Boy O Boy Do I Need Some Help - Please Help

[xcivicdx]

So i took the tsuka off my grandfathers sword.  Its very very difficult to make out all characters to translate but I will attach all that I have taken for you guys to look

 

I tried my best, it seemed like the middle of the signature was kind of unreadable.

 

I really need help figuring this one out.

 

thanks

 

[cabowen]

越州住下坂

 

Esshu ju Shimosaka

[xcivicdx]

Do you know any info on this maker or how i can find out more about the maker/sword?

[Grey Doffin]

Hi Bryan,

Shimosaka was a group of smiths.  Try google to learn more.

Grey

[xcivicdx]

Im going to try to find more info, i can find blades from that group but not by that smith. Any thoughts on date of blade? My grandfather brought this back in shirasaya from ww2.

[Mark]

a mei like yours gives the idea of 1600-1750. As Grey mentioned Shimosaka is a group, so that "name" was used by a number of individuals from the group.

[cabowen]

1600's....

[xcivicdx]

I find if to be interesting that my grandfather picked this sword out of everything available and now i have it.

[xcivicdx]

越州住下坂

 

Esshu ju Shimosaka

I find info on Shimosaka but nothing pertaining to Esshu. Maybe im not searching the right words

[Shugyosha]

Try Echizen Shimosaka. Esshu is an alternative name for Echizen province.

 

Your Granddad made a lot better choice than many other guys who took a sword home. 

 

Best regards,

[xcivicdx]

He said he could have chosen a sword all dressed but found beauty in the shirasaya's simplicity. He did use it to chase people from his home before(intruders)

[Brian]

Shimosaka is an area in Esshu so if you found the one, you found the other.

 

Brian

[xcivicdx]

i kind find info on the area and specific examples but I wish I could find the actual smith.  There is nothing on the other side, no other signature info.  so i imagine it was just one of the students of that school in that area?

[Jean]

Mark Jones gave you the answer Bryan. :-)

[xcivicdx]

i missed that post sorry!

 

thanks!