Mei Help Needed - Please

sabertasche · 18th March 2006, 11:37 PM

Hi All,

I've been on a buying frenzy lately (commision cheque came in

) and picked up this wonderful O-Tanto. I've always wanted a nice Katana, Wak and Tanto and this is my 1st purchase towards my Japanese triad.

I'll post scans of the entire sword shortly but at the moment I'd would like to know who made it and the approximate age.

Any info would be most appreciated

Thanks,

Greg

Rich · 19th March 2006, 02:30 AM

I think the smith is Masakage (although 100% not sure of the second Kanji)
Date is Ka-Ei 6 (1853). "IF" I'm correct on the smith, he worked in Echigo
Province. Hawley Ref # MAS 281

Rich S

------------------------------------------------------------
Richard Stein, PhD
alchemyst@yahoo.com

The Japanese Sword Index
http://www.geocities.com/alchemyst/nihonto.htm
------------------------------------------------------------

Andrew · 19th March 2006, 02:39 AM

Rich, you rock!

sabertasche · 19th March 2006, 08:52 PM

Thanks Rich, you are such an asset to the forum. Is this smith well known? Did make primarily tantos or all forms of Japanese edged weapons? I understand there is a rating for smiths, how does my smith rate?

The condidtion of my tanto is outstanding (makes no sense to buy stuff in poor condition - right?) I think this will be a keeper for me for the next 20 years or so. I now have to pick up a sword care kit

.

If anyone would specific scans of my tanto, just let me know and I'll post them.

Greg

Rich · 19th March 2006, 09:22 PM

He made all types of Nihonto. Both Hawley and Fujishiro rate him
as an average smith. (Fujishiro calls is chusaku). What type of
mountings (koshirae) is it in?

Rich

------------------------------------------------------------
Richard Stein, PhD
alchemyst@yahoo.com

The Japanese Sword Index
http://www.geocities.com/alchemyst/nihonto.htm
------------------------------------------------------------

sabertasche · 19th March 2006, 10:31 PM

Hi Rick, the mounts seem to match - fushi, kashira and tsuba but are unsigned. There is a nice ear probe/blade (the name escapes me at the time as well) but is also unsigned. As to the overall mounts they are a dark brown lacquer.

Greg

Rich · 20th March 2006, 02:26 AM

Nice set of koshirae. The ear thing is called a kogai (hair arranger and
ear cleaner). This would definitely be a keeper piece if it were mine.

Rich

sabertasche · 20th March 2006, 03:58 AM

Thanks Rich, the hair thing didn't work as I have short hair, the ear thing works great! - much to the amusement of my kids and the dirty looks of my wife

A keeper it is!

Greg

18th March 2006, 11:37 PM	#1
sabertasche Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Vancouver, BC Posts: 149	Mei Help Needed - Please Hi All, I've been on a buying frenzy lately (commision cheque came in ) and picked up this wonderful O-Tanto. I've always wanted a nice Katana, Wak and Tanto and this is my 1st purchase towards my Japanese triad. I'll post scans of the entire sword shortly but at the moment I'd would like to know who made it and the approximate age. Any info would be most appreciated Thanks, Greg Attached Images

19th March 2006, 08:52 PM	#4
sabertasche Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Vancouver, BC Posts: 149	Thanks Rich, you are such an asset to the forum. Is this smith well known? Did make primarily tantos or all forms of Japanese edged weapons? I understand there is a rating for smiths, how does my smith rate? The condidtion of my tanto is outstanding (makes no sense to buy stuff in poor condition - right?) I think this will be a keeper for me for the next 20 years or so. I now have to pick up a sword care kit . If anyone would specific scans of my tanto, just let me know and I'll post them. Greg Attached Images

19th March 2006, 10:31 PM	#6
sabertasche Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Vancouver, BC Posts: 149	MOre Scans Hi Rick, the mounts seem to match - fushi, kashira and tsuba but are unsigned. There is a nice ear probe/blade (the name escapes me at the time as well) but is also unsigned. As to the overall mounts they are a dark brown lacquer. Greg Attached Images Last edited by sabertasche; 20th March 2006 at 07:13 AM.

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19th March 2006, 02:30 AM	#2
Rich Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: comfortably at home, USA Posts: 432	I think the smith is Masakage (although 100% not sure of the second Kanji) Date is Ka-Ei 6 (1853). "IF" I'm correct on the smith, he worked in Echigo Province. Hawley Ref # MAS 281 Rich S ------------------------------------------------------------ Richard Stein, PhD alchemyst@yahoo.com The Japanese Sword Index http://www.geocities.com/alchemyst/nihonto.htm ------------------------------------------------------------

19th March 2006, 02:39 AM	#3
Andrew Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: USA Posts: 1,725	Rich, you rock!

19th March 2006, 09:22 PM	#5
Rich Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: comfortably at home, USA Posts: 432	He made all types of Nihonto. Both Hawley and Fujishiro rate him as an average smith. (Fujishiro calls is chusaku). What type of mountings (koshirae) is it in? Rich ------------------------------------------------------------ Richard Stein, PhD alchemyst@yahoo.com The Japanese Sword Index http://www.geocities.com/alchemyst/nihonto.htm ------------------------------------------------------------

20th March 2006, 02:26 AM	#7
Rich Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: comfortably at home, USA Posts: 432	Nice set of koshirae. The ear thing is called a kogai (hair arranger and ear cleaner). This would definitely be a keeper piece if it were mine. Rich

20th March 2006, 03:58 AM	#8
sabertasche Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Vancouver, BC Posts: 149	Thanks Rich, the hair thing didn't work as I have short hair, the ear thing works great! - much to the amusement of my kids and the dirty looks of my wife A keeper it is! Greg