stirling

The tsuba looks almost identical to this one: http://www.shibuiswords.com/heianjo2.htm

Thanks, Geraint. I've learned a lot in the past few weeks, although I'm not completely new to katana/nihonto study. I never thought I'd have a chance to own one, though. I'm having fun researching it, certainly. Interestingly, I just found that the habaki pattern looks like it could be the mon of the Ryuzoji clan. Anyone else have any comments or opinions on this wakizashi?

I've added a photo album rather than attachments. A couple good pix of the habaki in there. A couple odd things I noticed: - The same is cracked on one side and has been painted silver. - The seppa and fuchi were modified to match the curvature of the tsuba's hitsu ana. Is there an explanation on why the naga character was made this way? Is it an abbreviated form or personal style? Any educated guesses on the time period of any of the parts and which Yoshinaga this is? I can only find reference to 4 Yoshinaga smiths from Hizen, (YOS569, YOS595, YOS596, GO 4). Are there others this could be?

I'll try to get a better picture of the habaki and the other parts later tonight.

Thanks. Here's a picture of the full tang and another showing the hamon. I can take more pictures if necessary. Just let me know which parts to detail.

I just inherited two swords from my grandfather. He was a Marine in the Pacific in WWII and stationed in Nagasaki for six months during the post-war occupation. He brought back a Nambu Type 14 pistol and two swords. One sword is a NCO type 95, although it's black, (possibly painted?). The other sword is a wakizashi, (20.5"). It has a gunto tsuba and katana length saya. I'm unsure of the age of the koshirae. In the 90's, my grandfather wrote a letter to a fellow marine in Japan who translated the mei as "Hizen Kuni Yoshinaga". This appears to be the case, but I'd like confirmation, especially for the last character, since it doesn't look exactly like "naga". I've done a lot of research already. "Hizen Kuni Yoshi" looks perfect, so that should narrow it down. Some internet research points to YOS595. I consulted a 60's edition of Hawley's and came across a Meiji era Hizen smith named Yoshinaga. Hawley listed that smith as "YO 410" and the notes said "Same as GO 4". GO 4 is Gozaemon. The Nihonto Club website has contradictory information and lists the Kan-ei era Yoshinaga with a first name of Gozaemon. I'm not sure if that's bad information or if Hawley had later corrections than the 60's version I consulted. I've asked a Japanese friend for help in translating. He said the last character could be a shorthand version of naga, but it's not one he's familiar with. Thanks in advance for any help.