katana translation request (late 1500s?)

[yellowquestion]

Hello,

I am the custodian of what I believe is a 1500-1600s Japanese sword the was brought to the US by a returning soldier.  I am unsure what my intent is at this time but I am interested in any information that can be found.  attached is a picture of signature located under the handle.  

Thank you in advance.  

[Jacques]

Bishu osafune Kiyomitsu saku 備州長船清光作, i let another one translate the date

[Ray Singer]

Bishu Osafune Kiyomitsu saku 

 

Eiroku roku nen hachi gatsu hi (a day in the eighth month of 1563)

[yellowquestion]

Thank you Jacques and Ray for the quick reply.  

[Jacques]

I don't know if this helps, but there were several Kiyomitsu working during the same period, which makes identification more difficult.

[yellowquestion]

Bishu Osafune if i understand correctly means that it was made at Bizen Osafune school.  "Kiyomitsu" would be the swordsmith?  What does "Saku"  refer too?

[Geraint]

Dear Fred.

 

Saku means made by, so, ' in Bizen province, Osafune town Kiyomitsu made this.'

 

All the best.

[yellowquestion]

Thank you,  I have read that there is a correlation between using "Bishu" instead of Bizen and being a lower quality or mass produced blade.  Can anyone comment or add to this?  Also during my research I believe that the fittings such as the tsuba are referred to as "type 98" which were military sourced fittings added to older swords so that could be carried in service?

[John C]

3 hours ago, yellowquestion said:

Also during my research I believe that the fittings such as the tsuba are referred to as "type 98" which were military sourced fittings added to older swords so that could be carried in service?

Fred:

I could be a type 94/98, however the tsuka ito wrap does not look original so it would be difficult to tell. The pierced tsuba is an older design. And yes, some officers had their family blades outfitted in gunto mounts for service. Family blades were also donated for this purpose due to blade shortages.

 

John C.

[yellowquestion]

Thank you John.  Since you mentioned it I have been looking at tsuka ito and in my short time searching, I’m not finding any that resemble this simple leather wrap.  

[Bugyotsuji]

Is this reading definitely Kiyomitsu, or could it be 宗光 Munemitsu? 

 

Such as:

☆備州長船宗光　永禄三年二月日☆八寸一分☆家紋入笛巻塗鞘伝来物合口時代拵入名短刀☆【委託販売承中】 - 美術*刀剣*専門*オークション！WINNERS(ウィナーズ) (winners-auction.jp)

 

[John C]

34 minutes ago, yellowquestion said:

I’m not finding any that resemble this simple leather wrap.  

Just to follow up; the wrap could still be period, though not original. Field alterations done by the service personnel who owned the sword was quite common. 

in fact, there were teams of official repair personnel that did field repairs on swords, though these would be done to military specs. 

John C.

[yellowquestion]

1 hour ago, Bugyotsuji said:

Is this reading definitely Kiyomitsu, or could it be 宗光 Munemitsu? 

 

Such as:

☆備州長船宗光　永禄三年二月日☆八寸一分☆家紋入笛巻塗鞘伝来物合口時代拵入名短刀☆【委託販売承中】 - 美術*刀剣*専門*オークション！WINNERS(ウィナーズ) (winners-auction.jp)

 

 

[PNSSHOGUN]

Handle wrap may have been done in the field, looks like very old lacquer. There appears to be a family crest on the handle as well, always a nice touch.

[Bugyotsuji]

37 minutes ago, yellowquestion said:

 

Thanks Fred, Kiyo is much clearer for me now!

[yellowquestion]

9 hours ago, PNSSHOGUN said:

There appears to be a family crest on the handle as well, always a nice touch.

Im not aware of a family crest on the handle, am I missing it?  I have additional photos if it helps

[Matsunoki]

Is,this maybe a silver family crest?

 

[yellowquestion]

7 hours ago, Matsunoki said:

Is,this maybe a silver family crest?

 

Thank you for noting this!  Here’s a better pic.  I definitely missed this during my amateur inspection.  

[yellowquestion]

Watanabe Boshi?  

Mōri?

I’m not sure what the correct orientation should be
 

[Bugyotsuji]

Watanabe looks like three mochi on a plate for moon viewing.

 

Mohri is three sons supporting the one (family).