Gimmick

Gimei as in counterfeit? It belonged to my Dutch grandfather who survived working on the Burma Railway (aka the Death Railway) as a POW (though he was a civilian) and he somehow ended up with the sword of a Japanese soldier. Are you implying a Japanese soldier brought a counterfeit sword to serve him on the battlefield? And rust on a sword that has been through World War II makes it counterfeit, because...? If you are going to disrespect this wakizashi by calling it counterfeit or a counterfeit signature, I'd like you to add some solid arguments other than "rust".

I'm so confused by the modern kanji 八! It looks so different in the metal. I have compared my nakago with the one below, and the kanji on the left are identical. If I compare that to what you wrote "友成五十八代孫", I am willing to take your word for it haha. So the 58th generation? That means this man? "Special Feature: Yokoyama Sukekane 58 Dai Mago: just because he was the 58th grandson of Bizen Tomonari. Yokoyama school has invented unique “Yokoyama Choji” and flourished. It was unprecedented that they broke the going Choji methods and invented new means." February Ansei 7, that is 1860? So from what I'm gathering, this is a pretty special wakizashi? Thanks for all the help everyone!

So another shot at the smith:

I'm very much willing to make a thread in the translation section, but I would imagine they venture outside of there too and might run into this thread by themselves? Anyway, I'm having fun trying to figure out the first part, so maybe I will get it later tonight.

I think the last three kanjis, after Yokoyama, might be identical to those on this one, which as you said is Sukesada saku?

I used a flashlight to make the drawings. Anyway, I'm pretty sure most of the part on the "right" is identical to this, except for the smith, which is also what you are saying:

I don't know if this helps or if this makes it harder, but here is my attempt at drawing the kanji. I've looked at the glossary but I am not getting very far. I think the first ones are Tomo and Nari, which gives us Tomonari, which is a name that must be familiar to some of you?

All I can make out is 国宝

4/4

3/4

2/4

Now for the other side

4/4

3/4

2/4

Ok guys, ask and you shall receive. I will need several posts considering the attachment limit. There is plenty to be seen though!

I see we posted at the same time. I will be happy to show the nakago in the future, but since it has not been opened/exposed since at least many, many decades, I need more preparation for that.

By the way, I am aware the nakago is very informative, but I'm not ready to mess with the mekugi yet, so I'm going step by step.

Here is a better look at the tip of the blade, forgive me for not using the proper terms, I haven't memorized them all yet.

Hi all, I'm new to the forum. I collect mainly khukuri knives, but I also have this wakizashi. If you have any opinions, I would love to hear them. Personally I am unable to find another nihonto with a hamon quite like this. I won't bother naming it haha. I know this historic piece can use some TLC, but this is how it came to me and I'm in the process of identifying it and depending on the age/"rank" I want to have it done correctly. Regards, Ferry