Help With This Kaō?

[ckaiserca]

Can anyone identify the member of the Honami family that signed with this Kaō?

 

It is part of the saya-gaki of a sword attributed to Chiyotsuru Morihiro. 

 

Thanks!

[Toryu2020]

Looks like Kochu 19th generation Ansei to Meiji but its not a good match...

[ckaiserca]

The sword also has a 1709 Origami from the 13th Generation Kochu that attributes the sword to Rai Kunimitsu who was Chiyotsuru Morihiro's father. The 2019 NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozen paper attributes the sword to Chiyotsuru Morihiro. Here are some photos of the full sayagaki:

 

[Bruce Pennington]

Is the kao on the blade, too?

 

I have never learned about sayagaki, and those who write them.  Were there particular craftsmen/individuals who did this?  Was it done by the shirasaya maker?  Many of them seem to use a kao, but I have not tracked them as I just haven't had the time to dive into another learning situation.

[ckaiserca]

1 hour ago, Bruce Pennington said:

Is the kao on the blade, too?

No.  Just on the saya.

[Toryu2020]

Here are the 11th and 19th generation - the 19th is Komei (Mitsuaki) 光昭 not Kochu...

[Toryu2020]

I don't think it is eleventh as sayagaki like this were not a thing during his time, has to be Komei but it is missing one stroke. However given the context I would say it is not a concern.

 

-t

[Nobody]

6 hours ago, Toryu2020 said:

Here are the 11th and 19th generation - the 19th is Komei (Mitsuaki) 光昭 not Kochu...

 

The 19th is Chumei (忠明) or Kochu (光仲).

[Toryu2020]

Right you are!