Ray Singer

There was a large, thin book published which I bought when Tanobe-sensei came to the 2003 Tampa Sword Show. I do not recall seeing an electronic copy, but a member here may have a copy of the spiral bound book for sale. Best regards, Ray

The kitae ware should be mostly or fully covered by the habaki. This may be the reason that the sword is its current length (if osuriage, the shortening may have been just enough to conceal the kizu). I would not consider this to be a fatal flaw. A friend owned an exceptionally nice Juyo Yamato blade with a very large and deep rust pit which was similarly positioned. There was also a great osuriage mumei wakizashi that passed at 77 points to Uda Kunifusa in Tampa, also having a large flaw concealed by the habaki. Best regards, Ray

One thing to keep in mind here is that the munemachi may sit higher or lower in the habaki depending on how the habaki is made. I have seen a few where the munemachi was quite low, which would create more distance between the mekugi-ana and the habaki. The mekugi-ana is still implausably high up the nakago though, as others have said. Best, Ray

Seki ju Hoshiya Yoshinaga. Best regards, Ray

As I mentioned to Bob offline, I know this sword and encountered it in person a couple of months ago. It came out of the same collection as the Dotanuki Genzaemon katana I purchased in February. My impression at the time was Sue Koto Mino Kanemoto. The sanbonsugi seen in the photos is the real hamon, definitely not an artifact created through hadori. I felt it was worth collecting and the fact that I did not try to purchase this one in addition to the Dotanuki was more a reflection of my finances at the time. Best regards, Ray

Appears to be Sadatsugu. Best regards, Ray

Like Paul and Barry, I am leaning towards gimei. Best regards, Ray

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