Stephen V Posted June 2, 2007 Report Posted June 2, 2007 Hi, I would appreciate some help with identifying the signature and provinence of a sword that was brought home from the Burma campaign at the end of WW2. The blade is not in great condition and shows some signs of conflict on the cutting edge together with some discolouration of the polish of the blade. The blade is only 50cm in length which has led me to believe it is a Wakizashi. I have only recently examined the engraved characters and I believe that it was forged in the eigth month of the year 1466. From my investigations I have only been able to tentatively ascertain that it comes from Bishu province? but am not really able to decipher much else except that the the smith's name appears to end in "mitsu". Can anyone help? and is this possibly a blade of some interest? Quote
Ronin 47 Posted June 2, 2007 Report Posted June 2, 2007 The signature reads Bi Shu Osa Fune and I'm guessing here Mori? Mitsu. So if I'm right it should read Bishu Osafune Morimitsu. Hope that helps. Austin Quote
Grey Doffin Posted June 2, 2007 Report Posted June 2, 2007 The sword is signed, "Bishu Osafune Sadamitsu" and dated, I think, "Kansho Roku Nen Hachi Gatsu Hi". That's a day in the 8th month of 1465. Grey Quote
Stephen Posted June 2, 2007 Report Posted June 2, 2007 very good shots of the nakago, please share some of the blade looks to be third Gen Sadamitsu with a re shaped nakago, a interesting find id say. Quote
Nobody Posted June 2, 2007 Report Posted June 2, 2007 Hi, I do not agree with "sada". As you can see, the nakago was reshaped and mune side was slightely lost with some parts of the kanji. Quote
sencho Posted June 2, 2007 Report Posted June 2, 2007 I would say NORI for sure... I have similar mei on one of my wakizashi.... BISHU OSAFUNE NORIMITSU 備州長船則光 I think you are correct with the date too KANSHO ROKU NEN HATCHI GATSU HI (1466 8th Month) 寛 正 六 年 八 月 日 Cheers Quote
sencho Posted June 2, 2007 Report Posted June 2, 2007 I beg your pardon... 1460 being the first year would mean 1465 would be the 6th year as Stephen correctly states.... Cheers Quote
Ronin 47 Posted June 2, 2007 Report Posted June 2, 2007 Well, for the third and last time :lol:, I change my opinion to that the mei reads Bishu osafune Norimitsu. Quote
sencho Posted June 2, 2007 Report Posted June 2, 2007 this is SADAMITSU which is what Grey is working on I believe.... 貞光 Even though we are not clearly seeing the two upright strokes on NORI, I still think that this is what it is..... I reckon it is too lopsided for SADA... Quote
Stephen V Posted June 2, 2007 Author Report Posted June 2, 2007 Hello again Well, thank you all for the great information. Stephen asked to see more detail of the blade so I have posted that with this update. As I mentioned in the first posting the condition is not great and in fact there appear to be some strike marks on the cutting edge especially towards the tip. Not surprising I suppose given that this sword has not been touched since being surrendered in 1945. I am pleased to find out that the blade originates from Osafune village in the province of Bishu as my reading on the subject indicates that this was a site where swords of good quality were produced in the Muromachi period. Once again, thanks heaps. Quote
Stephen Posted June 2, 2007 Report Posted June 2, 2007 I guess I need to stop and look, I agree with Moriyama sama, (once again the eagle eye) with Norimitsu, a few more pages of Norimitsu than Sadamitsu but with the date it looks like its 6'th Gen, which is even better rated smith, I feel this is in not as bad shape as you may think (from the pix not in hand) and worthy of a restoration project, the reshaping of the nakago could have been from a mounting in a Kyu-gunto mount. A shinsa and polish may be in order for this. VNF Quote
Stephen Posted June 2, 2007 Report Posted June 2, 2007 from Fujishiro, you can see how the right bar of Norimitsu was before reshaping. Stephen V i edited your file so its upright and ready to read without the head tilt....got a creek in my neck. Quote
Brian Posted June 2, 2007 Report Posted June 2, 2007 Stephen, Nice looking blade. Looks like someone altered the nakago for the mounts at some stage, instead of the other way round. But looks like it may be worth a (professional) restoration if you have the inclination and funds. I like the hi (grooves) too...still looking for my first sword with well cut hi Rough, but doesn't look like it is too far gone. Brian Quote
Stephen Posted June 2, 2007 Report Posted June 2, 2007 Reading http://www.nihonto.com/abtartnorimitsu.html Quote
Jean Posted June 2, 2007 Report Posted June 2, 2007 Just for you Brian, It is a wak by Yoshimitsu (Hawley 1290) dtd Kosho 2nd year (1456) : Quote
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.