Registration Card translation help, Please?

[Dr Greenthumb80]

[xiayang]

It's dated

 

令和5年6月15日 (15^th June 2023)

 

and the mei is

 

陸奥大掾三善長道 = Mutsu Daijō Miyoshi Nagamichi

[Dr Greenthumb80]

Is that the famous swordsmith from the 1600's? I'll post the Mei picture next. 

[Geraint]

Hi Nathan.

 

Just to note that the registration card records what the sword is, hence signed Nagamichi, it is not a guarantee that the signature is correct.  Look forward to seeing some more pictures. 

 

All the best. 

[Dr Greenthumb80]

[Dr Greenthumb80]

This Wakizashi Sword has to be the real thing, based on the quality of the steel, the grain in the steel, the sharpness, the balance, and it just feels right when you're holding it. I'm new to all of this, so don't take my word on it. But this sword feels genuine.

[Geraint]

Dear Nathan.

 

I understand your excitement and there is no question that this is a real Japanese sword, rest easy.  There is however a long tradition in Japan of adding false signatures to swords to increase their value, obviously the better the swordsmith the more likely this is to happen.  That's why I cautioned that the registration card describes the sword as with a signature......  I haven't had time to compare the signature yet but will do so, meanwhile you could start looking for swords by this man which have NBTHK or NTHK papers.  These are more of a guarantee that it really is by him.

 

While you are at it an overall photograph of the whole blade, without the habaki if possible, would be useful to us.

 

All the best.

[Dr Greenthumb80]

Ok, thank you very much for the info. I'll take some more pictures and do some comparisons on the signature as well. I AM really excited about this sword!!! I'm sure it shows in my descriptions, this is my first "authentic" nihonto sword, I'd love to be able to get the real paperwork for it, and have it restored to it's original glory!!! I don't care how much it costs, this is a real piece of history that I can hold in my hand! I'm hooked for life now. I foresee a lot of research and studying in my future.... thank you again.

[Geraint]

Yep! I think we can tell that you are excited!  Remember, whatever the outcome this is a genuine Japanese sword and there is nothing like having your own example to research to get you in the groove.

 

For starters have a look here, 

 

First step, what do the characters actually say?  Second step what shape is the nakago/tang, is the mei in the usual place for this smith, are the file marks correct? Third step how does the handwriting compare to known examples?  (For good reasons most people will look at the overall shape of the blade first, then perhaps the hamon, the design of the hardened edge, next the grain of the metal and finally the nakago/tang.  So far all we have to go on is the mei. 

 

Enjoy the journey.

 

All the best.

[Dr Greenthumb80]

After work today, I will upload as many pictures as it will let me LOL.

[Dr Greenthumb80]

More on the way...

[Dr Greenthumb80]

[Dr Greenthumb80]

I found an 8th generation Nagamichi sword that is very similar to mine. What do you think?

[Nobody]

10 hours ago, Dr Greenthumb80 said:

I found an 8th generation Nagamichi sword that is very similar to mine. What do you think?

 

 

 

Among Nagamichi lineage, only Nagamichi 1st held the title Mutsu daijo.

 

[Dr Greenthumb80]

I thought it was 1st, 6th, and 8th generations for that title? I'll have to do more research.

[Dr Greenthumb80]

I think I found a match, correct me if I'm wrong please? My mind might be making me see something that's not really there, due to my excitement! The more I learn, the more I want to learn more... good thing there's a ton of info out there.