Two Japanese Swords

[Bob Coleman]

The Nobutaka swordsmiths lasted for ten generations in Owari Provence. All signed their blades identical to the signature on your blade. The signature appears to be genuine and closely resembles that of the 2nd generation. The majority of the generations were not conisdered smiths of great ability and my reference books does not include signatures of the majority of the generations so what I wrote about the 2nd generation is just conjecture. Their blades are noted for their cutting ability.
More could be determined by an in hands examination of the blade and the damage. One must always worry about chips in the edge as they could also have caused hagiri or a crack through the temper line which is fatal to the blade.

[coloradocowboy]

Thanks Bob. This logo is on the top of the handle. It looks exactly like this. Is this a samurai crest Im assuming?

[Bob Coleman]

Thanks Bob. This logo is on the top of the handle. It looks exactly like this. Is this a samurai crest Im assuming?

What you have is a mon or family crest. The mon were initially used by noble and samurai families. After the end of feudal period, mon were adopted by nearly all Japanese families. A particular mon could be ascribed to thousands of families. It is impossible to determine who owned the sword just by the mon.

[coloradocowboy]

Gotcha

What you have is a mon or family crest. The mon were initially used by noble and samurai families. After the end of feudal period, mon were adopted by nearly all Japanese families. A particular mon could be ascribed to thousands of families. It is impossible to determine who owned the sword just by the mon.

[GHP]

Thanks Bob. This logo is on the top of the handle. It looks exactly like this. Is this a samurai crest Im assuming?

22: 丸に九枚笹
Maru ni Ku-mai Sasa

No. 22: 9 bamboo leafs within a circle

According to Japanese Wiki it was used by the Kanno Kanamitsu 菅野金光 family. Note is made that the correct pronunciation of 金光 is KanAmitsu, not (in this case) KanEmitsu.

./......
I'll bet that other families or sub-families not of the same surname used the mon/crest.

--Guy

[Stu W]

Roots and History of Kamon (Mon)

Of interest is this site ...

http://www.asgy.co.jp/anglais/index.html

Regards,
Stu

[coloradocowboy]

Thanks for the info guys. OK HERE IS SWORD #2. Handle came off great and it is signed on both sides. I took these basic photos. This one in much better condition. I know the drill, I will take some clear, close photos of each character in the morning.

[coloradocowboy]

2

[GHP]

Date:
嘉永五年八月, 日
Kaei 5th year 8th month, a day
A Day in August, 1853

Smith:

Still working it out, but from Higo Provence, I THINK the name begins with 清Kiyo

肥後国清

--Guy

[coloradocowboy]

you should be on jeopardy. This is handmade then as well?

Date:
嘉永五年八月, 日
Kaei 5th year 8th month, a day
A Day in August, 1853

Smith:

Still working it out, but from Higo Provence, I THINK the name begins with 清Kiyo

肥後国清

--Guy

[reeder3]

Guy,

Working on it as well, not quite as quick though.

肥後国清...munehide saku?

chris, that'd be my guess, but I'll let the guys who know answer that question.

-Brandon

Date:
嘉永五年八月, 日
Kaei 5th year 8th month, a day
A Day in August, 1853

Smith:

Still working it out, but from Higo Provence, I THINK the name begins with 清Kiyo

肥後国清

--Guy

[GHP]

It's still not clear, but looks like it MIGHT be:

肥後國清宗産作

Higo (no) Kuni Kiyomasa san-saku.

I do not know if "san-saku" is correct .... a bit strange in Japanese.

Hopefully my attempt might jog the brains of our sword experts.

Still, the date is a day in August 1853 ... and it was made in Higo.

--Guy

[GHP]

you should be on jeopardy. This is handmade then as well?

Unless a forged signature, then definitely a handmade blade.

--Guy

[GHP]

Found It !!!!!

Higo (ju) Dotanuki Munehiro Saku
肥後同田貫宗廣作

Now .... I do not know if this is "gimei" [forged] signature or authentic.

--Guy

Edit: more info here

[Bob Coleman]

In my opinion, a genuine Higo Dotanuki School piece. This group goes back to the Muromachi Period. This smith being one of the last working in the school. As with most smiths who worked in the Late Edo period, his work is competent but not highly rated.