Bugyotsuji

The closest I can find, if that Kanji has not been cut off in the middle, or even if it has, is something even more obscure like 邑 喿, 嵒 etc.

There is an entry in the Kokin Kinko Zenshu for a Meiji Toshimasa with these characters, from Tokyo, family name Fukuda. Photo of entry ...

Usually I associate Hira-zogan with Kaga work, the zogan being flat with the surface of the iron. (Interesting that they all seem to have those strange bifurcated 'token' leaves.)

Shinchu is a type of Japanese brass, yes, and zogan is a general word for inlay. Yours are properly inserted into the iron surface so they are known as 'Hon-zogan', or genuine inlay. The Japanese have long admired vines such as Fuji (wisteria), for their climbing and binding and strength, suggesting prosperity in a family or clan. Among the arabesque vine designs we also find clematis, at least since the 1600s that I am aware of. I suspect that coming from China, it also had the subliminal function of bringing society together anew, possibly through versions of Yomeigaku, a rediscovery of Classical Chinese religion and philosophy favo(u)red by the Tokugawa to replace out-of-favo(u)r Christianity.

Iron with shinchu zogan in inome shapes. Not especially low-end either. Just the sort of thing we can all enjoy. Ume? They might actually be clematis (Tessen) flowers, judging by the vines.(Tessen usually depicted with six petals though.)

John, did you reject 兼辻 Kanetsuji?

Not too long ago I was told that a wooden habaki can be a good sign. Kirill's post makes sense.

It's a personal feeling but if I had a choice I'd go for the second one. Horses for courses, though.

This one is relatively easier, Jonas. 平安城藤原国次 Heian-Jo Fujiwara Kunitsugu

眠龍子　壽實 'Minryushi Toshizane/-zumi' perhaps? Bunka 15 See 濱部眠龍子壽實 | 備前屋 (bizenya-katana.com)

属する 'zoku suru' means to belong to, or be attached to, or be part of. Is there anything above this character that might indicate to what company etc. the owner might have belonged to? 文化十五年

I suspect that if we can’t read it here, then the staff at Shinsa will not be able to read it.

No, it was (carbonized) toast.

Burnt toast is one step worse than toast… At least you can still eat toast. But I once found a bent and flaky rusty thing in a moat (it was originally a Tantō) and loved it. For a while.

Nope, toast it is not. Burnt toast maybe...

Good job, nicely done! Seki Ju Kanenao saku 関住兼直作 Made by Kanenao living in Seki.

Looks like: 相模国住人正廣作 Sagami no Kuni Junin Masahiro Saku

We are all weak at this, Ron! Since they are attempting generally to describe an object, including menuki and tsuba, etc., it often helps us to get the translation more exact if we can see the object being described! If you'd prefer not to show it, that is understandable, though.

The tag is badly rubbed, hovering on the edge between illegible and barely legible. It seems to give an address and a name, but to get the exact reading would take someone hours of detective work!

And there you have it, the dilemma of the sword collector. Whatever you choose will never be perfect, and there'll be something even better just out of reach... It is worth remembering however, that some of the most famous Japanese swords had a flaw. The Sanchomo (Yamatorige) for example has a bloody great chip missing from the blade. And hey, even the Liberty Bell has a crack in it, and they've even drilled it out to make it easier for Joe Public to see!.

岡田兼義　作 Okada Kaneyoshi Saku

And there you have it, all the thoughts that should already be inside your own head! Oh, and I hope you checked the wording and saw that it does mention shirasaya, and wondered why it is ranked a 'Chujo saku' when that is not in their list, and why they call it a 'wakizashi' (even in the original Japanese) at one point when it's not.

Which Vitaly is that Bruno? CANCEL (Not the Ukrainian one I was thinking about!)

Seriously though, a blade can tick all the right boxes, like buying a Honda Civic with all the warranties and service history, owned by one old lady. And you'll be happy with it, and learn stuff from it. Then you show it to your best buddy and he mentions he has just bought a Mazda Roadster Mustang Ferrari. As someone said today on another thread, and I agree, I find that I learn best when I can get my hands on one object for a while. This is followed by a period of ambivalence as people insert their various opinions.... , and then it's: have I learned enough from it, do I let go of it or not, etc.?

Magically, that rule will get ... uhhhh... adjusted over the months and years. I can hear your wife asking you, "Is that the same one?" And you, "Yes, I've had that for years!" (Never mind that it is longer, and in a regular koshirae...) PS I have a sword stand to sell you. OK if it's got space for three blades?