Significance of Chrysanthemum Mon on Nakago

[chinaski]

I know this has been covered here before, but is there a definitive answer on the Chrysanthemum engraving along with the Mei?  I have read that certain smiths were granted permission to use it, and others adopted different symbols as well.   I have also read that in some instances it indicates Gimei, but with my example I do not believe that is the case.  FWIW, it's an Edo Period Wakizashi with NTHK papers along with the worksheet.  Also, I do not believe the smith "Morihisa" would necessarily be worthy of faking...then again I have not dove too much into this particular blade/smith.   I added a few pics.  (Forgive me if I posted this in the wrong section) 

[SteveM]

One thing about false signatures is that unscrupulous dealers may put a signature - any signature - on a sword in order to give it the appearance of legitimacy, and value. They know that a signed sword is more attractive to a novice collector than a sword with no signature on it. That is one reason you see obscure names on swords. Another reason is that obscure smiths are slightly harder to validate, whereas a signature of a big name can be fairly easily compared against authenticated examples. 

 

The signature on your sword looks very unusual, and my first instinct is that it is written by someone who doesn't know the rules of writing Japanese. This is my gut feeling, but there are many unusual signature styles in Japan, so just take that as one opinion. I also notice it looks to be signed in tachi-mei style (signed on the outside of the tang when the sword is worn with the blade down). Its an unusual choice, but some smiths are known to have signed this way even into the Edo era. (I'd be curious to see the paper it got from the NTHK if you are not averse to posting it). 

 

The chrysanthemum mark would be applied under approval/sanction from the government. I don't know if Hyuga-no-kami Morihisa was allowed to use the mark. 

[chinaski]

Try this again.  

 

 

 

[SteveM]

OK - Thanks much. Very interesting. Noted as "meikan more" (not listed in any swordsmith index), so we're not likely to find any other examples of this smith's signature. Anyway, thanks for indulging me. 

[chinaski]

For sure!  That's very interesting about the Note "meikan more", I am a total noob and still learning.   This sword was acquired from a friend of Mr Yamasaki, so I am confident in its provenance.  That said, another mystery on this one I suppose.  

[SteveM]

If you are interested, the Southern California Sword Club meets once a month, and Mike Yamasaki is the usual lecturer (excepting when he isn't away in Japan). The club is happy to have people drop in and show the sword and get opinions. Mike would probably be amused to see a sword he owned nearly 30 years ago. Must have been when he first started collecting. Anyway, I'll leave the link for you to check out. 

 

https://www.facebook...m/NankaTokenKaiSoCal

 

[chinaski]

Very much appreciate the invite, and I have been wanting to attend a meeting.  My work hours recently shifted, so I unable in the short term, but I think I will request a day off one of these days and attend.  I had a brief conversation with him via Facebook messenger, and I believe he is aware that this sword is in my possession,  Would be really interesting to hear his take on it!  

[Bruce Pennington]

Anyone make out that date?  Closest I can see is '

Tem-mei (1781) 68

But that doesn't make any sense.

[chinaski]

1 hour ago, Bruce Pennington said:

Anyone make out that date?  Closest I can see is '

Tem-mei (1781) 68

But that doesn't make any sense.

 

The sword is in Sayagaki and I posted that in the translation section a day or so ago.  

 

Evidently that says the following (Thanks to member "Nobody"):

 

菊紋 = kikumon

 

太刀銘 = tachi mei

 

金剛日向守盛久 = Kongō Hyūga no Kami Morihisa

 

天明六八月日 = on a day in the eighth month of Tenmei 6 (1786 CE)

 

刃長 壱尺九寸壱分半有之= length: 1 shaku 9 sun 1.5 bu (~58.02 cm)

[Bugyotsuji]

Quote: (Thanks to member "Nobody")

 

Surely, you should thank somebody.

 

On the paper it does suggest: 'later Chikuzen Kongo Byoei school...'

Also seen, ...Moritaka, Morikuni, Morishige.

 

Maybe not relevant...

Nihonto Club

https://nihontoclub.com/smiths/MOR600

Morihisa - MOR600 | Nihonto Club

ウェブ日向守盛久. hyuga no kami morihisa. 金剛兵衛尉盛久. kongōbyōejō morihisa. 金剛兵衛尉源盛久. kongōbyōejō minamoto morihisa. Login or register to post comments; …

Active Period: 1521-1528

ID: MOR600

Era: Taiei (1521-1528)

Province: Chikuzen

[Mark S.]

I have a meikan-mori Kuwana ju Morishige.

 

I have to be honest, the mei on the OP’s original blade would have made me be hesitant to buy.  That is not a judgment about OP or the blade, just my ability with judging well cut mei vs not so well done.