Ray Singer

Roland, you have not shown us the nakago (tang) of the sword which is the most important feature of the blade to see. It is not a good idea to estimate value based on photos vs. in-hand inspection, however a range of $950 - $1,500 is likely where were are looking at.

Unfortunately the sword does not have that level of importance, and the 'expert' you gave you that feedback was not one. It is a nice and collectible antique wakizashi, with a blade dating to the late Muromachi period (if the attribution on the paper is correct) and is mounted in fittings from the Edo period. If you sent it to Japan for current certification you would not have a challenge exporting it again (the sword would not be seized as a National Treasure). That used to be something it was common to hear collectors told here in the US, a 'conventional wisdom' that Japanese swords returning would be seized and not returned. It is a false wisdom in almost all cases. There are also certification events (shinsa) held in the US every year or so, and you can check back at the website below to see when the next such event is scheduled. https://nthkamerica.com/

In terms of the swordsmith: 三州吉田住広房 (Sanshū Yoshida ju Hirofusa). You may need to create an account to view the link below. https://nihontoclub.com/smiths/HIR216

Perhaps 植田兼忠 - Ueda Kanetada. Best regards, Ray

There is no Yasumitsu that I see documented with this mei, but FWIW there is a Fujiwara ju Yasutomo in late Muromachi, Yamato province. YASUTOMO (安友), Eiroku (永禄, 1558-1570), Yamato – “Fujiwara Yasutomo” (藤原安友), “Fujiwara-jū Yasutomo” (藤原住安友) - Credit Markus Sesko

The Nihonto Club swordsmith database is now gated behind a login, so sharing a screenshot with some examples rather than a link.

Appears to be Fujiwara ju Yasumitsu. Fujiwara as a place rather than a clan is unusual to see, but you can see other examples searching in Sesko

As some of you may have seen on my channels, I received a number of swords in gunto koshirae this past week (generally quality gendaito like Kawano Sadashige, Mitsuoki and others) along with older blades. Offering here a gendaito by the well-known smith Mizuno Masanori in Japanese polish and shirasaya, NTHK kanteisho and its original gunto koshirae. Please see below for photos and message me with any questions you have. $4,750 + shipping MASANORI (正範), Shōwa (昭和, 1926-1989), Ōsaka – “Zōtairan Mizuno Masanori kore o saku” (贈台覧水野 正範作之), “Sakaiura-jū Mizuno Masanori saku” (堺浦住水野正範作), “Masanori” (正範), real name Mizuno Teizaburō (水野貞三郎), born February 4th 1902, student of Sakurai Masayuki (桜井正幸) and Morita Masamichi (森田正道), gō Zōtairan (贈台覧), rikugun-jumei tōshō, jōkō no retsu (Akihide), Fourth Seat at the 6th Shinsaku Nihontō Denrankai (新作日本刀展覧会, 1941)

Sadamasa (WWII showato arsenal blade). Best regards, Ray

I'm sorry to resurrect an old post like this, however a friend of mine reached out asking for help contacting Bill. I was not able to do so directly through the normal channels. Does anyone have an update on Bill or how he can be reached? If so I will relay the information to my friend. Best regards, Ray

It would be helpful to see better photos, however I do not see an association here with So-den Bizen Kanemitsu or his school and as far as the appearance of the mei and nakago that also does not evoke a feeling of Bizen.

The mei is Kanemitsu. Unclear which Kanemitsu that this might be. There were a number of Kanemitsu working in Mino, and in other regions as well.

I see that this same sword was posted here in 2018 (and the same photos of the nakago, rotated).

Tsuba = Echizen ju Kinai saku

I believe the mei is Yamashiro (no) Suke Moritake (山城介盛武), and the date is 慶應三年八月日 (a day in the 8th month of 1857 - Keiō 3). Best regards, Ray

This is signed Minamoto Kunihiro. Unclear which Kunihiro this is, there were many. Nakago and mei give the impresson of a Muromachi period sword.

Perhaps Goto Kanemitsu (後藤兼光). Best regards, Ray

Appears to be a gimei of Yasutsuna with a Tenryaku (天暦) 2 date - a day in the 8th month of the year 948. Best regards, Ray

Please see below.

A number of additional books have been added today. Please see below and message with any inquiries. https://swordsofjapan.com/product-category/books/ Best regards, Ray

A list of books has been added to my website below and will continue to updated in the coming days. Please email me directly with any inquiries and to confirm the exact amount with shipping. https://swordsofjapan.com/product-category/books/ Best regards, Ray

Thank you David, I have copies of the 5th, 11th and 12th Exhibitions. Best regards, Ray

This appears to be Hisamitsu. Best regards, Ray

Ashū - province (area) Fujiwara - clan name Toshihira - swordsmith art name