templar44

I misread what you wanted. The kasane I will be able to give later on tonight. I was in a rush to get out to work. Yes it could be a bad attempt at shodai Kagemitsu. My hopes were that someone may have a more extensive library than I do and may have recognized it as being close to someone else. I have a number of examples for the shodai and pretty much ruled him out. His symbol for Kage always seems to have the proper marks inside what I would call the small boxes. Sorry but I do not know the proper term. I am currently working so I will only be able to anwer questions or otherwise reply intermittantly. Tony Martin

Will endeavour to post to signatures horizontal in future. The Kasane is 1 1/16 inches. Sorry I was in a rush and forgot it. I thought about the flaw theory regarding the hi as well but was unsure. I collect Yamato primarily and they are not usually prolific with hi as are some of the other schools. The original hamachi/munemachi is set just before the two hi therefore when the original habaki was set in place it probably would have covered about the beginning half inch of the hi. Thanks for the reposes. Tony Martin

I was not sure if I should have placed this in the general discussion group or this. Because the signature may be the maker or breaker of the sword I chose this forum. If I have chosen incorrectly please let me know for future reference. This blade I purchased with the Kinju blade. I purchased it based on the blade only, not the signature, which at the time I believed to be koto Bizen. I felt it was early Muromachi period. I believe I have translated the signature correctly. The bottom kanji has been cut off when the sword was shortened. There is still a small portion of the lost kanji left. What I was hoping is anyone who may have access to more examples of signatures of Bizen smiths that could possibly align with what I have on this one. I was leaning towards a third or fourth generation Kagemitsu but I do not have enough signature examples. Of course all of this is based on whether I estimated the age of the blade correctly. I will give the measurements of the blade and some photos. Believe me when I say I have left my ego at the door and all opinions are welcome. I want to bring this sword back to life but have to know if it is really worth it or not. Nagasa: 24" Originally: 26" (One photo shows the habaki set at the base of the two hi. This is where the original Munemachi was. Width at hamachi: 1 3/16 inches Width at yokote: 3/4 inch Width of kissaki: 1 inch Curvature: 3/4 inch Original: 1 inch It has a low shinogi, is iori-mune with a gentle oroshi, has Katte-sagari file marks, kiri nakago. The two hi are unusual to me and I do not know how I would describe them. I do not know when this type of hi was done. One is kaku dome while the other is maru dome. The hamon appears to be a midare for about the first 2/3 of the blade until the last 1/3 looks like a regular small gnome pattern. It is very difficult to show due to the condition of the blade. Hope this helps and any feedback is most appreciated. I learn more by doing this type of research than just reading the books. Tony Martin

Martin Thank you for the photos. Apologize for not responding earlier but my job can be somewhat erratic with regards to hours. Anyway, I am very pleased with the photos and with all the comparisons I have been doing I have noticed a few characteristics that Kiju seems to have favoured. The first is the way the hamon comes out of the boshi. He seems to extend the hamon close to the hasaki and then jumps it up into those very high torn waves without a gradual rise. He also seems to include a few very straight (suguha) portions at the bottom of one or two of the valleys. Not always but there are a few. This may be a kantei feature of his or a coincidence in the research material I have available.No matter my ego is still at the door. I copied your photo if that is ok just for my own research purposes. If you are not happy with it I will trash them. Any additional feedback regarding this smith would be appreciated. Thanks again, Tony Martin

To all who have helped me so far I am very grateful. Sometimes when youresearch you feel as if you are quite alone as we are so spread out and the knowledge base can be so diverse. Tony Martin Martin I look forward to the photos. I will not reply until later as I will be working late. Night shift tonight.

Thank you Chris that is a great help and I am very happy at the moment. Tony Martin

Mr. Martin thank you fro taking the time to post the photos. I definitely have my homework cut out for me. My largest concern was a good polish on the blade especially if it was done by Kiju. The fact about the blade I stated previously and that it made in the Yamato style with a wide shinogi and a lot of hira-niku lead me to believe it has a good shot at being genuine. I have added some photos of the hamon. They were the best I could do as a result of the condition. It all seems to match with this particular smith. It is too hard to discern consistent hataraki due to the condition. Anyway I hope the photos are worth viewing. Thanks again, Tony Martin

Probably seemed like a good idea at the time though didn't it? I have done the same but I have more patience now. Anyway even though I study all the time the swords still found me. They practically slapped me in the face. Tony Martin

Just got back from the Dojo. Thank you all for your help. I am very pleased at the moment. Would a bottle of single malt be payment enough?

Terrific! The only thing I am unsure of is the Norimitsu you attached at the end. Was this his original name and not his smith signature? Or is it a second generation I am not aware of?

Thanks John. Sorry I did not get back sooner but I am making dinner for the brats and then it is off to the Dojo. If that is the case it would put it near the end of his life. Fujishiro lists him as age 75 in 1740. I am more intrigued by the minute. Gimei or a new reference signature? Jury is still out.

I am new to this site although I am not new to Nihonto. I have been a member of the Toronto Token Kai for a number of years and have been collecting for about 20 years. I focus my collection around Yamato blades. This site was recommended to me by a member of the club who stated that the people on the forum were helpful and knowledgeable, I recently rescued this wakizashi as well as a tachi from despair. Trying to decipher the date is proving most difficult. I managed to get the omote which I believe reads Tsutsui Echu no kuni Terukuni Nyudo Kiju. I believe the ura may have a date of 1707 but I am unable to match it properly with kanji and suitable romanization. Should the signature and date prove true I want to have the sword polished by a suitably qualified polisher. The signature looks good from examples I have seen. This coupled with the proper file marks, shape of nakago and correct and beautiful hamon leads me to believe all is in order. However, I will not get my hopes up. I am not treasure hunter I just really liked the swords.The sword was covered in old hardened grease and the tsuka is very dirty. It appears the sword was stuck in some rafters and left for many years. Anyway if you can help me I am forever in your debt. Just for fun the other sword was signed tachimei and is probably late nambokucho / early muromachi signed Bishu Osafune Kage ( last kanji cut off due to shortening). There is a small piece of the original kanji still there. For what it's worth. If anyone wants to see it I will post it. I have no idea if that signature is any good as well. Thanks for your time, T. Martin