MarkCB

I live in Missouri Mark. Anyone in this forum nearby?

Hi Steve. That is such a wonderful answer. Totally answers my questions about location of Nagahama and Sekishu. Thank you! Also, happy to provide more pictures to help with style identification. What views would you like?

Hi folks. I continue to dig into the sword’s history and was wondering if you could add some input on a few areas that are confusing to me regarding the Mei and translations of the individual characters. For example: 1. Sekishu. I follow the logic that Sekishu refers to Iwami Province which used to be called Sekishu. Another possibility is modern Day Seki City which was also referred to as Sekishu, right? I’ve been told the sword is Mino vs Bizen style. Mino swords were made in the Seki City area while Bizen style were made in the Iwami province area. Do you agree the sword is Mino style? If so, any thoughts on how to settle on which Sekishu the sword refers to? If it was made while Masanao was in Iwami Province, would it be odd for him to make a Mino sword (assuming you think it is Mino) while living in an area know for Bizen swords? 2. The word Nagahama can refer to a place or a person’s name. The interpretation is it is a place. Others have said it refers to the smith’s actual name and Masanao was his artistic name. Given you interpret Nagahama as a place, where was this place? I saw there is a Nagahama shrine in Izumo Japan which I think was in Iwami province and the shrine appears to predate the sword. So would that have been the area you think? Is there any room in your mind for it to actually refer to a person’s name instead of a place? Why or why not? 3. The two smiths named Masanao. Is there a book I could buy that refers to them and their works or how do I get my hands on any information about them? This is my first time digging into the nuances of ancient Japanese swords and it is very interesting while at the same time confusing. The community of people who are experts on this topic have been very kind to share knowledge though, including all of you! So thank you so much for all your help. I am writting my thoughts on how I came to acquire the sword from a family friend and WW2 veteran, it’s origins (era, swordsmith, location, history at that time, etc) which I plan to pass on to my sons one day along with the sword. So your input is very much appreciated! Warm regards, Mark

Wow. This is a lot to take in. Was thinking this was a WW2 produced sword (which it may still be), but based on all your feedback and the physical clues on the blade itself, it is looking to be much older. For insurance purposes, I think I should have it appraised. I’ll search for an appraiser, but do you guys have a sense of the range of what it may be worth? Do you have referrals to good appraisers? What would an appraisal cost? Can it be done by good photos/video, or would an actual physical examination of the sword be required? Thanks so much all!

Shoot. Can’t upload any more pics right now, but have several more that are what you were asked (nakago, blade dents,etc). Can anyone help so I can upload more pics?

Hey guys. Here are some more pictures. A couple interesting things. The slot for the tang carved out of the wooden handle was carved out hastily. Too much material was removed length wise and it would have been easy enough to trace the tang for a much better job. It was not a precision fit I’d expect, having read of the high quality work done my traditional Japanese sword craftsman. Lastly, my untrained eyes may be playing tricks on me, but I swear I’m seeing evidence of hamon which wouldn’t be present on a mass produced ww2 sword. going to upload the pics in a couple batches as it is saying the files are too late. Thoughts?

Thanks so much Steve and all! It is sad, but all I have is what you see. The rest is gone to time. The blade has been hit with something as there are several dents in the edge. I was trying to figure out how ot could have ww2 era fittings with a sword-maker who died prior to the war. Either fake markings or it is much older than the war.

Oh wow. This is soo interesting. So that is the “where” and the “who”. Are you guys familiar with this sword and sword smith. I’m thinking it was a ww2 era sword from Bruce’s clue about the black Fuchi, right?

Oh wow. This is soo interesting. So that is the “where” and the “who”. Are you guys familiar with this sword and sword smith. I’m thinking it was a ww2 era sword from Bruce’s clue about the black Fuchi, right?

Thanks Bruce and Ray. Unfortunately, that is all I have of it. No fittings. I’m very much a novice. Wondering what year it was made, where it was made, who made it, and what the inscriptions say.

Wondering if I could get some assistance with what this says? It is a sword my dad gave me. It was a friend of dads. His friend was a ww2 US soldier who was stationed in Japan for a time after the war. He befriended a Japanese soldier who gave it to him as a gift when he went home. Thanks in advance!