Need help understanding how this tanto is dated...please.

[John C]

Hello:

The information on this Naotane tanto reads "age 80" Ansei year 2 (1855) dragon 8th month (I believe).

Here's the issue (seller not withstanding): Naotane died in 1857 at age 79. How could he have been 80 in 1855? Am I reading the dates wrong?

In addition, Ansei year 2 was the year of the rabbit not dragon, which was Ansei 3 (1856).

Can anyone please shed some light on what might be going on? Is it totally gimei or am I not reading this correctly. 

https://www.ebay.com/itm/145142940110

Thank you,

John C.

[DoTanuki yokai]

Simple answer it is Gimei but I did not make the effort to translate it myself. 
for comparison https://static.wixst...aotane_Wakizashi.jpg

[xiayang]

It probably is gimei, but apparently Naotane did have a habit of rounding up or down his age to an auspicious number.   Markus Sesko wrote an article about that here: https://markussesko....nes-odd-aging-habit/

 

  Quote

... in the [...] year of Ansei two, when he was actually 78 kazoedoshi years old, he occasionally upped his age by two years even, inscribing certain blades with “made at the age of 80.”

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[John C]

Thank you for the links. I guess that explains why the mei date does not match his actual age. 

Much appreciated,

John C.

[ChrisW]

There is always a chance it is gimei; however, as Jan points out, Naotane was well known for rounding his age up. Several other smiths did this as well and the article by Markus Sesko should explain it nicely!

It looks like a nice piece, would you mind showing the rest to us? I bet the workmanship matches to what Naotane did.

[John C]

  On 6/20/2023 at 4:29 PM, ChrisW said:

would you mind showing the rest to us?

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The link to the auction is in the first post. The hamon appears to be saguha, which seems simplistic for Naotane to me.

John C.

[DoTanuki yokai]

The Sayagaki looks like a fake to me and the horimono is not bad but not the quality of Naotane works. Also the blade is more tired then other examples I have seen. 
The pictures does not really allow to judge the quality of the blades steel.

Just seeing how the price is rising I wonder what others think about this piece ? 
 

I thought big name from Japan with green papers are suspicious is already common sense knowledge 

[John C]

Update: the tanto sold for 5,450 dollars.

John C.

[ROKUJURO]

Seller was KOMONJO.....

[DKR]

  On 6/26/2023 at 9:45 PM, ROKUJURO said:

Seller was KOMONJO.....

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And ?

What do you mean by that ?

[Brian]

Means it was already checked out in Japan and is 99.9% gimei.

[ROKUJURO]

I just found it necessary to mention it as it was not mentioned before. I have learned that KOMONJO has a certain reputation which makes it necessary (or advisable) for a potential buyer to look carefully at his offers.

Personally, I would not hesitate to buy from him, but I would keep my expectations on a realistic level.