Rekko

[mywei]

Just thought I'd share this rare Mito Rekko katana for reference even though its not actually for sale - https://www.seiyudo.com/ka-100823.htm

Interesting characteristic hada

 

Makes you wonder if he wasn't so busy (presumably) enjoying being a nobleman he would have been a much more influential smith of the Shinto period.

 

[Bugyotsuji]

Hmmm... strange that they tell you for display purposes only and not for sale, but then supply the order buttons etc.

[mywei]

Probably waiting for someone to offer an 'appropriate price' for it 

[Bruce Pennington]

SOMEBODY H'EP ME!!!

 

What 'da heck is this?

[Bugyotsuji]

"Aoi Mon Kuzushi", (?) then "Rekko", it says. 

 

(To me it looks more like a Yuki snow flake Mon which you see on the imperial palace storehouse during coronation ceremonies.)

[Bruce Pennington]

8 minutes ago, Bugyotsuji said:

Aoi Mon

Please bear with my massive ignorance - but the image I always see for "Aoi mon" is

 

Is this a variation of it?

[mywei]

I believe this was the Mon of the Mito Tokugawa clan (Rekko aka Tokugawa Nariaki was the 9th head of the clan)

also known as the 'clock mon' due it its appearance

 

Another for reference https://www.samurai-...net/SHOP/V-1792.html

 

[Bugyotsuji]

The first link contains an explanation in Japanese from an issue of the NBTHK magazine: 刀　葵紋崩し　烈公 (KA-100823)｜刀・日本刀の販売なら日本刀専門店の【銀座 誠友堂】 (seiyudo.com)

 

It would take me while to read the whole thing...

 

And Matt's second link says this, mentioning it being based on a Kiku chrysanthemum: 特筆すべきは、第一目釘穴の上中央に十八葉の変わり菊花紋を彫ることです。　水戸では古来より『葵崩し紋』と呼び、一般的には時計のように見えるため、『時計紋』とも呼ばれます。しかしながら、幕末以降、この紋の入った贋作が多数出回っており、正真確実な作は滅多にお目に掛かりません。

 

 

[Bruce Pennington]

Translated:

"It is worth mentioning that the eighteen-leaf changing chrysanthemum flower crest is carved in the center of the top of the first nail hole. In Mito, it has been called "Aoi Breaking-Crest" since ancient times, and it is also called "Clock Crest" because it generally looks like a clock. However, since the end of the Edo period, there have been many forgeries with this crest on the market, and it is rare to see a work that is authentic."

 

Thanks guys!  Never seen this one before.  I'll put it into the Stamps doc with the other Kiku/Aoi.

[PNSSHOGUN]

There is a dim recollection that the Mon may have been a nod to the swords of the Goban Kaji