Please Help with Translation of NTHK paper

[Edward G]

Good Afternoon All:

 

I am trying to translate the paper to determine hopefully what generation swordsmith I have. The date column is Kanbun (1661) however the third charater is an addition?

Anyway, my whole purpose is to try to determine which generation swordsmith Mishina Tango no Kami Fugiwara Kanemichi That I might have. I am hoping that this is the First Generation or the son of Yoshimichi that is highly rated by Hawley's at 60 points KAN1403 S-68-TK132. Please look at the papers and give me some information or opions......

 

 

 

 

 

Many Thanks

 

Edward G.

[Jacques D.]

Hi,

 

have a look here.

[Edward G]

Thank You Jacques for your reply, I have studied this previously, and my indications are that this is the descriptive Settsu province KaneMichi. The blade matches the description in Hawleys Large midare,Itame, Gnome-choji-as well as-the method of his signature. All this aside, I am wondering if the descriptive character beside the date on the papers puts this smith outside of the time period for his works?

 

Quote from Jacques referenced website: ( Reference Only - No plagurism intended)

http://www.nihontocraft.com/Mishina.html

 

 

Tango (no) Kami Kanemichi　丹後守兼道

 

1) Kanemichi, 1st generation, 1648, Settsu, ryo-wazamono, (Kiku) & Ichi Tango (no) Kami Naomichi (菊紋) 一 丹後守直道, Tango (no) Kami Kanemichi 丹後守兼道, Tango (no) Kami Fujiwara Kanemichi 丹後守藤原兼道, Mishina Tango (no) Kami Kanemichi 三品丹後守兼道, Mishina Tango (no) Kami Fujiwara Kanemichi 三品丹後守藤原兼道, Mishina Tango (no) Kami Naomichi 三品丹後守直道, Tango (no) Kami Fujiwara Rai Naomichi Saku 丹後守藤原来直道作. He's the third son of the first generation Kyo-Tanba. He was born in 1602. He died in 1672 at age 70. His early name was Naomichi. He received his title in 1625 and moved to Osaka. Ji-hada is ko-itame with ko-nie and chikei. Hamon styles are o-gunome choji and sudare ba with nie and deep nioi. There is also Kyo-yakidashi in his hamon and he's good at making suguha. He was one of the best Mishina smiths in Osaka.

 

IF PERHAPS THIS IS THE SMITH on the NTHK paper then I am in "High Cotton" with a good quality Point Smith. However, if it is ouside of the time-period then I am with another generation who signed the same.......I did ask if the Shinsa Team would indicate which generation, but, alas they declined to do so, as I understand. However, this being the case, then you can see why I am trying to research the date on the document so closely.

 

Jaques :Thanks for your input. Any opinions are certainly welcomed !!!

 

 

 

 

Edward G.

[cabowen]

the date on the papers reads kanbun goro 漢文頃　which means "around kanbun"....

[DirkO]

Hi Edward,

 

Would it be possible to post closeup pics of the mei? That way we would be able to compare...

[Edward G]

Thank you Dirk for your help & interest. Attached are two close-ups of the Mei

 

 

 

Edward G

[cabowen]

my impression is that the blade was shortened and the signature which was removed was added by the person who shortened the blade. This means the signature is not original....

[John A Stuart]

If so, Chris, without the smith inscribing that he did so, does this not make it gimei and would not paper. The origami does not mention that being the case. You are more aware of the NTHK's criteria, so, just wondering. John

[Surfson]

I have a shodai Kanemichi and the mei is definitely different. Yours also is lacking the kiku and ichi. I do agree that it shouldn't paper if it isn't shoshin mei for one of the lineage makers. Which ones were working "around kanbun"?

[cabowen]

Not gimei- the person who shortened it is simply stating who made the blade and the shinsa team agreed...

[DirkO]

Hi Chris, so the person who shortened it (o-suriage? or was the mei removed?) inscripted the mei of the correct smith.

But isn't this rare seeing it doesn't state that it was shortened? I've never seen it done in this way.

[Nobody]

The blade was shortened by Minamoto no Kunisuke (源國佐), and that is explicitly chiseled on the nakago by himself.

[DirkO]

thx Moriyama-san, I overlooked the other side of the nakago! Then of course, the mei is not that unusual

[John A Stuart]

I missed it too. Now it makes sense. John

[Edward G]

Thank you to all who contributed to the discussion. Chris, Dirk, John, Jacques, Robert, & Moriyama. It is hard to understand the complexities of this hobby sometimes and it takes much research. I am grateful for this forum! However hard the complexities the rewards are very satisfying for me. It appears I have a very good 1st Generation Misina Kane Michi. Although shortened, still quite rare & valuable to me if not anyone else.

 

Thank You.

 

Edward G

[DirkO]

Seeing I have a blade by Tango no Kami Naomichi (his earlier mei) I wouldn't mind some pictures of the blade itself

[Edward G]

Certainly Dirk: Attached are photos of the blade. How does it compare? Years ago, I owned a Katana by daddy YoshiMichi, and sold it like a fool.....Wish I still had it now..

 

 

 

 

Edward G.