Ray Singer

Contact Josiah Boomershine. Boomershinejosiah@gmail.com

A shortened sword signed Bishu __ ( made in Bizen Provence).

Unfortunately this is not authentic. Please see below. https://www.jssus.org/nkp/fake_japanese_swords.html

A kitae-ware running parallel to the edge is not a fatal flaw, even if it is within the hamon.

The mei is Heianjo Yoshisada saku. I believe on the reverse is 儘忠報國, and refers to a Chinese expression about exhausting ones loyalty and dedication to country.

I believe this is: Mei (name): 継義作 - Tsuguyoshi saku Nengo (date): 昭和十八年八月日 (a day in August, 1943) Per Markus Sesko below: "TSUGUYOSHI (継義), Shōwa (昭和, 1926-1989), Gunma – “Imai Ichiryūshi Tsuguyoshi” (今井一龍子継義), “Tsuguyoshi” (継義), real name Imai Fujitarō (今井藤太郎), born 1902, gō Ichiryūshi (一龍子), he studied under Kasama Shigetsugu (笠間繁継) and worked as rikugun-jumei-tōshō"

Hi Jesse, please see below. https://www.jssus.org/nkp/fake_japanese_swords.html

Rivkin beat me by 5 seconds :). Agreed, that is my feeling as well.

Looks like a nice naginatanaoshi Jan. Perhaps Muromachi Mino (following after Naoe Shizu, between Shigaseki and later Sue-Seki).

I have a just a few sets of flashcards left and will likely not print additional sets this year. If anyone was thinking about purchasing a set, please reach out and let me know. https://swordsofjapan.com/product-category/supplies/flashcards/ For anyone who might be interested in learning how to read Japanese sword inscriptions, I created several educational sets in the form of flashcards, with the intention of teaching both how to read kanji, and also to provide study material related to the Japanese sword: schools, time periods, smith's mei, terminology, etc. Set 1: Commonly seen kanji for swordsmith mei, with an average of 4 examples using that kanji Set 2: Provinces, with information on each and including some representative swordsmiths and schools Set 3: Time periods from late Heian to present, with material on each era Each set is US25 + shipping & PP. If you would like to order, please message me directly with your name, shipping address, email and which set you would like. Examples of each type are attached here.

Thank you Mike, I corrected the translation above based on the photos you sent by email.

I believe the mei is Izumi (no) kami Kanesada - 和泉守兼重. A clearer, correctly oriented photo would be appreciate though. https://nihontoclub.com/smiths/KAN2268

The blade is a Nanbokucho period Esshu Kuniyuki. There is an increasing degree of forgiveness on shinsa outcomes as you go further back in time. Older swords by respected old masters can receive Tokubetsu Hozon or higher even with varying degrees of flaws and condition issues. I am away from home at the moment, but perhaps someone can post photos of the Compton collection Ko-Bizen Hiromitsu, which had a quite severe and extended kitae-ware in the monouchi, but received juyo being a long, ubu, zaimei example by that very rare Ko-Bizen smith. Perhaps that particular sword would not have received juyo today, I'm no longer I'm comfortable speculating on the ability of a particular sword to pass Juyo, but I'm only sharing as an example of the leeway that can be given based on age and historical importance (among other factors).

Musashi Daijo Korekazu

Perhaps Kaneyuki saku - 兼幸.

This is no longer the case. The NBTHK is now awarding Tokubetsu Hozon for osuriage mumei Muromachi period swords, including those with only school attributions (not to a specific, famous swordsmith). I have seen an increasing number of osuriage mumei Muromachi blades receive Tokubetsu Hozon, even osuriage mumei wakizashi. A Tokubetsu Hozon Mihara was just recently offered for sale in the FB discussion groups.

https://web.archive.org/web/20210123052753/https://blog.yuhindo.com/ladder-theory/

Hi Bosco, most of the pieces I focus on tend to be in that time range and I sometimes have larger examples like the 79cm ( 2 shaku 6 sun 1 bun ) Unju below. Please message me to discuss what might be available. Best regards, Ray

This looks quite spectacular actually. Appears to be a ginzogan (silver inlaid) 3 body cutting best dated 1652 (承応 - Jōō gannen). I am traveling at the moment, I am sure someone else will respond with a more detailed translation. Please be sure to care for it well (do not handle the blade with bare hands and keep oiled to preserve the condition and avoid rusting).

Paul, it is best if you can show the entire inscription in a single clear, straight-on, vertical image. Please see below for an example. Do not do anything on your own to clean or polish the blade.

Hi MP, here is one I posted for sale to this group earlier. Any questions, please just let me know. Best regards, Ray

http://www.militaria.co.za/articles/Examining_the_Origin_of_Soshu-den_old.pdf

The mei is Unji. https://nihontoclub.com/view/smiths/meisearch?type=All&mei_op=contains&mei=雲次

It is stamped with a mei in kanji: Masayuki. See below.

I believe this is Seiryuken Eiju. https://www.google.com/search?client=ms-android-google&sca_esv=58560bd20a15475a&sxsrf=AHTn8zp5Hr0dcBVVU0Peg1qcnXs29I0QmA:1743779099394&q=seiryuken+site:www.militaria.co.za&nfpr=1&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwi_z6Su076MAxVJp7AFHXjlI48QvgUoAXoECA0QAg&biw=411&bih=785&dpr=2.63