Yamato no Kami Yoshimichi

Hi,

A friend of mine inherited this blade from his uncle. He told me it was signed "yoshimishi", but after some research I think "Yamato no Kami Yoshimichi" is more correct (please correct me if I'm wrong). Now I've looked up some info about this name, but all the smiths I found had another mei, or their hamon was far away from being something that I would describe as suguha or possibly sudare-ba. Now he knows even less than I know about swords, so these pictures are all I can go by untill I arrange a visit. I also asked hem about any flaws in the blade, and after referring to Dr Steiner's site, he told me that the "battle scar" as he described it, is probably a hagire (I asked him for a picture, but he was unable to photograph it - I'm still hoping he's wrong off course). He also couldn't find any trace of yasurime (and I couldn't either, seeing the pics)

Now there are 5 Yamato no Kami Yoshimichi in my Hawleys, and untill now, none of them seem to fit the bill. Did I go wrong with the translation because the mekugiana pierced one of the characters (different province ?) ? Any info would be appreciated. I'll probably arrange a visit in the next few weeks, but it would like to know what exact details I should pay attention to when looking at it. I'm still only just a novice ... so any info would really be appreciated. I don't have a Fujishiro's yet, so I was unable to look it up there for reference.

Hi,

The reading is correct it is Yamato no kami Yoshimichi.

I don't think it is the shodai or the nidai, maybe a later generation.

Dirk,

Yamato (no) kami Yoshimichi is a reasonably good name, and it does look quite well done. I do hope for your sake it is right, and that he is mistaken about the hagire. It looks well forged and a nice blade. Good controlled suguha?

Brian

Looks very nice, nicely done suguha, this sword "looks correct" (opinion) for

yoshimichi yamato no kami shodai [kanbun 1661 settsu] shinto josaku, he is the 2nd son of the 1st generation Osaka yoshimichi

Hmmm so it is the shodai ? The suguha looks very well indeed. I can't wait to get it in hand and at least oil it properly (he doesn't know how to care for it, so that's one of the things I need to do, teach him how to care for it and how to handle it)

Hi,

As i said i don't think it is the shodai or the nidai,

As it is dark here at this time, i will post an oshigata to morrow morning.

Hmmm so it is the shodai ?

It could be, needs to be confirmed. First the workmanship needs to match, and without fatal flaws, then worry about the mei. If the workmanship is not up to par for shodai (or surpasses in some cases), then look toward which other generation might have made this piece. Regardless of which generation it turns out to be, this sword appears to be a genuine piece worth investigating.

Hi,

 

As i said i don't think it is the shodai or the nidai,

 

 

As it is dark here at this time, i will post an oshigata to morrow morning.

Merci beaucoup Jacques !!! I'll eagerly await the oshigata.

Hi,

As promised,

Shodai

Nidai

.

Koza states a third generation but it says the sandai signed like the shodai, but with kesho yasuri and was greatly less talented (none oshigata in my possession).

I agree that the mei doesn't match any of these fine osigata. But it doesn't seem to have kesho yasuri markings either.

Any ideas anyone which way to go ?

How long is this blade? Thanks. Tom