Help Identifying

[SethKaos]

Hello from Canada!

 

I am looking to purchase a sword from a seller in Japan. These are the images he has sent to myself. I believe the swords creator is Kôzuke no Daijô Sukesada (横山上野大掾祐定).

Some Background and timelines. He was active around the Jôo (1652-1655), Meireki (1655-1658), Manji (1658-1661), and Kanbun (1661-1673) eras.  He was born in the tenth year of Kan-ei (1633), his first name was Heibei (平兵衛) and he died in the sixth year of Kyôhô  (1721) at the age of 89. He signed his swords with "Kôzuke Daijô" title from 1664-1673/4. His signature primarily included "Kôzuke Daijô Sukesada" in his titles

 

However... I have some questions/concerns as my knowledge in blades... is only surface level.

One, is that the individual sells others swords that he authenticates. So he's a middle man. When looking him up his is reputation is pristine with great honest reviews of products purchased. So i can say he is a trusted seller.

1. The sword does not seem to have any authentication included.

2. He states that the swords signature has been cut. I believe all that remains is Kôzuke no Daijô (横山上野大掾), so the "Sukesada (祐定)" part is missing as seen in the pictures and from my discerning. 

 

Can I get some extra eyes at these pictures and opinions on;

-Whether or not the sword is authentic or not?

-If legitimate, is it worth it to purchase with the missing some of the signature?

-And if I can even get it authenticated with the ending missing as it is his lineage name?

 

Attached are pics below. Thank you all in advance!

-Seth-

[kissakai]

I'm sure you will get some answers but price is important

If it was $500 or $5,000 the replies are going to be very different

Although papers may be irrelevant to the knowledgeable collector it is different for a seller as it adds value/authenticity

Lets see what the replies suggest

 

 

[Rivkin]

It is indeed shaped like Kambun shinto blade, but the work and the signature are puzzling. Sukesada did notare but still with an indication its a Bizen blade, which is sort of not obvious here.

His signature is deep, straight, condensed (i.e. if you draw rectangles around the kanji the strokes will enter neighboring borders) and powerful. Here its weak, spaced and quite a bit more cursive.

I vote gimei.

[Matsunoki]

From these images it’s impossible to see any of the important details….is there even a real hamon or are we simply looking at a heavy Hadori finish with nothing beneath it? Huge gamble to buy from such images.

[ROKUJURO]

Have a look: https://nihonto.com/sukesada/