Chiselled vs. Cut Mei

[Stu W]

Hello,

 

It has been suggested to me that this mei has been cut, rather than chiselled, indicating it's gimei. When I compare it to known papered swords, with clearly chiselled mei, it does indeed look differently applied. I'm not familiar though with how one would "cut" such a mei.

 

If any of you sharped eyed folks can have a look at these two photos and comment I'd appreciate it. How do you think it was done?

 

Kind regards,

Stu

 

 

[cabowen]

I think it was chiseled, just very poorly done with a rather blunt ended chisel...

[Stu W]

Hello Chris,

 

I've enlarged these photos greatly and believe that I can see what you mean. Thanks, I appreciate the help.

 

Regards,

Stu

[Lee Bray]

Patina looks chemically added, too, in my opinion.

[Ken-Hawaii]

No sign of yasurime, either.

[george trotter]

Just my opinion from the pics. I would err on the side of caution...I don't like the "look" of this smooth, even surface...no chisel's pillow...faint/no yasuri....newer? "drill hole" on edge of mekugi-ana...At best, this nakago looks IMHO as if it has been smoothed or filed down and has re-acquired some patina or been re-patinated....if it has been machi okuri or suriage or perhaps re-shaped/slimmed down to fit a kyu-gunto tsuka then may be ok. Can you show us an overall pic of the nakago?

At worst, the shape, direction, curves, stroke numbers and the the shape of the kanji stroke ends etc are a worry....suggests imitation mei of some kind.

George.

[Danocon]

As you all know the way a Mei is normally chiseled is that the tool is held slightly off of vertical so the the back edge is in contact with the work. The smith strikes a blow making a small mark then repositions very slightly and does it again. This leaves the characteristic series of marks in the bottom of the cut.

 

This was cut with a graver. A graver cuts like wood carving chisel taking a chip out almost parallel with the bottom.

 

The shape of the graver is that the bottom is V shape and the front is a blunt angle.

 

Look at the lower right stroke of top character of the kato.jpg.

 

You can see where the cutter enters to the right it leaves a V shaped entry form. On the left or end of the stroke it is square from the square end.

 

This is typical throughout the signature. On strokes that show a V shape on both ends the graver was entered from each end meeting somewhere in the middle.

 

My opinion anyway.