Tomoshige Wakizashi, but Which One?

[drac2k]

I sent some phone pictures of this sword to my very knowledgeable friend and he identified it as a Tomoshige signature, but based on my poor pictures, he couldn't pin down which one. There were 400 years of Tomoshige Swordsmiths and I was hoping that someone could pin the right one down.

[robinalexander]

Just a small thing David but correct orientation of nakago makes it easier for those translating 🙂

[drac2k]

Thanks for straightening and cleaning up the picture for me!

[Rivkin]

Just from the geometry this looks no earlier than 1520.

[drac2k]

Thanks. That helps as it knocks out more than 100 years of Tomoshige Swordsmiths.

[gordpete]

David, allow me to add my two cents worth. As noted, there are a lot of smiths signing the Tomoshige name. Fujishiro has oshigata for the Ôei Tomoshige (3rd gen.) and the Meiô Tomoshige (5th gen.) Although the Meikan gives dates for some of the other Kotô smiths, there are very few published oshigata with these dates. This makes it very difficult to pin down exactly which Tomoshige you have. Also, your Tomoshige does not have the classic Kaga nakago-jiri, which adds another problem for dating. I am presently in the States and do not have access to my library in Japan where I have the Kashû Kotô Taikan, which has a lot of Tomoshige oshigata. Nonetheless, I would suspect that dating this sword will be very difficult.

[drac2k]

Thank you for your informative comments; as a novice I'm learning that to pin down Japanese swords is like untying the "Gordian Knot."

[gordpete]

It is indeed. When I get back to Japan in October, I will check my references there and see it you are in luck.

[drac2k]

Thanks, I'll hold you to your promise, lol.

[Jussi Ekholm]

I would feel similarily to Kirill that late Muromachi is a plausible time guess.

 

I have been tracking signed items by early generations of Fujishima Tomoshige (Nanbokuchō - Early / early midish Muromachi). I believe I so far have 45 signature references, and only 1 tachi is signed 友重作 Tomoshige saku, and that signature is bit different to my eye .

[drac2k]

Thank you for your comments. So are you saying that the signature may be a forgery? Please understand that I take no offense if you are stating that to be your belief and if it is, I would really like to know. Since I didn't purchase the sword to be a Tomoshige, if it is not, no harm has been done.

[Jussi Ekholm]

Oh sorry if it came out that way. I do feel your sword could have a legitimate signature. By timeline I would think it could be potentially one of many Tomoshige smiths working during the late Muromachi period. I just don't think it would be work of the early & famous Fujishima Tomoshige smiths. I do think there were some Tomoshige smiths unrelated to Fujishima school too working during that period in time.

[drac2k]

No apologies are necessary; I always appreciate the opinions of people who comment on my swords. I don't take the observations on my items personally, especially since I'm a novice, I'm surprised when I don't screw up.lol.

Thanks for clearing that up for me.