Seeking re-assurance on my first "Nihonto" purchase.

[Jason N]

To compare.

masahiro_signatures.jpg

 

I transcribed the Kanji from my Masahiro, and something seems odd about the Mei.  Although it's very similar to "Hattori Masahiro", the kanji for "Masa" (3rd from top) appears different than in all the other examples.  See attached pic.

[Jussi Ekholm]

They are different variations of the same character 正.

 

I'm linking a picture that might be of assistance. Unfortunately I don't know anything about new smiths so I can't help in regards of the smith in question.

 

Here are few links for Hattori Masahiro swords with same mei style as yours: You'll probably find more if you search with 服部正廣 even though simplified characters are often used in indexes etc. Sometimes it is still good to search with old format.

 

https://aucview.aucfan.com/yahoo/e185566540/

http://www.militaria.co.za/nmb/topic/26628-translation-identification-assistance-please/

 

[Jason N]

They are different variations of the same character 正.

 

I'm linking a picture that might be of assistance. Unfortunately I don't know anything about new smiths so I can't help in regards of the smith in question.

 

Here are few links for Hattori Masahiro swords with same mei style as yours: You'll probably find more if you search with 服部正廣 even though simplified characters are often used in indexes etc. Sometimes it is still good to search with old format.

 

https://aucview.aucfan.com/yahoo/e185566540/

http://www.militaria.co.za/nmb/topic/26628-translation-identification-assistance-please/

Thanks Jussi.

 

I did find the variation of masa on my sword used in other mei from other smiths. I’m confident the translation is Hattori Masahiro, but puzzled why different variations of “masa” appear on other Hattori Masahiros. It leads me to believe that there must have been different people signing, leaving the question which variation did the smith use vs his apprentices or workers? It’s frustrating not being able to find a Gendaito from this smith to compare with. I’ve found dozens of Showato and Gunto, but all with the variation of masa that doesn’t match mine.

[Jason N]

I took a few more photos today now that I have some time, and I used an actual camera! Still quite some detail lost, as I had to compress the images quite a bit. I think these photos show the jihada pretty well, so tick a box in the Gendaito column. I suppose it's possible to have jihada from folded mono-steel, but every example of that I've seen looks like a fake Damascus.

 

Anyone notice what looks like the beginning of a ware in the kissaki? Could that indicate laminated, e.g. a hansamai construction? There are other areas along the ha that look like a change in texture between the ha and ji which suggests a laminated constructionto me.

[Jason N]

Some more pics with proper lighting.