Katana date and smith translation please.

[GordonMcA]

Hello, having tried to translate using several helpful links to various symbol charts I really do need assistance with my katana tang translation. The sword has been in our family for 4 generations and may have been acquired by my great great grandfather around 1900.

I think the first two smith symbols might be ‘Hōki’ (province) but might be completely wrong. Also, on the date I think the third symbol is a 3 just before the year (nen) symbol but cannot translate the first 2 era symbols or remaining date. There also appears to be some symbols on the hand guard.

I have included pictures of tang inscription and sword although the rusting on the tang does make it difficult to decipher. Obviously didn’t want to remove the rusting.

 

Many thanks for any assistance, Gordon

[DoTanuki yokai]

Hoki kami Taira Ason Masayuki

Date looks like: kansei 3 ( 1792) in February. 
Looks  shoshin to me 

[Geraint]

Dear Gordon.

 

Welcome to NMB.  Well, you have your question answered but if Christian is correct and the mei or signature is shoshin, i.e. genuine then you have some choices to make.  At the moment you have a wakizashi or short sword, in attractive but rather severe mounts and out of polish.  You are right not to clean anything but a wipe with some light oil over both the blade and tang would be good.

 

Option 1.  It has family associations, keep it as is and lightly oil the blade from time to time.

Option 2.  If the bug has bitten you then some more research might lead you to want to get this restored, please note this should only be done by properly trained experts.  Feel free to ask here for recommendations about how to go about this.

Option 3.  Pass the sword on to a collector who will do the restoration and treasure it.  

 

Before you contemplate Option 3 it would be really worth having some of our knowledgeable members have a look at the sword in hand to advise you, depends where you are in the country but I am sure that several of us would be happy to help.  (I see that John, Shuguyoshi here, will be at the Birmingham Arms far this Sunday if you are in the area.)

 Enjoy the journey!

 

All the best.

 

[GordonMcA]

Many thanks Geraint, I think Option 1 is currently favourable being the current custodian within the family. Unlikely that I’ll get to Birmingham fair but will probably be pursuing the sword history further in the future.

Many thanks for everyone’s assistance so far and look forward to further communication in the future.

[DoTanuki yokai]

After seeing this blade with the same signature with too much differences I changed my opinion and go back to „look at the blade not the signature attitude“. 
 

https://www.k-sword.com/product/伯耆守平朝臣正幸诚意咨价/

[ROKUJURO]

The TSUBA might be from the JAKUSHI school.

[k morita]

The tsuba Mei says:

Right
崎陽山人(Kiyō-sanjin)
Left
若芝(Jakushi)

[GordonMcA]

On 9/12/2023 at 4:46 PM, DoTanuki yokai said:

After seeing this blade with the same signature with too much differences I changed my opinion and go back to „look at the blade not the signature attitude“. 
 

https://www.k-sword.com/product/伯耆守平朝臣正幸诚意咨价/

Thanks Christian, I am following up the blade angle. Cheers👍🏻