I am a novice collector, I admit. I have a few blades, mostly mumei from the early Edo period. My uncle loaned me his "sukehiro priceless blade" to get more data on it. Several years ago, I met with some Japanese swordsmiths and they felt the signature (mei) was forged. They said it was too forced. They said it would be worth more if the original signature was intact. (It seemed as if the original mei was filed off, or so they say)
My uncle, however, insists it is authentic, and signed in the last part of Sukehiro's life. (After all, he was offered a kings ransom back in the early 70's for the blade....)
I last researched this blade on google about five years ago, but I began a new search recently, which let me to this forum.
I have found some interesting images of Sukehiro's mei which seem very similar to this blade in my recent searching. Apparently this blade was forged in 1673.
The temper line is that of the twin breast, similar to the ocean temper line, but two undulations instead of one.
Can I get some insight on this wakazashi form anyone on here?
I put up a set of detailed photos and some Kanji script about the sword which I cannot read in a subfolder my own website. The address is -
http://www.f45.com/sword/
I'd appreciate and information positive or negative.
Thank you, Rolfe Horn
