Unusual way to conserve a mei.

[ironron]

I was looking on Mike. D. longs site, & spotted this unusual way of saving the mei on a shortened sword, any ideas on the mei.

 

 

Allso any ideas on this mei? Some kind soul!

[John A Stuart]

That is Kanesada 包貞. Where a signature is cut out and inlaid in the nakago is called gakumei, not that uncommon. John

[ironron]

Cheers john, does it devalue the sword, & can you id, any or both of them ?,

[John A Stuart]

The other signature is hard to read and I may be in error, ?州住武廣 ?shu Ju Takehiro. The gakumei would make the value less than an ubu nakago. John

[Ted Tenold]

Ron,

 

It should also be noted that a gakumei can be gimei (false) as those on unaltered nakago, and should be subject to the same diligence of research and authentication. However, gakumei must *also* be confirmed by the work in the blade as a good signature on a damaged or tired sword could be removed and installed on a non-related blade. Therefore it is subject to even more scrutiny in the lack of supporting official genuine documentation.

 

Be careful out there.

[ironron]

Ron,

 

It should also be noted that a gakumei can be gimei (false) as those on unaltered nakago, and should be subject to the same diligence of research and authentication. However, gakumei must *also* be confirmed by the work in the blade as a good signature on a damaged or tired sword could be removed and installed on a non-related blade. Therefore it is subject to even more scrutiny in the lack of supporting official genuine documentation.

 

Be careful out there.

Hi ted, it was on the smaller pair of daisho.i couldn't afford it at anyway,£5080. for the pair.Not on my pension.

[ironron]

The other signature is hard to read and I may be in error, ?州住武廣 ?shu Ju Takehiro. The gakumei would make the value less than an ubu nakago. John

John , here is a clearer image of the mei, that was difficult to read,its from the small sword, of the daisho above.

[John A Stuart]

Hi, it must be Sanshu 参州, 参川, which is Mikawa. John

[ironron]

Thanks john, you are a scholar & a gentlman.

[george trotter]

Not wishing to contradict anyone...but might this also be UJIHIRO?

Regards,

George

[John A Stuart]

I think you could be right George. 'Uji' certainly has a better fit to the strokes. John