Can Anyone Help Please? Ww2 Era Smith

[The_ozzy_samurai]

Hey guys,so i picked up this recently can anyone help with signature? i have had a look online but trying to match up from pics is getting to me,im not the best with these signatures i only know a few symbols by eye,thank you kindly

 

Julian

 

 

 

[Jean]

This one is very easy. The first two kanji may be the name of the province, the last two the name of the smith. The mei is as if it was printed. Try with this:

 

http://www.jssus.org/nkp/index.html

[Stephen]

長 first part of name, 

 

Jean the second is not on the mei kanji page

 

its not the best link to send starters too.

 

Look on Japanese Sword Index

 

look under swordsmiths

http://www.japaneseswordindex.com/nihonto.htm

[Stephen]

http://www.japaneseswordindex.com/kanji/prov.htm

 

http://www.japaneseswordindex.com/kanji/kanji3.htm

 

http://www.japaneseswordindex.com/kanji/kanji2.htm

[SwordGuyJoe]

When you're done figuring it out, look for other examples. This mei doesn't smell quite right to me... Almost like it's trying hard to be the smith's stylized mei, but doesn't quite get there. Pics of the blade would be helpful.

[The_ozzy_samurai]

When you're done figuring it out, look for other examples. This mei doesn't smell quite right to me... Almost like it's trying hard to be the smith's stylized mei, but doesn't quite get there. Pics of the blade would be helpful.

 

I havent taken and good images of it yet,but its in early to mid war Type 98 high grade mounts with metal scabbard,i found a pic like this after alot of stuffing around,looks like im on the right track

[SwordGuyJoe]

Yes. That is the right smith. It's Ichihara Ichiryushi Nagamitsu. Perhaps it is the picture, but the "swooping" style of his mei seems more forced on yours and less fluid. I could be wrong, but while the quality of these swords vary greatly, typically the stylized mei tends to be quite uniform.

[Jean]

Stephen,

 

Of course, it is. Look at six strokes in "kanji for mei": 光 Mitsu

[The_ozzy_samurai]

Stephen,

 

Of course, it is. Look at six strokes in "kanji for mei": 光 Mitsu

 

 

But it is legit isn't it? maybe his sword signer was having a bad day,i did hear that some or most smiths had people to carve the mei in,they just wrote it on in marker or something? dont bash me but thats what i heard off an older guy a while back,as i have had 2 kanenori's from WW2 era together and both had different depth and width of tool used and one looks more cleanly cut other maybe a rush job getting close to beer o'clock?

[Jean]

Julian,

 

My expert on this topic is Joe.

[Stephen]

Last time ill help, no thanks just correction.

[SwordGuyJoe]

It might be legit. It might not. I've seen a few gimei Nagamitsu's on what was clearly Seki showato. Like I said, it may just be a bad pic that you posted. All of this is likely moot until we see pics of the blade itself.

 

One thing I like to do is print off mei so I can literally look at them side by side, kanji by kanji. See if you can find some more (should be REALLY easy) and look really closely at each character. You will see what I am seeing. One other thing to look for is the kesho yasurime - the filing pattern on the nakago. Yours seems non-committed and a little light. The nakago jiri is a little off too. Again, could be wrong here.

 

http://www.nihontoantiques.com/archive/images/nagamitsu%20gendai.jpg

 

The reason that I'm asking for pics of the sword is that the mei is just one piece of trying to determine the maker of the sword. By just focusing on the mei and nakago, it's like trying to pick a person out of a line up just by their hair color.

[tesscoothome123]

Hi Julian, This may be a student or apprentice signed blade overseen by Nagamitsu. Regards, John

[SwordGuyJoe]

As I said before, the mei does not vary greatly. This indicates a single person signing the blade, regardless of who made it. Nagamitsu was likely the only one signing these blades.

[The_ozzy_samurai]

Thanks heaps for all the feedback guys,i appreaciate all the links and information on this blade,will have some better pics in few days, i probably post them in the military section as it may be getting a little off topic for this section as we know who its meant to be so far,the blade has a wave hamon,cutting edge 26",sori is about normal compared to most others i have had from this era,cheer's

 

Julian