Matt House Posted April 25, 2019 Report Posted April 25, 2019 So I'm hoping to get some help identifying/translating the markings on an old blade. It was a gift from an old friend, and I've just now gotten a fire under me to do something about it. It's been pretty badly maimed, and I think it's a WWII 'bring back' that someone took an angle grinder to the edge of, blunting it. More pictures available on request. Quote
Matt House Posted April 25, 2019 Author Report Posted April 25, 2019 Sigh, because of course it would come out sideways, even after several attempts to make it come out vertical. My apologies. Quote
Guido Posted April 25, 2019 Report Posted April 25, 2019 Hard to read, but could be Bishū Osafune Ietsugu 備州長船家次. 1 Quote
Matt House Posted April 25, 2019 Author Report Posted April 25, 2019 Thank you, but I have no idea what that means. I'm about as ignorant on the topic of Japanese swords as one can be, and still know what one is. Could you enlighten me? Quote
Ray Singer Posted April 25, 2019 Report Posted April 25, 2019 Matt, if the signature is authentic this link will give you the likely working period when your sword would have been made (Muromachi period, perhaps Eisho circa 1504-1521). If you search online for Bizen Ietsugu you will find other helpful information. https://books.google.com/books?id=46IYtI0nkiEC&pg=PA102&lpg=PA102&dq=Bizen+Ietsugu&source=bl&ots=BRGfXc_RRq&sig=ACfU3U1F5wYMZxW-itCqXrxhTXdw6D7cQg&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiywMPUquvhAhWStlkKHRsWDcQQ6AEwC3oECAUQAQ#v=onepage&q=Bizen%20Ietsugu&f=false Quote
Geraint Posted April 25, 2019 Report Posted April 25, 2019 Dear Matt. Bishu is one way of writing Bizen which is the province, Oasfune is the town and Ietsugu is the smith. Something like Texas, San Antonio,Matt. Can we see pictures of the blade and mounts? All the best. Quote
Matt House Posted April 27, 2019 Author Report Posted April 27, 2019 Sorry for the delay. Here are the pictures you asked for, feel free to ask for more or different photos. Just tell me what you need. Quote
Matt House Posted May 8, 2019 Author Report Posted May 8, 2019 Uh.. Geraint? I sent those images you asked for. Quote
lambo35 Posted May 9, 2019 Report Posted May 9, 2019 The pictures of the blade will not enlarge. Chuck Quote
Geraint Posted May 9, 2019 Report Posted May 9, 2019 Hi Matthew. I'm afraid I can't open the blade images either, nice shot of the habaki though, (blade collar). It's what is called a niju habaki or two piece, a classy option as the majority are single piece. If you measure the blade from tip to the notch on the back edge where the habaki sits what length do you get? Ray has pointed you in the right direction so your sword may well be from 1504 to 1521. Fascinating or what? If the bug has bitten and you want to go further with this then you need to get someone to see it in hand. The best treatment will be a proper polish and a shirasaya, (plain wooden mounts). This is not cheap but you will be restoring something of some history. As the sword was a gift then it is probably worth it financially. Please do ask here for recommendations for proper polishers, a lot of people think they can do it and ruin swords. If you can fix the pictures maybe we can see a bit more to help you. All the best. Quote
Matt House Posted May 10, 2019 Author Report Posted May 10, 2019 thanks. I'll see if I can fix the images, I'm not sure why they don't work. Quote
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.