Imperial Chrysanthemum mon

[Aaron Justice]

Hello Folks,

 

been a while since I posted here. I asked for identification on a mei a while ago on a blade I decided to sell on eBay. My decision to sell it wasn't involved in my postings here, but I got a message on eBay from a member from here who accused me of using NMB to gain info to benefit myself on a sale. I didn't bother to respond because I don't have any interest in arguing with people and justifying my actions and timing. Anyone who knows me knows I constantly move swords to fund other projects, or simply tire of owning the piece.

 

Anyways, I decided to show my face again to further benefit myself from this free online service, mwah ha ha...

 

Not really. Bought a nihonto on SFI a bit ago. Freakishly monstrous blade, Shinshinto era, signed Kanemichi, and with an Imperial Chrysantemum Mon. I have a half dozen reference books, none have any info on Imperial Mon except for one which only briefly identifies one on a nakago. Searching online has only turned up pics for me, and a general explanation of the Chrysanthemum mon in relation to the Imperial family, but not the significance of one on a nakago.

 

The Chrysanthemum is a little off center, and the design varies a bit from the ones I've seen. However, I've seen some with a larger center, flower stems and leaves, and even a star for the center, so I guess I am asking if anyone can translate the nakago to see if everything seems in place.

 

Now, just some info on the blade. 30 inch nagasa, 35mm wide at the motohaba, about 28 or 29 at the sakihaba. 9mm thick at the mune of the motohaba, almost 11mm thick at the shinogi. Stays very thick, about 6.5-7mm, all the way before it forms the kissaki. I have no idea the weight, but I am guess near 4 pounds. This is one masive nihonto, either for a much larger than average Samurai (it is comparable to a large two handed sword in weight) or possibly a temple blade. Purchased by Rick Barrett at a San Francisco sword show, polished by Brandon Thell, then mounted, oddly, by persons unknown. The shirasaya was reshaped into a saya. The blade is so large that carving a new saya would have been a nightmare for even some experienced wood workers, so I guess just shaping the shirasaya was tempting. The tsuka was a bit of a joke, it had a 40mm fuchi on it, and a 10.5 inch long tsuka. This blade needs at least a 13 - 14 inch tsuka, and a minimum 42mm fuchi as the old one was dwarfed by the size of the saya throat. Interesting project.

[Jacques D.]

Hi,

 

Omote mei reads Iga no kami Fujiwara Kinmichi 伊賀守藤原金道

Ura mei reads Nihon Kaji sosho 日本鍜冶惣匠

Mishina school.

[John A Stuart]

I think Iga no Kami Fujiwara Kinmichi, nidai yes?. John

[Aaron Justice]

Oh, geez, I already had all the info. he posted two classifieds when selling it, one has all the info I was looking for.

 

It is signed:

 

Iga no kami fujiwara Kinmichi (omote side) [made by Kanemichi, belonging to the Fujiwara family and bearing the honorific title of governor of Iga province]

Nihon kaji Sosho (ura) [Master (chief) swordsmith of Japan]

 

With chrysanthemum Mon, possibly gimei.

 

Belonging to the Fujiwara family and bearing the title of Governor of Iga province... would this then be a presentation piece as opposed to one made for use? The length and size match that of a large Nanbokucho blade that late Edo pieces were often designed after, but the thickness is almost double that of even a decently thick nihonto.

[watsonmil]

Dear Aaron,

Almost certainly a Gimei of Iga no kami Fujiwara Kinmichi. The poorly cut Chrysanthemum is the first indication. The discrepencies in the signature strokes to known genuine signatures is evident as well. Perhaps someone else more knowledgable in scanning and posting could post a comparison for you.

... Ron Watson

[John A Stuart]

Done.

[Jacques D.]

Hi,

 

I think the Kinmichi provided by John is not the right one, if i recall well in shinshinto times, there were one or two Kinmichi using Kiku mon, the same mei and the Nihon kaji Sosho mention.

[Aaron Justice]

Thanks for the info. I thought the Chrysanthemum mon looked a bit iffy. It is still a serious piece of tamahagane restored by a (once) great polisher. Won't get into the ugliness there.

 

I'm getting it fully mounted soon. It was kind of half heartedly mounted before, this time it will be done correctly.