harvg

Hi, I just acquired this mumei wakizashi, and was told it could be Shinto/Hizen...? Supposed to be original furniture, but well beyond my knowledge set to make that call. Plan on taking this one to Chicago Shinsa....but would love to get any info I can in the meantime. Any/all help is as always greatly appreciated. harvg

Thank you for all your help! Mei translated, now the harder task of determining if it is gimei. Big name smith with a Hawley rating of 90, so these days, that pretty much assures that it is gimei....... harvg

Sword pics to go with mei.... harvg

Okay...crude date reading...?? Tensho/3/year/8/month/day......with Tensho being 1573. This would make the smith SUK848, with a Hawley rating of 90.......so probably gimei...lol harvg

Great tutorial guys! Think I have a mei of Bishu Osafune Sukesada. Gonna take me a lot longer to do the date... harvg

Okay, looks like Katana mei, and so far I think I have translation of: Bishu Naga .....still working on finding the rest. No clue on the other side....lol Harvg

Sorry, here is the other side of tang.... harvg

Hi all, just picked up this sword, wondering if it would be a Kodachi?? The mei would seem to support this, but just guessing. Sword has a cutting blade length of 14 1/4" and a nakago of 5 1/2". Any help in translating the mei of either side would be greatly appreciated! harvg

Thank you Hoanh for the insight. The biggest problem is that there is not multiple papered references for this smith for comparisons, as this papered tachi is the only one I have seen. This smith was active for 15 years, did he personally chisel all his sword? Hawley lists his Mei as having 13 kanji...the papered tachi has 11, mine has 12. The extra kanji would, if Mei is legit, explain the difference in the mekugi Ana placement. Just a thought.....if my sword is legit (and I realize that is a big if) and it was the only papered example.....would everyone be saying that the tachi is Gimei? Harvg P.S. My opinions really are just from my observations, I really have no idea what I'm talking about!

Hi Hoanh, similarities of the link you posted: the shape of the nakago is the same (same curve and taper), there is no pic of the point in your example, but I have found multiple Hizento examples with the same offset straight point. The yasurime on yours is straight, as opposed to mine being angled towards the blade, but again I have found multiple Hizento blades with the same yasurime as mine. With regards to the kanji of the Mei, I am very intrigued by the "Kane" kanji. While my sword has a larger arced radical, in the Kane kanji, overall it's the same variation of the Kane character as the papered one you link to. I personally have yet to find another "Kane" smith, that uses this variation. Harvg

Hi Brian, my "expert" stated that KaneHiro never really stuck to the traditional Hizento style anyways, so I look forward to hearing his feedback when he has time to do a more thorough analysis. Out of respect, I will hold back his name until he has the time to give a more informed opinion...but of course I am buoyed by his initial impression so far. Harvg

Well at least we have some discussion now, I was starting to think everyone lost their opinions.... Of course this sword may be gimei.... Aren't they all....lol. I have forwarded a pic of the nakago to an expert in Hizento, and while he said he will research more thoroughly soon....he thought the mei looked good. Will keep you all updated, and of course any more info/opinions are always welcome. Harvg

Found a couple examples of Hizen nakago, that are very close to my example ....thoughts? harvg

"Bueller? ...Bueller? ...Bueller?" ....."Anyone? Anyone?" harvg

That is just an oxidation line caused by the Habaki. harvg

The mei on this recently acquired Katana has already been translated, by the members here, to : Hizen no Kuni ju Yamato Daijo Fujiwara Kanehiro. Now the bigger question....does the sword match the signature. Here are some pics, to hopefully aid in judging...... Thanks in advance for any help/info! harvg

I now have sword in hand. Here are some better pics...any insight/info would be greatly appreciated! harvg

Well, good or bad (to be determined), I did acquire this blade. Hope to provide some better pics of the blade soon..... This MEI would seem to be KAN939....whether gimei or not is best left to much more knowledgeable nihonto enthusiasts, than myself..... Kanehiro (1st gen) ID KAN939 Province Hizen Start Era Manji (1658-1661) End Era Kanbun (1661-1673) Active Period 1658-1673 School Hizen Tadayoshi Father/Teacher Kunihiro Lineage Image / Interactive Hawley 50 KAN939 Toko Taikan ¥3M 123 Signatures: 肥前佐賀住大和大掾藤原兼廣 hizen saga ju yamato daijo fujiwara kanehiro Yamato no kami title. Harvg

This is the only real close pic of the blade available, unfortunately...... and here's an overall pic.... harvg

Hi, yes I am considering bidding on this blade, but it was listed as a 20th C. blade.....which seemed out of place. The knowledgeable members here seem to confirm that as well. Really no idea if the blade will prove to be any "treasure" or not (gimei), but that would be the goal. Won't really know unless I win and get the blade in hand, and even then, I'll probably need some help....lol Will keep you posted, if that is okay? Thank you for all your input! harvg

.jpg]Hi, is it unusual for a WWII era blade to have such a long Mei, or would it likely be gimei? Any translation assistance would be greatly appreciated. Thank you. harvg

Thank you K. Morita! Harvey G.

Mumei and cutting edge of 14 inches. Harvey G.

Can anyone help with the Mei/Kanji translation on this wakizashi? Many thanks! Harvey G.

I took a scan of the Mei......might make it a little easier to read or judge...? Harvey G.