Isley Posted October 4, 2021 Report Posted October 4, 2021 This sword was among the collection of my deceased father. Can anyone identify the symbols on the tang? Quote
Mark S. Posted October 4, 2021 Report Posted October 4, 2021 Last 3 kanji are: Hisa kuni saku (“Hisakuni made this”) Still working in first 2 (province). 1 Quote
Stephen Posted October 4, 2021 Report Posted October 4, 2021 not sure how youd find it with Marks link. should be a bit quicker here 2 Quote
Nobody Posted October 4, 2021 Report Posted October 4, 2021 First two kanji 柳川 (Yanagawa) is a city name. Ref. Yanagawa, Fukuoka - Wikipedia 1 Quote
Grey Doffin Posted October 5, 2021 Report Posted October 5, 2021 Hi Gabriella, The whole signature is Yanagawa Ju Hisakuni Saku: Resident of Yanagawa Hisakuni made. Your sword is signed on the side of the blade that was used, with a few exceptions, for early tachi form swords (before 1400) and the signature looks to be very much younger than that. As your sword doesn't fit with any of the exceptions I'm aware of, I suspect your sword's signature is bogus. Anybody out there have a better idea? Grey Quote
Geraint Posted October 5, 2021 Report Posted October 5, 2021 There is a Showa smith listed as Fukuoka Hisakuni, perhaps this is him? Gabriella, could we see some more pictures of the sword, both mounts and blade? Oh, and by the way, even if the signature is wrong that does not mean the sword is of no interest. All the best. 1 Quote
Brian Posted October 5, 2021 Report Posted October 5, 2021 Probably this wartime smith: Hisakuni (久国), Shōwa (昭和, 1926-1989), Fukuoka – „Hisakuni“ (久国), family name „Koga“ (古賀), born 1895, rikugun-jumei-tōshō 1 1 Quote
Ray Singer Posted October 5, 2021 Report Posted October 5, 2021 Here is a link to photos of a gendaito by Hisakuni: Best regards, Ray 1 Quote
Chris Wallis Posted August 21 Report Posted August 21 Hi everyone I have two swords with signed tangs but no way of knowing what they say is it possible to get help with this ? regards Chris Quote
Lewis B Posted August 21 Report Posted August 21 19 minutes ago, Chris Wallis said: Hi everyone I have two swords with signed tangs but no way of knowing what they say is it possible to get help with this ? regards Chris Take a clear closeup photo with the correct orientation and I'm sure some knowledgeable types will assist. Quote
moriarty Posted August 21 Report Posted August 21 22 minutes ago, Chris Wallis said: Hi everyone I have two swords with signed tangs but no way of knowing what they say is it possible to get help with this ? regards Chris Just post them in the translation assistance channel, be sure to take good pictures of the tangs (and overall blade/mountings if possible) Quote
Chris Wallis Posted August 21 Report Posted August 21 Thank you ever so much I will post pictures of the two tangs front and back may I ask is the orientation blade up tang down or the other way around ? Quote
moriarty Posted August 21 Report Posted August 21 12 minutes ago, Chris Wallis said: Thank you ever so much I will post pictures of the two tangs front and back may I ask is the orientation blade up tang down or the other way around ? Blade up, tang down. Just like this post. Quote
Chris Wallis Posted August 21 Report Posted August 21 Having difficulty loading pictures as they are not enlarged or enhanced but the mb size exceeds the upload size ? Quote
moriarty Posted August 21 Report Posted August 21 10 minutes ago, Chris Wallis said: Having difficulty loading pictures as they are not enlarged or enhanced but the mb size exceeds the upload size ? Try cropping them from the gallery on your phone/pc? If anything try to mostly show the tang Quote
Bruce Pennington Posted August 21 Report Posted August 21 TOSHIMASA (俊正), dated 1942 Large Seki stamp of the Seki Cutlery Manufacturers Association. They were inspecting blades in the Seki area for quality. Should be a nice looking showato (non-traditionally made blade). 1 Quote
Nobody Posted August 21 Report Posted August 21 18 minutes ago, Bruce Pennington said: TOSHIMASA (俊正), dated 1942 Large Seki stamp of the Seki Cutlery Manufacturers Association. They were inspecting blades in the Seki area for quality. Should be a nice looking showato (non-traditionally made blade). Different Toshimasa (敏正) 3 2 Quote
Chris Wallis Posted August 21 Report Posted August 21 5 minutes ago, Chris Wallis said: Second tang characters only on one side . 1 Quote
xiayang Posted August 21 Report Posted August 21 The second blade is signed 長村清宣 = Nagamura Kiyonobu 1 Quote
Chris Wallis Posted August 21 Report Posted August 21 Thank you for all the imput so far it’s very helpful and super interesting 🙏🏻 Quote
Chris Wallis Posted August 21 Report Posted August 21 Does the inscription on the second sword tang indicate a region of manufacture or date at all ? Quote
Bruce Pennington Posted August 21 Report Posted August 21 9 hours ago, Nobody said: Different Toshimasa (敏正) Found him! "TOSHIMASA (敏正), Shōwa (昭和, 1926-1989), Gifu – “Toshimasa” (敏正), real name Asai Eikurō (浅井栄九郎), born January 15th 1886, student of Watanabe Kanenaga (渡辺兼永), he worked as guntō smith and died October 25th 1958, ryōkō no retsu (Akihide)" Quote
mecox Posted August 21 Report Posted August 21 @Bruce Pennington@Chris Wallis@xiayang as Jan notes 長村清宣 = Nagamura Kiyonobu and family name is Nagamura Matsuichi 長村松市 is a Gifu tosho, born in Meiji 34 (1901) April 10. He was from Kamogun, Tahara-mura, Osugi village. Listed in Slough page 85, was Rikugun Jumei Tosho and of interest has a Tan stamp. 3 Quote
Chris Wallis Posted August 26 Report Posted August 26 Thank you for all the great help with this 👍 Quote
LuckyBoy_Lion Posted September 25 Report Posted September 25 Hello, I am seeking help on identification of the maker of a sword. The sword belonged to my grandfather from WWII. the sword is worn, but I am hoping the inscriptions are legible enough yo someone familiar with Japanese calligraphy, and can in turn translate the writings so as to help me identity who made the sword. Thank you in advance Quote
xiayang Posted September 25 Report Posted September 25 The upper part of the inscription is covered by the fuchi, but the whole thing probably reads [信濃]守信吉造之 = [Shinano] no Kami Nobuyoshi made this 2 Quote
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