Yanone Signatures

[KuraiValo]

Hello,

 

I am need of help with some Yanone translations. I have no clue and would like to learn as much on them as possible.

 

Signature 1a

 

Signature 1b

 

Signature 2a

 

Signature 2b

 

Signature 3

 

Signature 4, this is probably a stretch.

 

Signature 5, not really a signature, but any help understanding the lacquered parts or meaning of this Yanone.

 

I'm looking for any help with translation, documentation to read up on, or anything you can provide. Thank you for taking a look.

[Bugyotsuji]

Be prepared for bad news.

Except for the second-to-last which may be of some merit, the rest look new, and possibly Chinese. The signatures do not like right to me either.

[KuraiValo]

  On 11/27/2023 at 5:20 AM, Bugyotsuji said:

Be prepared for bad news.

Except for the second-to-last which may be of some merit, the rest look new, and possibly Chinese. The signatures do not like right to me either.

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I hope that isn't the case. The first, second, and last Yanone were all bought directly from the personal collection of a reputable sword dealer in Japan when I was over there. I mean that doesn't necessarily mean they are legit but I would expect the other to be more likely Chinese or Indian fakes.

 

Is the main reason you believe they may be new or Chinese the general condition of them? Also, what about the signatures don't look right? Sorry, just trying to learn and if I made a mistake I don't want to again. Thank you.

[Bugyotsuji]

It’s something you pick up over the years of handling real ones and making the mistake of buying fakes.

These big arrowheads for example are really quite expensive so they are often faked, some so well that many of the dealers themselves cannot tell the difference. I have made the same mistake, and through showing them to people, seeing their reactions, and thinking hard, I have built up a sixth sense. How many times have I had to bite the bullet? But as someone in Japan once told me, its Jugyōryō授業料, learning fees.

 

Everyone will tell you something different though. Besides, there is not a lot of reference material out there on arrowheads (normally here they are called Yajiri but the classical word Yanone crops up in the literary and artistic world) and there is almost nothing known about their signatures, even less is known than those on spearheads.

 

As to the first two signatures they are badly written and badly proportioned imho. Let’s see what others say. (This is all just one person’s feeling so far; if you look at my earlier post there are no absolute statements in it.)

[Matsunoki]

@KuraiValo

Sorry to say I am also sceptical on all of these except “signature 4” 

They have all (except 4) been given a very harsh abrasive finish and the signatures do not look like genuine Japanese calligraphy to me. The usual surface finish on these is usually akin to a sword polish as they often have a hamon. However it does appear that several have had past deep rust…..maybe that’s the reason for the heavy abrasions? Would a reputable sword dealer allow them to remain in this degraded condition?….I don’t know.

Many “fakes” of these are being made convincingly in India …….it’s a minefield. 
put  Yanone into eBay.com and see what turns up….especially from India. There were quite a few on there couple of months ago. 
there was also another thread on here…..have a search. 
Hope I’m wrong.

 Colin

[KuraiValo]

@Bugyotsuji

 

Thank you for the reply. The hard part is just not knowing, but I also understand it's hard to know with absolute certainty. I hope to continue to learn how to better tell and this may just be one of the learning fees as you stated.

 

@Matsunoki

 

Thank you for the reply. I do know that this was a small amount of his collection. I bought 3 different ones out of roughly 20. Some of the others were rope cutters, similar ones to the 3 and 4th shown, and others were more basic arrow shapes. All in various conditions from fairly rough/rusted to immaculately polished. I am assuming they were put up and stored as is since it took a little time to find them.

 

Also, thank you for the information on the ones on ebay from India. I was aware of those. I was told by another collector once to always look at the area were the tang meets the arrowhead itself. That is one area that is usually poorly replicated, but I don't know how well that holds true. Truthfully, I also hope you are wrong as well but it's not looking too likely. Thanks again for the information and help.

[Brian]

Many if not most of the good ones have nakago that are not square. The edges are visibly chamfered. Not sharp.

[Higo-san]

Signature 4 may read 高来 (Korai). Is there a 越前 (Echizen) on the other side?

 

Kind regards 

 

Chris

[KuraiValo]

  On 11/29/2023 at 5:36 PM, Higo-san said:

Signature 4 may read 高来 (Korai). Is there a 越前 (Echizen) on the other side?

 

Kind regards 

 

Chris

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Thank you very much. I think you have it. It's impossible to read the other side fully, as seen below, but after comparing to another Yanone with his signature it looks really close.