Fake Kunimichi 出羽大掾國路 ?

[Mikaveli]

From a Facebook listing - caught my eye but don't think it's a genuine signature...

 

...too cheap and unpapered, obviously:

 

Here's the suspect mei along with two papered ones, let's see if your appraisal matches mine:

 

 

[Alex A]

Id start with the blade itself, hamon, hada etc etc

[Mikaveli]

24 minutes ago, Alex A said:

Id start with the blade itself, hamon, hada etc etc

 

The blade itself looks quite tired / out of polish - so it's difficult (for me at least) to tell. I kinda interpreted it as another red flag, obfuscating the quality of the blade.

 

The seller knows how much a genuine blade could sell for, but won't get it polished / sent to shinsa (citing current finances). Plausible, true - but another red flag to me.

[Alex A]

Aye, in that situation you have to assume its gimei

 

Even if the mei was a good match, perhaps some faker did a good job.

[Jacques D.]

There are two generations of Kunimichi. 

[Mikaveli]

1 hour ago, Jacques D. said:

There are two generations of Kunimichi. 

Potentially - that'd certainly explain the differences in signature and workmanship.

 

In Sesko's index, he states that some sources list two generations, because of the long period of output (Genna-Kanbun) - but I don't know enough to confirm or deny this.

[sugopomedoro]

If I’m not mistaken that post has been updated as some collectors and dealers as well as members of the uk society have given it a thumbs up. I don’t think the seller will let it go now pending a final inspection by the Japanese. 

[Mikaveli]

10 hours ago, sugopomedoro said:

If I’m not mistaken that post has been updated as some collectors and dealers as well as members of the uk society have given it a thumbs up. I don’t think the seller will let it go now pending a final inspection by the Japanese. 

I'll be interested to see the outcome.

 

I do think the mei is different - whether it's a second generation, or just a variation I have no comparison to.

 

Looks like the nakago has been cleaned at the least? It's quite bright in that area.

[sugopomedoro]

7 hours ago, Mikaveli said:

I'll be interested to see the outcome.

 

I do think the mei is different - whether it's a second generation, or just a variation I have no comparison to.

 

Looks like the nakago has been cleaned at the least? It's quite bright in that area.

I don’t think the Polish is that bad I saw a comment by Yakiba , and he almost did 180° turnaround on it, when he realised that it had been appraised in hand by a polisher.

 

Mei wise look at this and compare. It’s beginning to peak my interest.
 

Mei looks good comparable to this

[sugopomedoro]

I spoke to the seller today and the Mei has been appraised as genuine in Japan by photos. Perhaps the title of this thread needs to be changed 😂 

 

now that it’s been appraised he is no longer selling and will send for shinsa. 

[2devnul]

"Mei has been appraised as genuine in Japan by photos"

 

Hi, how can you do that? I mean, check via email/photos?

[Mikaveli]

1 hour ago, 2devnul said:

"Mei has been appraised as genuine in Japan by photos"

 

Hi, how can you do that? I mean, check via email/photos?

Even then, by who?

 

Anonymous t'interweb appraisals aren't something I'd rely upon. If it turns up with an NBTHK kanteisho, I'll accept it. 👍

[Alex A]

You guys have obviously never heard of Meicheck.jp

 

Or avoidagimei,com

[cju777]

On 12/11/2023 at 5:21 AM, Jacques D. said:

There are two generations of Kunimichi. 

A lot of the literature mentions that especially some of the older books, but I do want to note in some of the Japanese journals and such there is debate if there was actually two generations or just his long working life and variety. 
 

I gathered a lot of info when my Kunimichi was papered. Once I dig it out I can share a thread on it. I’m not convinced on the one vs. two generations myself, until I read up again. But a good academic discussion for sure. 

[cju777]

My papered example-

 

 

[sugopomedoro]

On 1/3/2024 at 4:15 PM, Mikaveli said:

Even then, by who?

 

Anonymous t'interweb appraisals aren't something I'd rely upon. If it turns up with an NBTHK kanteisho, I'll accept it. 👍

Agreed but I don’t use names lightly. Keep an eye open this one is going for shinsa. 

[sugopomedoro]

On 1/5/2024 at 10:24 PM, cju777 said:

My papered example-

 

 

Beautiful thanks for sharing