stevel48

More images. Any other opinions?

Last kanji looks like aki. Perhaps hammamatsu ju kaneaki

Im still learning but there are so many simmilar kanji. Mabe a nobu, kane or matsu.

Even the inlay of the signature looks odd. Set in vs. hammerd on top.

not mine yet so this is what I have to go on so far. Awaiting better photos. Isn't kanesada one of the most faked smiths of all time? from what I can see looks like mino tradition.

maybe nosada as well? https://yuhindo.com/nosada/ http://www.militaria.co.za/nmb/topic/15687-kanesada-opinions/

2nd character may be an. 安 Steve

Only on one side though

Then there is this odd marking on tha nakago. Just for fun.

A smoke oshigata seems reasonable as the mei is somewhat faint. Smells like they rubbed it with wood charcoal and not soot from a candle.

Correct. Some of the Later Moritaka sons did not use sotoba as many in the school did. https://www.aoijapan.com/katana-moritaka-kongo-hyoe

Hmmm. New to me wakizashi that arrived today and upon inspection the nakago smells like a camp fire. hmmmm, Suspicious yes but there is zero indication that the blade was ever in a fire as i can see. There no scaling, no discoloration, no additional temper line, the nakago has a nice chocolate brown appearance and nothing rubs off on your hand. Yeah its suspicious but it isn't scaring me away. It was hundreds of dollars not thousands. Presented as a muromachi Kongobyoe Moritaka. By all accounts the sword attributes jive with the period, koto sword traits, school and other examples of Moritaka nihonto. The mei seems genuine in that it was certainly chiseled and has aged/patina'd at the same rate as the rest of the nakago So what gives? Is it the tsuka causing the smell if a craftsman long ago used fire for whatever crazy reason when carving it? Was it a fireplace poker for someone? The koshirae looks edo and has no ash smell to it. Is someone trying to darken the nakago with soot? The nakago is not black but a nice brown patina. Is carbon used to clean active red rust of which there are only 2 spots. This is only my 4th sword in about 10 years so i'm not well versed in the sword game trickery.

I would Google them and get them right from the supplier. I know they are available on other sites.

yep Large Display Stand Clear Acrylic Easel Holder for Pocket Watches, Lighters & Knife (Qty 3) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00G98P3KE/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_KC1qybCNZH179 and Sword Stands for Antique and Vintage Swords for Displays and Shows. SOLD AS SINGLE UNITS for Mixing Sizes. (usually pick 2) Clear Acrylic. SWS-3 (3 inch) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00GY6EX66/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_FD1qybWGQTD17

chaquitamitsu

these new ones will look great in my display case.

its perfect...but the funds are low after the above spree.

not too bad though. new tsuba and menuki that follow the theme of my collection of koshirae.

no. would be #4. I've passed on it. it just intrigued me. the mei vs. the blade characteristics and what it really was or was not.

I agree.

i can find no info on this smith...is this last kanji masa? this sword is katana mei and unaltered. ubu so unlikely it is rai school.

odd signature rigjt? I can find no smith with that name. this rust looks rough

hello. this is a possible purchase for me. the seller does not know much about the sword. it's in rough shape but we have some information to go on from the Saya and Mei. could it read rai kuni ...? it looks like koto steel but its katana meI and it seems like the rai school was tachi and tanto. steve

will do

thanks for the research Jim. Shinsa will confirm it some day. it could go either way but the Kanji for wara is what seems to different between the 2 generations