Kanemoto (another auction)

[Nick Theo]

Hello friends, 

 

I wanted to share with you a Wakizashi that I recently won at auction. Grateful to learn anything you might share about it. 

Papered by NTBHK in 1953 as Kanemoto. 
 

Thank you for your time.

[Lewis B]

Did someone paint the nakago? That looks odd. And I'm not familiar with the older papers, but wouldn't the Mei be seen on the oshigata as I assume its produced by pencil rubbing?

[Nick Theo]

4 minutes ago, Lewis B said:

If you look closely at the rubbing the name can be seen. It’s quite faint. 
 

I believe the nakago is just tarnished from poor care. Not painted.  

[Ray Singer]

It looks like the mei might be a more recent addition, and there was an attempt a repatination. Not red paint, but it's strange and suspicious that the nakago is only repaired in the area of the mei. 

 

I can vaguely see the mei in the kicho ninteisho. Please show a clear straight on view of the papers. 

[Ray Singer]

Ninteisho reads 別人. Perhaps this is intended as a similar meaning to 'kuni fumei'. 

[Nick Theo]

[Nick Theo]

[Lewis B]

Yes I can see a very faint impression of the Mei in the closeup. 

[Ray Singer]

Other reference to 別人, which does seem to be similar in intention to 'kuni fumei' or 'kodai':

 

 

 

 

[Bugyotsuji]

別人 would be ‘not THE Kanemoto’. (= but a different one.)

[Ray Singer]

Makes sense and that's not something I have seen in a recent kanteisho. Today, I think, the attribution on an NBTHK kanteisho for a koto blade which does not pinpoint a specific Kanemoto would be something like:

• Kanemoto (kodai)

All that aside, being a sword sold at auction with only deprecated papers and suspicious appearance to the nakago, the mei should be looked at with caution.