Kunikane genuine of fake mei on katana

[Scott B]

Hi was hoping if someone may have some insight as to whether this blade mei is genuine or otherwise.

kind regards

Scott B

 

[leo]

Hi, Scott!

 

I do not have my oshigata books with me, but this combination of kanji is not typical for the shodai. Also the mon engraving is missing.

 

It must not be fake though because as you probably know the 9th generation signed that way:

奥州仙臺住若林住國包作 Oshu Sendai Ju Wakabayashi Ju Kunikane Saku

 

Obviously the blade has seen some rust at a time which was removed. Is there any activity to be seen?

 

Regards, Martin

[Jean]

Does the work fit the smith is the first question to ask ....

[Jacques D.]

Hi,

 

I've never seen a Kunikane with the ji kuni engraved in this manner.

[Scott B]

thanks very much for your replies guys, unfortunately the blade is lightly scratched over basically the whole length and unfortunately an amateur like me cannot see what you guys can. (does it fit the work in question) what are kunikane characteristics of wokmanship and do these characteristics carry through the lineage of that smith, I believe one kunikane charcteristic is masame, what else would you look for on a kunikane blade?

 

thanks again

 

 

Scott B

[Jean]

Kunikane lived Kokubu Wakabayahi (Sendai Jōka, a town below the Sendai Castle), and he is said to be the last descendant of Hoshō Sadamune. In the beginning his was Genzō, and this was later changed to Hongo Kichinosuke. At the command of Date Masamune Kunikane went to Kyoto and entered the Mon of Kyō Etchu no Kami Masatoshi. In the next year, in Genna (Genwa) Gannen Shigatsu (1615 1st year 4th month), the battle of Osaka came about, and Kunikane returned to his kuni and practiced the trade of swordsmithing. It is said that in the second year of the same era (1616) he again entered the Mon of Masatoshi, ended his apprenticeship in the fifth year of this same era (1619) and returned. It is said that he received the title of Yamashiro no Daijō in Kan'ei Yonen (1627), but this is already seen in his works of Kan'ei Sannen in (1626). For this reason, his receiving the title must be in accordance with his works. He became a lay priest in Kan'ei Jūgonen (1638) and was named Yōkei. In Shōhō Ninen (1645) he turned over his business to his chakushi Kichizamemon and retired. He passed away in Kanbun Yonen (1664) Jūnigatsu at 73. His works have a high shinogi, beautiful masame hada, itame hada, komidare hamon, hamon medium suguba with sunagashi entwined in the hada, and the bōshi is in the yakizume style.

 

 

Masamune and Kunikane are equals in quality as each are rated Sai Jō Saku (the highest rating) - "Most Superior Made" in Fujishiro's. Rated at 80 points in Hawley's Japanese Swordsmiths. His blades are rated "Saijō Ōwazamono" (Upper Best Supreme Sharpness)

 

http://www.samuraisword.com/nihonto/TBH ... /index.htm

[Jacques D.]

Hi,

 

Masamune and Kunikane are equals in quality as each are rated Sai Jō Saku (the highest rating) -

 

 

[Peter Bleed]

There are a great many bad Kunikane signatures out there, largely because the Kunikane 1 successfully started a long line of smiths that survived and was supported by the Date family. There were 14 generations in the main line. They practiced the style of the founder and enjoyed official support. The middle generations produced mumei swords that went right into the armory of the Date family. (Sendai meikan lists NO legitmate signatures from the 4th to 10th generations.) After the Meiji Restoration those unsigned swords were sold to an antiques dealer - apparently in Sendai - who had them signed --- mainly with the Master's name. Dealers refer to these as "Sendai Atobori." They can be viewed as "school"swords, but those "after signatures" are being removed nowadays. That is, they are being treated like "gimei."

I am as sure as I can be that the sword that got this discussion started is not the work of Kunikane 1.

Peter

[leo]

Interesting information you have there about the fate of the later generation Kunikane blades, Peter.

Any literature about this you can recommend?

 

Greetings, Martin

[Jean]

In fact, between Hosho, Kunikane, Kiyondo, there are some differences in the manner of treating masame. The best is Hosho very tight, Kunikane can have small openings between the layers, not ware strictly in its sense, just less tight due to their forging tradition, in Kiyondo you'll find intertwinned nie between the layers.

[Stephen]

Known Peter for more years than i care to admit to, i take his word on Kunikane anyday.

[Scott B]

Thankyou very much for your insight guys, just to let you know that this blade returned from the pacific (Rabaul) in gunto mounts, it has sentimental value and im guessing from your comments on the mei not much more, judging from the condition that you see how do you think it would polish up?

 

Scott B

[Toryu2020]

Scott et al-

Coming back to this a little late, but wanted to highlight something Jacques pointed out earlier. The most important point I think, and that is the KUNI character is wrong for this artist. Peter may correct me but I am pretty sure this is true for all generations;

the Kunikane smiths used; 國　and not this kuni: 国

 

The lack of a date and the uneven pitting on the nakago are also not good signs - a polish is an expensive proposition, then again a polisher friend once said "every sword, deserves a good polish..."

-t