Ray Singer

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

Looks like a legitimate sword. Appears to have Tokubetsu Kicho and sayagaki (Kanzan?) attributing the sword to Nobukuni Yoshimasa. Best regards, Ray

I believe the mei is 'Fujiwara Masaaki kin saku'. Please see below for information and examples of a gendai smith who signs Fujiwara Masaaki. Perhaps your smith? http://www.kajita-token.com/works.html Best, Ray

It may be helpful to look over the link that Mark provided. The only sword-specific information is what I translated above. Best regards, Ray

Mumei Wakizashi - Kaifu Ujiyoshi. 1 Shaku 4 Sun 3 Bu (43.3cm) Best regards, Ray

The price may vary based on different factors such as the size of the habaki, price of gold, etc. Best to get a quote directly from Brian. As is often the case when commissioning work from an artist, it is also good to get their creative input. He can help recommend a habaki style which complements the blade. Here are a few he has made for me. Best regards, Ray

Hi Oleg, I had corrected my earlier translation of the date. I believe they are referring to this individual, the nidai Masahiro working in Meitoku. http://nihontoclub.com/smiths/MAS202 Best regards, Ray

Soshu Ju Masahiro - 明徳 Meitoku (1390) Best regards, Ray

I was in attendance for the entirety of the Miami Beach show and there was considerable concern among dealers. As the dealer mentions in that article, this situation has become a deterrent to some returning for future US-based shows. Imagine if a koshirae like the one below had caught the attention of officials. Considering possible issues with both the ivory and same, there would be not much left. http://www.nihonto.com/11.7.15.html Regards, Ray

Earlier in the show Chris had said that the usage of Den before a smith's name indicated 'school of' that individual. After a friend received an attribution to Den Uda Kunifusa I asked for more detail on the shinsa team's usage of the term. He spoke with them and in their words, when they add Den before a smith's name in the attribution of a mumei blade, they are saying it is exactly that individual (specifically that smith rather than 'nearly' him or of his school). Den is added simply because the blade is unsigned. That was new information for both of us and, as mentioned before, does appear to be different from the way that the NBTHK uses the term Den. Best regards, Ray

Agreed, appears to be Den Bizen Osafune Kozori Yukikage. Interestingly, the NTHK NPO treats the usage of the word den differently. In discussion with the team Saturday morning they use it to refer to any unsigned work which is attributed to a specific individual. Best regards, Ray

Markus Sesko provides information on this inscription at the link below. http://markussesko.com/2013/02/15/rare-mentionings-of-forging-techniques-in-sword-signatures/ Best regards, Ray