Shimosaka Tsuguyoshi Wakizashi

[Prewar70]

Looking for some help on this wakizashi. 18" nagasa, pleasing sugata, suguha hamon with some notare. It does not look like there is activity within the hamon, but could be due to current state of polish. Hard to see the boshi, but based on the hamon leading into the kissaki and the turn back, it might be kaeri yoru (wide turn back). Chu kissaki. Jihada, not sure. The grain is difficult for me to see, perhaps because of the polish or perhaps due to the steel. Jigane is Nanban tetsu, foreign steel. The general appearance to me is a stout, heavy wakizashi with dimensions that look like a katana. Mei was kindly translated by Morita san as, "nanban tetsu, Echizen no kuni Shimosaka Tsuguyoshi." Most likely smith that I can find in Sesko's is on pg. 265, 2nd from the bottom, 1684-1688. Not exactly the same signature though.

 

I have many questions about this sword. Nanbantetsu, was it inferior, or was it expensive to get and therefore at the time more prized? Is the smith an unknown smith or is it in fact the one in Sesko's book from Echizen? I am doubting gimei, because not a famous Smith. Plus the carving of the mei seems nicely done to me but yet I have not had any luck finding this name with Shimosaka school that signed like this.

 

I like this blade, and wondering if it's worth a polish or at least a window. Seems healthy to me like it has not been polished much. Kissaki looks like it can be saved. There is a certain joy that comes from bringing a sword back to life. Probably a loosing proposition measured in dollars with this sword but would like to get your opinion.

 

Finally, why was the nakagojiri left this way, unfinished? It seems intentional, does it have to do with the nanban tetsu steel? The condition seems contradictory to the rest of the nakago. The yasurime is very fine, and seems well done. It is katte sagari. I hope I captured it in some of the photos.

 

Look forward to your feedback, thank you.

[Prewar70]

[Prewar70]

Really? No thoughts on this sword by anyone, that seems odd.

[Brian]

Nakago jiri wasn't left unfinished. It has been crudely shortened a bit from the bottom

[Geraint]

Hi James,

 

With regard to your question about Namban tetsu have a look here, para.7 specifically but all relevant.  http://www.nihonto.com/abtartyasutsugu.html

You might also enjoy this , https://www.researchgate.net/publication/237261498_Namban_steel_and_Hizen_swords_a_provocative_hypothesis

 

Enjoy, and should you decide to polish I look forward to seeing it restored to glory.

 

All the best.

[BIG]

Hi James, here is wakizashi and some info about the school...

 

http://www.juwelier-strebel.de/asien-kunst/Japan/wakizashi-tanto.html

 

Best Regards

[Prewar70]

Thanks for some feedback guys.  I'm getting the feeling there is not a lot of information on this smith.  Peter, the link works, but its in German and when I click English I can't get the swords to pull up.  Skimming for the school or smith in German, I could not find the sword you were pointing me to.  If you have time, maybe you could help.  Thanks.