bobbernard

As I said in the beginning, I am not a sword collector but appreciate the quality of workmanship. I intend to keep this one. I don't have access to a copy of Hawley, and since there are only four pages, would it be allowable for someone to scan and send copies to me?

Stephen, I did not mean to hurt your feelings, but sometimes one can really get lucky.

I want to thank you guys again for your help. I did notice a difference in the bottom kangi and I am aware of geimei to enhance a samurai's stature. Since this sword only cost me $150 at an estate sale, I didn't pay extra for the name. Maybe a more exact signature will show up in the future.

I am not sure what you mean by no similarity. Please explain.

It has been a year since I last posted about this sword. I was a bit confused about all of the information thrown at me. Just the other day I decided to Google Kunishige's signature and found a Wakizasi with the same signature (Yamashiro Daijo Minamoto Kunishige). https://www.aoijapan.com/wakizashi-yamashiro-daijo-minamoto-kunishige/. This is the same information Stephen sent me. Attached are pics of my sword and the and the one in the Japanese sword shop Aoi-Art. I thank you all for your help.

After reading a couple of other posts, I realize that my "ponce" is a uchiko ball and the oil is choi oil. I guess I'm using the correct stuff.

I recently posted asking for help identifying a sword and got a lot of quick and surprising feedback and I thank you for that. I am not a collector, but admiring Hapanese workmanship, I could not pass up this knife for $20 at the local flea market. I was hoping I might find some information upon removing the handles when I got home but was very disappointed. Nevertheless, I thought you might like (or dislike) seeing what someone did to a nice piece of steel. Let's hope that it was broken before it was modified. As you can see, the blade was ground, welded, and the edges along the handle , brazed.

The other side is blank. I think I will forego the labor of love and just maintain the blade in it's current condition. I purchased a maintenance kit which includes the ponce (?), wiping paper and I believe camelia oil, which I use periodically. No fingers on the steel. If I decide to sell in the future, I'll let whomever buys it love it to death. Again, I apologize for not thanking you and the others who responded enough for your input.

Stephen, thank you for translating the mei. I tried looking up Kunishigi and found a whole range of makers, including a female. I was told by someone as ignorant as me that any signature has a good chance of being fake. Is there an exact translation for the Japanese characters on this sword? I am relieved to know that it isn't drop forged and perhaps was hand made.

Blade measures 21 1/2 inches. The saya measures 26 inches.I have added a picture of the fittings. They are all metal, copper brass, etc. I am new to this system and am not sure my picture actually got attached. .

Would you like a picture of the snap/buckle?

No, it is all covered in leather.

I am not a sword collector but have always considered Japanese smithing as the ultimate. I have owned this sword for a number of years and take very good care of it as it was taken care of before me. Almost looks like it never saw combat since the scabbard is in very good condition. It is signed but I cant read Japanese. I tried to take pictures of it's details, but I guess you have to know the proper way to get good ones. I can always add more if requested. No serial numbers, so I'm hoping it's not drop forged.