Gimei?

[Davis]

I appreciate the pictures are not very good.  If this signature is authentic this sword would have been forged between 1664 when he received the title and 1721 when he died.  Unfortunately, I can't read Japanese, don't have the knowledge or the necessary references to make that call.  So I have assumed it's gimei, am I correct?

[Lewis B]

Not a good sign when the kanji are chiseled over corrosion. I say gimei.

[Rivkin]

Generally I would not feel strongly about declaring someone at this level a gimei, but even without hitting the books the signature is very condensed on one side though it uses only a portion of the nakago. Its not condensed on the other side, where fewer kanji occupy about the same length.

It is filled with strokes which are miniaturized, weak and angled, a generally poor calligraphy unworthy of a serious shinto smith.

Yes, I would vote for gimei.

[Geraint]

Dear Mick.

 

I always feel that this school has quite distinctive handwriting.  If you compare here, (From Aoi Art), of note are that your example has a downwards slope to the left, the papered one is very straight, individual kanji are looser and, of course not a Bizen nakago shape.  So, good call.

 

All the best.

 

[Davis]

Thank you all for your comments and Geraint, the comparison.  Before I posted, I had read here on NMB comments made by Guido Schiller on this smith.  I had no expectations.  This sword was an unexpected find in a very sleepy state.  I can imagine it had laid unforgotten in a loft or cupboard for several decades.  The blade ( fortunately ) covered in thick grease, tsuba almost black rust and kashira hanging by a thread, overall koshirae in understated nautical theme.  Covered in dirt and grime.  It was a good price and in my opinion worthy of collection.  Thank you for your help.

[Davis]

Same subject, different sword.  I have limited reference material so would welcome opinions.

[Rivkin]

I am bad at reading kanji, but this looks like Muneyoshi 宗榮 which can also go as Soei.

The style of yasurime and patina - from Kambun to WW2 period.

The problem is that yasurime and nakago generally look ok for Harima lineage, but the writing does not really match its style. Otherwise its not a common name and I don't really see any matches. On the other hand the writing itself does not scream "gimei", but its not of great quality.

This is where going through books would help, there were many generations and maybe one signed like this. 

[Shugyosha]

On 9/5/2024 at 10:34 PM, Lewis B said:

Not a good sign when the kanji are chiseled over corrosion. I say gimei.

 

Isn't that chalk/ talcum powder on the tang to show up the mei?

[Lewis B]

1 hour ago, Shugyosha said:

 

Isn't that chalk/ talcum powder on the tang to show up the mei?

Could well be but I was looking at the ring of corrosion around the mekugi hole that appears to have had little impact on the integrity of the chisel marks. 

[Shugyosha]

Ah - I see what you mean. 

[Davis]

John, hopefully this picture will show up the area of corrosion much better.  Kirill, thanks for that information, this sword ( 2nd ) also has mitsumune.

[Shugyosha]

Hi Mick,

Based on the photo of the first blade you've just posted, I don't think that the mei is a later addition than the corrosion. Some water has got into the tsuka and caused that corrosion around the mekugi ana and you can see the same coloured rust at the bottom of the strokes of the kanji adjacent to it. That said, I think Kirill's comments about the quality of the carving of the mei are valid and the shape of the nakago/ nakago jiri as per Geraint's comments would put me off - some more authenticated examples below. It's a biggish name, so a target for gimei - so if you're going to buy it, pay a price consistent with it being an unsigned blade.

 

https://www.samuraim...u-hozon-certificate/

http://sanmei.com/co...nts/en-us/p2348.html

https://nihontoantiq...esada-sword-fss-760/

 

As regards the second one, I feel that's the more interesting of the two based on the photos shown: mitsu mune usually suggests that more care has been taken over the blade's manufacture and is often considered a nod towards smiths working in the Soshu tradition, and the double hi seems to add a graceful look to the blade but it's hard to tell much more from these pictures alone

 

If you're genuinely considering buying either or both of these blades then you need some better photos of the full blade and detail shots including the boshi, hamon and jigane and their measurements too as that feeds into an evaluation of the price. If you can see them in hand too, so much the better.

[Davis]

Thanks very much for your reply and those links John.  I own both swords.  The first was bought very cheap.  I've had the Munehide/Muneyoshi for many years and still don't understand what I actually have, it's an enigma. Downside to it is that it does have some tiny rusts pots.  I will provide a few more details when time permits.  This picture doesn't show much, I will attempt to do better.  Thanks for your responses.

[Davis]

This was a description of the sword given to me years ago by a collector/author.

[Shugyosha]

Hi Mick,

I had a bit of a google to see if there were any other examples by the second smith on-line but had no joy (you've probably done this already). I only turned up one thing of interest and I don't know if it adds anything to what you already know, but there was also a Muneyoshi working in Harima around Kanbun. He seems to have used several longer-form signatures, so that might eliminate him as a possible maker, but it might possibly add a little to the picture.

 

https://nihontoclub....ith_signature_value=

 

[Davis]

Thanks for your response and efforts John.  This sword has been packed away for over a decade.  I've only recently started studying it again.  I think that it's a fine blade but I don't have the knowledge to pin it down to a particular smith.  Years ago someone suggested to me, first generation Munehide, this really confused me. I realised then, after many years of collecting I was totally ignorant and would never truly understand Japanese swords.  As for gimei??  Thanks everyone for your help.