Is this a TAIKEI SHOJI NAOTANE or do you just say TAIKEI NAOTANE?

[kealpe]

I'm not quite sure if this should have the SHO JI within the reading or not? I looked at some sites and they show just the Taikie Naotane signature. When I had this read by a Japanese person (not a sword collector) was told it says TAI KEI SHO JI NAO TANE? Would like to know the correct reading and when most likely made? I figured the Ido period but when?

I understand he lived from 1778-1857

[Toryu2020]

Can we please see better pictures of the Nakago? Oriented north/south in the center of a single photo?

 

You have the right reading...

 

-t

[Seth]

Fixed.

 

[kealpe]

Sorry, every time I try and put a pic on north-south it never works. 

[Toryu2020]

this last is fine - thank you

[Bruce Pennington]

When they go sideways, edit the photo just a bit, then repost.  Fixes it every time.

[uwe]

I would read it “大慶庄司直胤” (Taikei Shōji Naotane). His real name was Shōji Minobei. Can’t tell if the mei is shoshin or not. He was quite famos (actually the top ranked smith of the shin-shinto-period), hence a good candidate for forgeries.

[kealpe]

Thanks, a lot for all the information.

Got this from an old WW2 vet years back for $200 so don't think it's forged. If it is, would have to have been done a long time ago. How would you tell if forged?

[Brian]

They have been forging signatures for over 500 years. Swords are real, signatures aren't. Probably more false signatures than real ones out there. Something you get used to in the Japanese sword world.
Without official papers from the Japanese groups that judge authenticity, we usually assume gimei (false signature)
It would need a polish and be submitted to know for sure. But that is an expensive exercise.
 

[Seth]

Hey Keith, can you grab a pic of the overall blade and post it? Both sides if possible?

[Toryu2020]

Sorry to say this signature does not compare well to known examples…

[kealpe]

Here's a couple pic. of the blade. Was wondering what a polish would cost and if even worth it?

 

Thanks for all the help, 

 

Keith