"Old" wakizashi

[katonk66]

Hello all. I finally received this wakizashi from Japan. Yes, it has a mei. Mei/gimei...I take it with a grain of salt. I do love the style of the blade though. As an added note, sometimes mumei nihontou are so much more...well less stressful. LOL

[Ray Singer]

Sagami no kuni junin Hiromitsu

 

The inscribed date is Joji 2

[katonk66]

Any thoughts?

[Grevedk]

Hi Henry,

 

IMHO - You have a seemingly nice sword, old Nakago and a blade that has seen several polish and with a Mei (name and date) that belongs to a smith of renown with a seemingly corresponding date - within his active period (year 1364 - if I’m reading Ray correct?) imported directly from Japan but without any “trusted” Origami. That could suggest something that is not in line.
 

I think that only a Shinsa can give you any more clues or confirmation as to your questions.

 

All the best.

 

/Soren
 

 

[dyn]

On 6/16/2024 at 1:13 AM, Grevedk said:

Hi Henry,

 

IMHO - You have a seemingly nice sword, old Nakago and a blade that has seen several polish and with a Mei (name and date) that belongs to a smith of renown with a seemingly corresponding date - within his active period (year 1364 - if I’m reading Ray correct?) imported directly from Japan but without any “trusted” Origami. That could suggest something that is not in line.
 

I think that only a Shinsa can give you any more clues or confirmation as to your questions.

 

All the best.

 

/Soren
 

 

If it came from Japan it might've already seen a shinsa and been denied papers. I've not personally sent a sword to shinsa but I've heard that if a sword is in Japan it is a relatively simple process. I agree with your assessment that something is likely off, or it would already have papers. The OP's determination of gimei might be correct since IIRC (correct me if I'm wrong) the NBTHK typically doesn't issue papers for gimei blades.

[katonk66]

Would you say this looks more like a 1500's Koto blade?

[Rivkin]

1520, shimada.

[Franco D]

On 6/14/2024 at 8:08 PM, Ray Singer said:

Sagami no kuni junin Hiromitsu

 

Lots to research  https://search.yahoo...kuni+junin+Hiromitsu

 

Regards

 

[Jussi Ekholm]

I would think similarily to Kirill that late Muromachi Shimada would a direction worth looking into. Impossible to say anything from those pictures but that would be what I would look over Nanbokuchō Sōshū.

[Jacques D.]

Hiromitsu is a big name, rated saijo saku  the chances this sword being soshin are very slim.