Mark

Bizen Kuni Ju Osafune Sukesada saku....... made by Sukesada from Bizen provice, from the town of Osafune or from Osafune group or school i would pass

if this were mine and i was trying to figure it out i would start thinking this is a name (the swords name) as Ray said. The english meaning of Aki will have little or no help you need someone who recognizes the kanji and know the meaning in the proper sword context. My guess it it is a name that means something about "cuts like through warm butter" or similar. You will need to be patient and someone will know and reply. Thanks for changing the pictures, standing on my head to see the kanji was a challenge

first year of Showa was 1926 so 20th is 1945 add 20 to 25 (26-1)

yoshihide may 1945

i mailed 2 swords and 3 tsuba to a customer here in the U.S. Priority insured marked "fragile" took 3 weeks instead of 3 days and when it arrived the box was smashed and torn open and the tsuba gone. i guess they could not get the swords in their pockets. It was a nightmare

grey has one for sale if you need a copy https://www.japaneseswordbooksandtsuba.com/store/books/b836-Japanese-polearms-knutsen

Grey has a copy of the book mentioned https://www.japaneseswordbooksandtsuba.com/store/books/b836-Japanese-polearms-knutsen

Grey and I are at the SF show. We have an extra pass for the show. Early entry, all days, including dinner. If interested email me nixe@bright.net

it is hard to start (or run ) a show. Bill Green tried Philadelphia and Baltimore but neither received much support . You would have to pick a date that is not close to another sword show and does not conflict with a "big" other show. maybe October or early November. Having the show in/at a hotel seems to work for the other sword shows. Having it near a large airport helps (if you want people to come from a distance it needs to be convenient, people prefer direct flights not connections especially when traveling with swords). If you are going to try i would say start small, and manage the growth. Orlando started with a couple dozen tables and is growing. You could start a study group or club and expand from that. If you have a show i would try and attend and support it.

sword looks real. A lot of swords are not signed. The tsuba either has been damaged or is a later cast type....... just my opinion

Thank you Moriyama-san........ happy to know what it says, i appreciate your help

i have a tag, that is beyond my ability to translate. It probably is the owner and maybe an address of information to identify him. any help appreciated thanks mark

9-8 saturday 9-3 sunday

quick guess before looking, Yamato Shizu if i am allowed 3 answers like last time i will look further

Dave Komonjo has had a table in the past at the SF show, Showa22 is usually in attendance and walks around but does not have a table (that i remember).

what does it cover? all smiths or a section?

retail market value $1200-1500 (mediocre showato 700-1000 staff tassel 250-400), bear in mind that is from pictures

if you google "shaku to inches" you will get a dozen converters https://www.kampaibudokai.org/Script.htm

Sadamune

Harima (no) Kami xxxxxx saku

yes, so easiest to look at the first 2 kanji, there are only a limited number of provinces, the when you find the right one look and see who had the title XXXX (no) Kami and pick your guy

Nambokucho Soshu Akihiro Nambokucho Soshu Hiromitsu i will do more research before making third guess

I found this on Bob Benson's site https://www.bushidojapaneseswords.com/nbthk-shinsa-submission.html i would verify with the agent you are using they will know of any changes

you live a few miles from the Chicago show. why not bring them all next year and there are several people who can look at them in person and give you advice and then go from there.

I have used Robert Hughes (member here) and Bob Benson in the past. There are others but i do not have personal experience so can't comment. Both have been excellent to work with. You can check the web NBTHK has a site. You need hozon and TH before you can submit for juyo. I think you have to be a NBTHK member to submit for Juyo, you can check with the agent you choose and they can tell you, they may be able to submit it under their names. For Hozon and/or TH i would think the sword will be gone for at least 6 months but it may take longer you can ask the agent, Juyo is only once a year and depending on the outcome it may be more than a year before it is back. If you want to submit for Juyo a polish may be required, if so it can take a couple of years for it all to get done. When i have sent items before i try and forget about them and then i am happy and surprised when the return.