Ray Singer

Hizen (no) Kuni ju Mutsu (no) kami Tadayoshi. This is the signature of the 3rd generation mainline. You will find plenty of information on this smith online. Roger Robertshaw is the best resource for evaluating mei of this school. http://hizento.net/index.php http://www.sho-shin.com/shinto-hizen.html - Ray

I agree with Lance that this appears closer to a Kao than the kanji I suggested earlier. Look forward to confirmation either way. Best regards, Ray

Possibly Yoshi (善). - old fart Ray

Looks like shinae. http://www.ksky.ne.jp/~sumie99/shinae.jpg Best regards, Ray

This was never a wakizashi however may be machiokuri and a longer katana at one point. The nakago mune also appears to be shaved back and I am not sure if what is left of the nakago jiri is original. Best regards, Ray

Koto. It looks like the length is 24" or 60.9cm. This is and always has been katana. The photo is a bit blurry so please correct me if I'm mistaken. Best regards, Ray

Sengo Masaie attached. Not your guy. Best regards, Ray

Funny Jean, one of the Mihara on that page is mine and I was not aware that there were photos online. Gustaf, here is an oshigata of the first generation Mihara Masaie who worked in the Kamakura period. This would be earlier than your sword. There was also a Masaie in the Sengo school, however I don't have any oshigata on hand at the moment. Best regards, Ray

I would look to the Bingo Mihara group. Best regards, Ray

http://www.sengokudaimyo.com/Archive/miscellany/yearsinnihon_e.html

Perhaps Kanoe Saru 庚申. If correct I believe that would be 1980 - Shôwa 55. Best regards, Ray

Kiku ichimonji norimune saku

As I mentioned earlier, Sukekane is a shinshinto smith (ie. the smith does not match the date). I do not know if any Bizen Sukekane working at the time this sword is dated. Hopefully someone will chime in if I am wrong in this point. Best regards, Ray

Looks like February, 1683 (Tenna 天和 san nen ni gatsu hi). I don't know of a Sukekane working at that time. 天保 Tenpō would make more sense for Yokoyama Sukekane. Best regards, Ray Sorry Stephen, our postings crossed.

It looks very tired, I personally would not. Best regards, Ray

Den Bizen Osafune Kozori Yukimitsu Meitoku (1390) Best Regards, Ray

Uda Kunimune. You should be able to find a great deal of information searching for that name online. Best regards, Ray

http://nihontoclub.com/view/smiths/meisearch?type=All&mei_op=contains&mei=%E8%B2%9E%E6%AC%A1

Before bidding Senjuin, I was the one incorrectly went with Jitsua. I have seen/handled a couple of pieces which had a jihada that seemed consistent with the work in Jean's sword. Jitsua attributes include a suguha-based hamon with an indistinct nioi-guchi, blackish jigane with strong, flowing itame and a deki that appears rustic (outside the mainline). I steered away from Norishige and Ko-Uda based on Tanobe's comments in the sayagaki. A suguha hamon lacking in brightness is not a trait of Norishige. A date of 1301 would I believe also be too early for a smith from the Ko-Uda school. There additionally did not appear to be a mitsumune, though I am not certain that is correct based on the angle we can see in the photos. As far as why Senjuin, there are two mainline Yamato schools which seem similar to or at times mistaken for early Soshu: Taema and Senjuin. The fact that I am very familiar with a Juyo Senjuin wakizashi that Kanzan previously attributed to Norishige is probably why I bid Senjuin after Jean gave the hint pointing to the Yamato mainline. A very challenging and fun exercise. Thank you again Jean. Regards, Ray

Appears to be Sadamitsu. Has the appearance of a WW2 Seki blade. Best regards, Ray

Hi Brian, You are based out of South Florida (referring to your username)? If so and you'd like to get together, please send me a PM. Best regards, Ray

Clearer photos would be helpful and I am sure that, with better photos of the blade, nakago and mei, others will be able to give you more feedback on your sword. Best regards, Ray

That is correct. Your sword is signed katana-mei. I don't know offhand how often that is seen from this school. Best regards, Ray

Perhaps 三条小鍛冶 Translates as Sanjo Kokaji. http://www.sho-shin.com/sanjo.htm Best regards, Ray

Fujiwara yoshisada. Best regards, Ray