help with blade identification Hiromitsu ?

[1tallsword]

ok so i purchased this blade for my collection recently because the whole package screamed out to me. I have gone as far as i can with my knowledge. This is where im hoping you folks can step in with your thoughts and opinions please. I purchased this blade in what i believe is shikomizue ( cane sword fittings) probably meiji period ( some time after 1876 to 1900 im guessing? seems to be better quality than most you tend to see. the sword is much much earlier and has me stumped. it is a suriage blade the 2 symbol mei is barely visable but in good light with a good eye it can bee seen. i tried with a flash and its the best i could get. Im seeing HiroMitsu I believe? I realize i might be asking the impossible here but what are you folks seeing for mei? if any? the flash made the nakago look more lighter color rust, so i took a few at the end with no flash and you can see it has GOOD dark patina with black rust, im feeling this blade is koto or earlier? what are your thoughts? also the blade is 26 inches with a interesting wide raised ridge line (shinogi) in the one pic you can see the shape of the Habaki and its almost diamond shape. the blade thins down toward the tip with an elegant kissaki and blade, not beefy at all. very similar to a couple koto bizen blades i have ... I WOULD LIKE TO HEAR YOUR COMMENTS ON MEI? AGE OF BLADE? AND SCHOOL JUDGING BY THIS BLADES STYLE/FORM.? ANY THOUGHTS AND OPINIONS ARE WELCOME AND I HOPE THIS CAN BE A GOOD STUDY FOR US ALL, THANKS TO ALL WHO TUNE AND AND THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR TIME AND KNOWLEDGE, CHEERS,,,, JEREMY SCOTT.

[1tallsword]

more pics

[1tallsword]

and more

[1tallsword]

NAKAGO PICS

[Brian]

Wasn't made originally as a cane sword, so chances are good that the blade is far above the usual dross found in these mounts. Has had a professional polish too...so someone thought well of it.

 

Brian

[hxv]

Jeremy,

 

I like your blade, especially the elegant shape with the very high shinogi ji (as seen in the habaki itself).

 

Regards,

Hoanh

[John A Stuart]

I suspect this is an extremely late Muromachi or Momoyama Mino blade, just from the characteristics I see and if you read it right, I can't, Hiromitsu would fit. John

[Mark]

I can see where it may have had Hiromitsu lacquer that has worn away. The shape and construction gives the impression of latter Yamato work

[Stephen]

I see a buried mei, something's there

[1tallsword]

thank you all for the comments.great to hear your thoughts, cheers.... Jeremy scott

[cabowen]

Yamato is what came to my mind as well....The signature looks to have been lightly cut or partially removed...

[1tallsword]

thank you chris for your input,I do see what you mean about about yamato, typical slender elegant blade with raised shingi.. i guess the first mei could be mistaken for hiro and accually be kage :D to my eyes its something along that line.but my eyes are very novice :lol: but doc says i have better than 20/20 vision :lol: the second kanji looks like mitsu, first could be hiro or kage ?? something along those lines.... im still waiting for someone to tune in and say it could be anything :lol: Jeremy scott

[SwordGuyJoe]

Could be hiro (?), but "Kane" is a possibility.

[kuromido]

I think the first kanji is "Kane" looking at pics 4&5

PeterD

[1tallsword]

thank you to all that tuned in, thanks Joe and peter for your comments. I guess a shinsa will settle this... will keep you all posted as to the findings. cheers

[Pauln93]

I'm jealous. I've been looking for a blade in cane mount for a while but haven't had any luck

[Shugyosha]

Here's one: http://www.nihonto.com/10.9.12.html

 

Kind regards,