Authentic Ikeda Yasumitsu or perfect fake?

[Roland]

Dear fellows,

 

At the moment I'm investigating a Yasukuni-to which I'm interested in. I received a lot of photos from the guy offering it. Sugata, nakago-jiri, hamon etc. would fit for (Ikeda) Yasumitsu. The blade is dated August 1938. But I'm not experienced enough in the appraisal of Yasukuni-to to decide if the chiseled mei and date are authentic. As you know the swords of the Yasukuni shrine are often faked like all Nihonto...

 

So I would highly appreciate your comments on this blade's mei- and date-chiseling and perhaps other details you observe (chisel-marks, too mint-like condition of the nakago, whatever). If necessary I could show further photos of the blade itself.

 

I've combined some pictures I found at artswords.com and from John Slogh's Book "Modern Japanese Swordsmiths"...

 

 

[SwordGuyJoe]

While the mei and date have some variation, in my opinion they are either authentic or the carver is VERY good at carving this mei and date style. The yasurime are kiri (horizontal), so that matches. Since there are no pictures, the other things that you would be looking for is a kengata nakago-jiri and suguha hamon. If either of these two qualifiers are not met, in my opinion this is a very good gimei. If it meets both of those, then in my humble opinion, this blade is legitimate.

[Roland]

Thanks a lot, Joe, for your positive opinion.

 

Yes indees, the blade has a kengata nakago-jiri and a really nice suguha hamon. Everything fits from this side. May be I'm a little bit too cautious :-) But you know yourself how compelx the matter Nihonto is – we all are just "sorcerer's apprentice"...

[SwordGuyJoe]

Especially since a faked Yasumitsu would be a pretty expensive lesson!

[Chishiki]

Hi Roland. When you ask for opinions you will invariably get differing ones. My opinion is that the Mei does not look correct. The way it has been cut does not look good, too heavy, too many variables when compared to the genuine examples. Also it is positioned slightly too high.

 

If you were to ask my advice I would say 'avoid this sword' until you get more expert opinions before parting with your money. There are fake gendaito about, I think this may be one of them.

 

Regards

 

Mark

[Mark]

the yasuri seem too fine or light, it gives the impression that it was cleaned. Yasukuni swords i have seen have clear yasuri

[Roland]

Thanx a lot, guys, as it seems you confirm my gut instincts. The risks of an aquisition without having inspected the blade with my own eyes is just too high.

 

Long live the NMB!