Wakizashi Signature Translation

[EGB]

Can anyone help me translate the signature on the tang of this wakizashi? A friends father got it in the 1950s but nothing is known about it before then. Would like to get at least a general idea of how old it is. Thanks for your help.

[Bugyotsuji]

Kawachi no Kami Fujiwara Masahiro. 

河内守藤原正廣

[Jacques]

According to the Nihonto meikan, there are several Masahiro with the honorary title of Kawachi no kami, but none who signed without the mention Hizen (no) Kuni. 

[Geraint]

Dear Edward.

 

Hawley does list one, 4th generation who signs this way, MAS176.  Worth a look perhaps.

 

All the best.

[Jacques]

Hawley's book is full of mistakes. Yondai Masahiro dont' bear the no kami title but the no Daijö one

[Nobody]

FYI, there is another Kawachi no kami Fujiwara Msahiro.

 

Ref. Masahiro 2^nd

【脇差】 河内守藤原正広――倉敷刀剣美術館 (touken-sato.com)

[Jacques]

It shows that in all books there are errors or omissions and that you always need several references to confirm a fact. That said, the sword discussed here is more than likely gimei.

[EGB]

I should have added these at the beginning, but here are some photos of the rest of it. Im not a professional sword photographer.

[Stephen]

23 minutes ago, EGB said:

Im not a professional sword photographer.

No worries not many of us are.

Nice little piece of history.