Bugyotsuji

The question should be, “Can anyone read this eccentric (highly stylized) brush writing?” It’s not easy, Chansen. From a quick glance this is an appraisal carried out in Heisei 2, for a “wakizashi, mumei , Tsunahiro, Sagami no Kuni Jū”. There are a couple of notations (?) and the length of one Shaku and… 3(?) Sun.

Grev, Hikone is a famous castle town in Goshu (the province of Ohmi) to the east of Kyoto and Lake Biwa, formerly residence of the Ii(ii) Daimyo family. In that castle town area were gathered a line of artisans which came to be known as the 'Soten'. We had a thread here recently on this subject. Authentification advice - Tosogu - Nihonto Message Board

Looks as if it’s a simple mekugi peg, easy to remove. The tang should give us some important information.

Agreeing with most of the above. As mentioned elsewhere the name Sukesada had a kind of magic to it in the popular mind, and for a while even carried the general connotation of 'katana'. "Now, where did I put my Sukesada?"... The expression 'Tensuke' (derived from Tensho Sukesada) indicates a blade produced from such mass production at that time.

Kevin Page (Oriental Art) in London usually has two or three of these available in his shop.

Does it have any holes in it Scott? Does it look suitably old? What was it sold as? It looks like a crossover piece somewhere between a large Netsuke and Bokuto. Ainu work?

It says something aout a wall vase, a Kake-hana-ire from Iga or in Iga style? Lovely old box.

What were you told, Tom?

I remember seeing that single Kanji before, some years ago, and yes, the meaning back then was as you say: ‘Cold chiseled’. (Cut with Tagane, cold chisel.) 鐫 Sen/Horu, variant of…

Might as well add this one, then. (32 petals) and

筑後柳河住久廣 Chikuo Yanagawa Ju Hisahiro Oops, apologies to Jan above, just seen his answer!

Juan, once in Japan I was told that a spear only had to enter the eye of an opponent, their weakest spot, and then they would be permanently out of the fight.

In my limited experience those altered or modernized guns, even if they have proper registration paperwork (and many nowadays are more likely to be refused) are generally not of any great worth in Japan.

The Dutch archer is signed 吉川 Yoshikawa, yes, but the signature looks weak to me, as if someone added it later.

Often the facial expressions will tell you everything you need to know!