Age Estimate For WW2 Katana

[CuriousSwordUser]

Can anyone please give me an estimate on how old this is? Any help is appreciated, thank you.   

[Grey Doffin]

Hi Tyler,

The signature is Kiyonori and I think there is a good chance he was working in Bizen Province in the 16th century. But others who know better may have a better idea.

Grey

[SteveM]

Certainly looks like a blade from the 1600s. But I can't pinpoint which Kiyonori this is - there are many smiths who used that name, starting from the late 1300s. Your sword doesn't look like a sword from the 1300s, but I can't say with confidence what the age is. Your sword has been shortened from its original length, so its slightly hard to tell what it would have looked like, but the relative lack of curve in the blade is a hallmark of blades from the 1600s. As always, the signature could also be a later addition, added to an unsigned blade in order to boost its value.

[CuriousSwordUser]

Thank you both for the help, I may need to go get it appraised. 

[dkirkpatrick]

It’s interesting the question of mei like these.  We assume because a blade is a suriage that these are gimei added to fool and add value.  It seems possible that rather than spending the time on an orikeshi or gaku mei they simply re-write on the new nakago.  It’s strange that if mei in general were well-regarded than it’s strange that we find any mumei blades; you would think none would’ve escaped getting something added on at some point.

      Not really going anywhere with this just my random musings.

 

Doug