Please Help A New Sword Owner

[Matt H]

I just inherited 2 Japanese swords that came back from Japan at the end of WWII and I'm trying to research as much as I can about them. I have spent the last few days trying to decipher this I'm not making much headway. If anyone would be willing to take a look at this one and share some information it would be greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance.

[Jussi Ekholm]

津田越前守助広 - Tsuda Echizen no Kami Sukehiro , 延宝三年八月日 - Enpō sannen hachi gatsu hi.

 

See example here: http://www.tsuruginoya.com/mn1_3/f00197.html

[Curran]

Hi Jussi,

 

I think you are confusing the Texan [Texan, first name please- as per forum rules]. We will try to help.

 

    The signature on your sword claims to be made by the smith to which Jussi linked. Please compare the signature very closely for discrepancy, including direction of small strokes and question how identical they are. Not everything signed Van Gogh is a Van Gogh. Yet at quick glance it looks like a nice blade that someone might have 'upped' with a big name signature.

It happened ALOT, especially during the late 1800s.

[Matt H]

So, if this is not an authentic signature is there anything that would indicate when it was actually made?

[Curran]

Matt-

 

Welcome to the Deep Dive.

Yes, many many many things to indicate when and where it was made. There is more information present than can be found in a complete set of fingerprints.

Many unsigned blades can be attributed to specific schools and even specific makers at specific times.

 

I have migrated to mostly just collecting fittings. Hopefully some others can get you further along the road to understanding what you have.

A false signature doesn't mean much. It can still be a very good blade that a merchant simply wanted to add a name.

Thus some people remove signatures nearly as easily as others added them. I never have, so will leave it to others to discuss with you.

 

For starters, try and hook up with one of the better recommended collectors in Texas.

[ROKUJURO]

Matt,

on the photo it looks as if the TSUKA-ITO has not been done by a Japanese craftsman. 

[Matt H]

ROKUJURO, what about it makes you think that?

[Brian]

On a professional wrap, the diamonds are all even and perfectly formed.
Not a huge deal, but does mean someone "fiddled" with it.

[Matt H]

So, its because the wrap should be more uniform in its appearance. Does the material used look correct?

 

I want to thank everyone for their help with this. I have already learned a lot from this site and it's members.

[Geraint]

Dear Matt.

 

As regards the tsuka ito the irregularity is one clue but more than this, the twist in the centre of the tsuka usually alternates.  Have a look at some of the many swords on sites in the links section above.  The ito also looks unhappy over the menuki.

 

However, all this should not discourage you too much, ito is often renewed and of itself this isn't too great a problem.  What you have is a nice katana, with reasonable mounts that has been re wrapped.  (Oops, you don't give measurements so I assume it is a katana.)  Enjoy it for what it is and don't lose any sleep over the fact that it might be a false signature.

 

All the best.

[Grey Doffin]

Hi Matt,

If all the crosses in the wrap are the same way, if the wrap is cut in battle the handle comes completely unwrapped.  If the crosses alternate any damage will be localized and the wrap is less likely to fall off.

Grey

[Vermithrax16]

Hi Matt,

If all the crosses in the wrap are the same way, if the wrap is cut in battle the handle comes completely unwrapped.  If the crosses alternate any damage will be localized and the wrap is less likely to fall off.

Grey

Never knew that!!!!

[Jussi Ekholm]

Ah yes sorry Matt I was so brief, happy that Curran gave you more detailed info. I was in bit of a hurry when I posted so I just did translation part.

 

I try to focus on older swords so I am not too good with these "new" smiths (it's relative when you talk about 1600's). However to me the signature looks different from published examples by him. Like Curran said earlier I think you have good genuine Japanese sword, it just happens to have false signature of very famous maker.

 

I hope you will have fun time researching the swords you inherited and you might catch the bug for this hobby.