Chinese or Japanese? Yes, I am that ignorant...

[MDWS]

Hello all and thanks in advance for any assistance you can provide.  I received a sword as a debt payment and will fully admit I am completely ignorant as to how to translate the symbols on the tang.  I've done a bit of referencing but I am not seeing anything catch my eye that resembles the markings on my sword.  It was (allegedly) a WWII bring-back and originally had the olive drab scabbard/motif.  I read enough on ow to get the handle off and did so successfully.  The symbols I am seeing - I cannot even tell if they are Chinese or Japanese.

 

I do not want to just come onto your forum and ask for help, say thanks and bail.  I'm interested in paying someone a fee if they can accurately translate.  I am not interested in selling the sword but after having read all of the varying history I am dying to know what it is I actually have.  It was restored by Fred Lohman Company, so of course it's beautiful but I'm more interested in its history and origin.

 

Again thanks in advance and if anyone is interested in helping for a fee please let me know as I'm willing to pay something reasonable.

 

 

[MDWS]

Oh and if anyone would like to see the photos post-restoration I'm happy to post them as well.  

 

Thank you.

[Stephen]

Don't put your self down. 

Everyone is inexperienced until their not.

It's a Nagamitsu

[Stephen]

7 minutes ago, MDWS said:

Oh and if anyone would like to see the photos post-restoration I'm happy to post them as well.  

 

Thank you.

What was restored? I wonder crossed fingers 

[Stephen]

https://www.Japanese...rdindex.com/naga.htm

 

Bit worried  about Fred l it depends who it was farmed out too.

[MDWS]

Thanks Stephen.  There is a note in the box that says "1936 Blade"... based on the link you gave me perhaps that was the year it was made, I'm guessing.  Here are some pics of the sword now.  The finishings are all silver but not cared for so slightly tarnished.  Ray skin on the handle I'm told, "crossed feather" medallion on handle, and allegedly the scabbard was made of a special wood that resists moisture and scratching.

 

It is beautiful, but I understand if "restoring" it actually decreased its value as I understand that is usually the case with "antiques".

 

Sounds like Nagamitsu is very highly regarded, and so if it is truly a Nagamitsu I am quite pleased.  I will research more.

 

 

[Shugyosha]

You got there first Stephen, sorry MDWS but I think this is a fake - have a look at the link that has been posted with the verified signatures. 
 

The kesho yasurimei (lines on the tang) are also really badly done and I can’t imagine one of the best smiths of his era letting that out of the door.

 

I hope I’m wrong and maybe some of the army sword guys will chip in. Apologies again, I hope you didn’t pay a lot for it or the restoration. 
 

By all means post some pictures, hopefully you’ll get more positive views. 

[MDWS]

29 minutes ago, Shugyosha said:

You got there first Stephen, sorry MDWS but I think this is a fake - have a look at the link that has been posted with the verified signatures. 
 

The kesho yasurimei (lines on the tang) are also really badly done and I can’t imagine one of the best smiths of his era letting that out of the door.

 

I hope I’m wrong and maybe some of the army sword guys will chip in. Apologies again, I hope you didn’t pay a lot for it or the restoration. 
 

By all means post some pictures, hopefully you’ll get more positive views. 

 

Thank you Shugyosha.  I did not pay for the restoration, the previous owner did.  Here's a picture of the other side of the tang - no symbols, etc. and it looks like the Lohman crew cataloged it during the restoration with a Sharpie or something.  This side appears much cleaner with better lighting compared to the side with the symbols as you noted.  But, I think my phone/lighting might be making the sdie wiht the symbols look worse than it is.  I'll try to get a better picture.

 

After reading that article, if it is even a student-made sword I will be happy with it.  Obviously disappointed if it is "gimei", but I'm not sure how to verify either way I guess.

[Stephen]

Link was for checking your mei.

There was other Nagamitsu.

Hada does look like his just a soso polish 

[Tensho]

Isn't this signed "No Shu Ju Kawasaki Nagamitsu saku" ? 

 

So not "The" nagamitsu 

[Stephen]

9 minutes ago, Tensho said:

Isn't this signed "No Shu Ju Kawasaki Nagamitsu saku" ? 

 

So not "The" nagamitsu 

Correct just got off JSI

https://www.Japanese...shigata/nagakaw2.jpg

[MDWS]

10 minutes ago, Tensho said:

Isn't this signed "No Shu Ju Kawasaki Nagamitsu saku" ? 

 

So not "The" nagamitsu 

 

 

Thanks Tensho.  So, not a student but referring to this line form the article:

 

"There were several other swordsmiths working during the Showa era using the name Nagamitsu. They signed Noshu (Seki, Mino) Nagamitsu, Kawazaki Nagamitsu, Kuruma ju Nagamitsu, Takayama Uhei Nagamitsu and Endo Nagamitsu. They are of no known relation to Ichihara Nagamitsu."

[MDWS]

So it is/was one of these (basically) then it looks like:

 

https://www.antique-...in-Gunto-Katana.html

[Stephen]

Yes it was a Gunto mount at one time. 

I gave a link that matches mei

[MDWS]

7 minutes ago, Stephen said:

Yes it was a Gunto mount at one time. 

I gave a link that matches mei

 

Thanks Stephen and all, most helpful.

 

Is is fair to say the previous owner spent more on the restoration than the sword itself is worth?  I think he said the restoration was around $2500.  

 

 

[Stephen]

Absolutely 

[Kiipu]

Kawasaki Nagamitsu 川﨑長光 used a variant character for kawa 崎.  It shows up on all his mei except for the shortened Nagamitsu 長光 forms.  He was admitted to the Seki guild in 1941-0228.

濃州住川﨑長光作 Nōshū-jū Kawasaki Nagamitsu saku.

﨑 vs 崎

[ROKUJURO]

In my eyes, the SHINOGI has been rounded considerably, so what they call 'polish' seems to have damaged the blade. I hope my impression is wrong!

[MDWS]

On 1/31/2024 at 7:42 PM, ROKUJURO said:

In my eyes, the SHINOGI has been rounded considerably, so what they call 'polish' seems to have damaged the blade. I hope my impression is wrong!

 

The ridgeline is still quite prominent; the photographs are poor.  

[MDWS]

On 1/31/2024 at 7:28 PM, Kiipu said:

Kawasaki Nagamitsu 川﨑長光 used a variant character for kawa 崎.  It shows up on all his mei except for the shortened Nagamitsu 長光 forms.  He was admitted to the Seki guild in 1941-0228.

濃州住川﨑長光作 Nōshū-jū Kawasaki Nagamitsu saku.

﨑 vs 崎

 

Thank you for the information.  I am not sure I understand which version is reflected on this sword though?  I believe I have a terrible eye for these characters.

[ROKUJURO]

﨑 vs 崎
It is indeed not easy to see - pleasew compare the upper parts of the second elements of the KANJI.

[Kiipu]

Nagamitsu used the character to the left that Jean shows above.  This a variant of the character to the right and has the same meaning.  It is just a little different.  Names sometimes used variant characters that differ from normal ones.  I posted the above more for the translators on the forum than the collectors.  It does not affect your sword by any means and can be safely ignored.