Stockfball11 Posted December 16, 2020 Report Posted December 16, 2020 Recently received a sword that to me appears to be from Japan from my grandfather who served in WWII. Looking to find as much about the sword as possible here given I have no background or expertise in the area. The signature on the tang is able to be seen in person but have had near impossible luck getting it to appear in an image. May have to try and hand copy the signature to paper to at least see if someone recognizes my poor attempt at copying it (not sure if that’s something I should try and do). Any and all help is beyond appreciated. *No responses will be used as info/facts/professional opinions on any kind of listing* This is just for my own knowledge on what I have. *Happy to post any additional pictures that may be needed as I’m not sure what pictures are the best to post and didn’t want to inundate the thread with unnecessary photos* Andrew S. Quote
Stockfball11 Posted December 16, 2020 Author Report Posted December 16, 2020 OP: Additional photo of the tang Andrew S. Quote
DravenLadd Posted December 16, 2020 Report Posted December 16, 2020 Looks similar to mine, but I could be wrong. I am sure another will be able to tell you further but it looks like a k98 shin gunta. Couldnt tell you on the name or anything on the age of the blade. Quote
Geraint Posted December 16, 2020 Report Posted December 16, 2020 Dear Andrew. Nick is right about the koshirae, the mounting, it is a Shingunto mount from WWII. It looks as though the tsuba, the guard, is pierced and the whole thing is above average. The blade is interesting and seemingly much older than the rest. This happens but is not all that common. The inscription that you show is a date and looks at first glance like it might be Tenbun period. I can't be sure from these images but that would place it around 1532. If you can get a shot of the bare blade, minus all mounts and a shot of the other side of the nakago, the tang, that might help us further. This is a nice thing, don't try to clean anything as anything you do is likely to devalue it, just a little light oil on the blade. Looking forward to seeing more. All the best. Quote
vajo Posted December 16, 2020 Report Posted December 16, 2020 I cant see the kanji clearly on your photo and tried to make it see. Edit: I delete the pictures because a better nakago picture is shown. 1 Quote
Stockfball11 Posted December 16, 2020 Author Report Posted December 16, 2020 Updated photos will follow in as many posts as needed based on size of image: Quote
Stockfball11 Posted December 16, 2020 Author Report Posted December 16, 2020 Last photo I could take without being beyond obnoxious. Let me know if there’s anything else I could possibly take a photo of. Can’t wait to hear from y’all! Thanks so much Quote
Jussi Ekholm Posted December 16, 2020 Report Posted December 16, 2020 To me the signature of the smith seems to be - 備州長船祐定作 - Bishū Osafune Sukesada saku 3 Quote
Geraint Posted December 16, 2020 Report Posted December 16, 2020 Well I'm sticking with Tenbun but it hardly matters. What you have Andrew is a lovely package in this sword. Good Shingunto mounts in nice condition with a family mon, the silver badge on the hilt fitting. An earlier blade signed and dated. There were an awful lot of Bizen Sukesada smiths in this time and pinning it down to one will be almost impossible. The time frame is fascinating because in most people's eyes it's very early however it corresponds to a time when a lot of swords were being made and not all of great quality. If all this is getting to you then a look here will give you a bit more to go on. https://www.aoijapan.com/katana-bishu-osafune-sukesada/ If one of our members in your area could look at the sword in hand they could tell you bit more but this is a nice sword. Congratulations! Is this your first Japanese sword? If so most of us would wish that out first sword was as good a find. All the best. 2 Quote
Shugyosha Posted December 16, 2020 Report Posted December 16, 2020 I’m in the Tenbun camp. Niju something nen? 1 Quote
Stockfball11 Posted December 16, 2020 Author Report Posted December 16, 2020 It is indeed my first sword of any kind! Been passed down to me by my father who received it from his. Appreciate all the help thus far from everyone! Definitely want to try and find someone in my area (on the east coast) to take an in person look at it and give me as much info as possible as well as a possible appraisal (just for curiosities sake) 1 Quote
Bugyotsuji Posted December 29, 2020 Report Posted December 29, 2020 If you ignore the 一 stroke below 天 then I can see 文 above the 二 (although slightly off balance). Quote
Katsujinken Posted December 29, 2020 Report Posted December 29, 2020 On 12/16/2020 at 2:59 PM, Stockfball11 said: It is indeed my first sword of any kind! Been passed down to me by my father who received it from his. Appreciate all the help thus far from everyone! Definitely want to try and find someone in my area (on the east coast) to take an in person look at it and give me as much info as possible as well as a possible appraisal (just for curiosities sake) Where on the east coast are you? A bit of a moot point with the pandemic, but the New York Token Kai would be a good bet for in person help when the time comes. As others noted, this sword was likely made during a period of mass production. That’s not necessarily a bad thing – it’s still a traditionally made sword that is nearly 500 years old, and this sword was made to be used and not to be worn on a merchant’s hip. However, the ultimate value will be driven by the quality of the workmanship in the blade itself. You’re safely in the $2000-$6000 ballpark though, I think. One question: what is the length of the cutting edge (straight line from tip/kissaki to the notch on the tang/nakago)? With an in person evaluation you can figure out if it’s worth making additional investments (polish, shirasaya, etc.). Quote
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