Wakizashi Mei Assistance - Sukekane?

[KH195]

Hello all, still a novice and hoping for some assistance translating this Wakizashi mei.  Purchased this recently from a friend, as I was particularly attracted to the really nice crushed eggshell saya.  Friend didn’t know much about the blade, he thought it was koto period and his notes said “signed Yamato”.  Did my best trying to match it to the swordsmith index and I have no idea where Yamato came from, but it appears to my uneducated eye to be Sukekane.

助包

 

Hoping someone can confirm or deny.  

Thank you in advance and my apologies for the imperfect photo, only have seller photos as of now.

Thank you!

Kris H

[Peter Bleed]

Well, gee, I'd start by checking the SUKEKANE guys... Got a nice Bizen nakago

 

[KH195]

21 hours ago, Peter Bleed said:

Well, gee, I'd start by checking the SUKEKANE guys... Got a nice Bizen nakago

 

Well, sure, if my searching thus far had turned up any photos at all of similar two-character mei under Sukekane, however all I can seem to find reference to are works by Yokoyama Sukekane which are signed quite differently….hence my simple question here as a beginner in this hobby to make sure I’m even on the right path.  Thanks.

 

Kris H

[Peter Bleed]

Kris, 

Forgive me. I thought a useful first step might be to realize that the this signature may have been rendered  rather unusually. If you - and others - think this mei does, indeed, proport that this sword was made and signed  signed  katana-mei, by someone named Sukekane, you can then begin looking to see if it - in any way - conforms to one or another of the Sukekane smiths. And, gee there are a couple of really important smiths with that name who worked in Kamakura times. And then the name popped up later - like during the Sengoku era. In that regard, I thought it interesting - and maybe significant - that this sword seemed to me(!) to have a nakago like other late koto Bizen blades.

Clealry your sword deserves careful study. You are on the right path and now your challenge will be to assess the sword.

Peter

[KH195]

Just now, Peter Bleed said:

Kris, 

Forgive me. I thought a useful first step might be to realize that the this signature may have been rendered  rather unusually. If you - and others - think this mei does, indeed, proport that this sword was made and signed  signed  katana-mei, by someone named Sukekane, you can then begin looking to see if it - in any way - conforms to one or another of the Sukekane smiths. And, gee there are a couple of really important smiths with that name who worked in Kamakura times. And then the name popped up later - like during the Sengoku era. In that regard, I thought it interesting - and maybe significant - that this sword seemed to me(!) to have a nakago like other late koto Bizen blades.

Clealry your sword deserves careful study. You are on the right path and now your challenge will be to assess the sword.

Peter

Thank you Peter, I appreciate your guidance and insight.  As a beginner this study is somewhat daunting; much to learn.  I apologize if I came off as unappreciative.  The signature does appear unusual even to my untrained eye so I welcome any and all direction.  I’ll get some proper photos and see what I can learn.  Very much appreciate your time and comments!

[Bazza]

Kris,

I find a very useful 'sifting' tool for checking names is the nihontoclub website.  Here's the link to SUKEKANE, and that in conjunction with Dr Google might help you find other references:

https://nihontoclub.com/view/smiths/meisearch?type=All&mei_op=contains&mei=sukekane

 

It might also help pick up some oshigata if you put the kanji into a google search field.  If you get a 'hit' copy and paste the Japanese text into an online translation program:

助包   Good luck, BaZZa.

[KH195]

14 minutes ago, Bazza said:

Kris,

I find a very useful 'sifting' tool for checking names is the nihontoclub website.  Here's the link to SUKEKANE, and that in conjunction with Dr Google might help you find other references:

https://nihontoclub.com/view/smiths/meisearch?type=All&mei_op=contains&mei=sukekane

 

It might also help pick up some oshigata if you put the kanji into a google search field.  If you get a 'hit' copy and paste the Japanese text into an online translation program:

助包   Good luck, BaZZa.

Thank you as well BaZZa, I’ll give that a shot!