Sukeshige Wakizashi - Questions regarding Mei and age

[Sam Elliott]

Good day all,

 

Not to long ago I came into posession of a wakizashi. Both the seller and I have been able to identify the mei as Sukeshige. However neither of us felt without question that it was any Sukeshige we have seen listed. Hawley's lists only 4 total, Fujishiro 2, Nihonto Koza 1. As many smith's existed in Bizen it seems dificult to believe that there were only a small number who signed Sukeshige. Could be one of the two Shinshinto smith's listed in Hawley's, but to the seller ( As well as my novice eye) the nakago looks older, probably not early Koto but older than shinshinto. Could it be late Koto or Shinto ???

 

Note: If all photos are not showing, the correct view for the nakago is #4163

 

Cheers,

 

Sam

 

[Shugyosha]

Dear Sam,

 

To my semi-educated eye, the late koto or early shinto candidates would seem more appropriate than shinshinto. The patina on the tang and the (almost) absence of ha machi and mune machi suggest an older blade. But I'm sure you'll get a more informed view in a while.

 

Kind regards,

John Johnson

[cabowen]

Does it have utsuri? Generally speaking, if yes, most likely older. If not, then most likely later.

[Sam Elliott]

Gentlemen - thank you for the input.

 

 

 

Chris - there is utsuri, so perhaps it does fall into the older category. It may be worth noting there is also a sprinkling of ji-nie, although it cant really be seen in the photos.

 

Thanks again,

 

Sam