Wakizashi signed and with Register

[marivo]

Hello, I can buy a wakizshi, susposed to be Tamahagne from 17e century signed : Masahiro.

Is this register legit and belongs with this wakizashi??

Please some help with the translation.

Thanks....

 

[Ray Singer]

This swords keep making the rounds (it has been posted to Reddit, Facebook, etc and I continue to receive inquiries from collectors asking my thoughts). 

1. this is a torokusho, a license document and does not authentic the mei in any way. https://www.jssus.or...nese_sword_laws.html

2. the nakago looks very much like one that was o-suriage, and has had a mei added and the nakago reshaped to look like an ubu, Soshu, tanagobara nakago (consistent with what you want to see from a mei of Masahiro)

3. as far as 'susposed to be Tamahagne", yes it is likely that any antique Japanese sword is made predominantly from traditional materials. I would not base a buying decision on that fact, it's simply what it is and you don't need to generally worry about whether traditional materials were used until you start differentiating between WWII era gendaito and showato. 

[marivo]

Thanks Ray, from what period is this Wakizashi? Is it Showa??  

[Ray Singer]

Older than Showa.

[Brian]

Poorly done. Hard pass

[marivo]

1 hour ago, Brian said:

Poorly done. Hard pass

What do you mean?  Its a Gimei? I bought the Wakazashi for my collection, it was cheap. If I have it, I'll take some  good pictures of this wakizashi.

[Brian]

Nakago is horribly done, and it's gimei.
But it's genuine antique if that's what you want to know. Tamahagane means nothing in this case, since just about all antiques would be considered as such, even when mixed with other steels. Registration card is a license, so adds nothing.
If you like the blade, then enjoy it. But don't add anything to your value of it from the torokusho or mei.

[Stephen]

Probably the best learning tool to begin with.

You'll know better next time and to ask before you leap. Onwards and upwards. 

[Kiipu]

Cross-Reference

WRF: Translation of Mei(Gimei) on older Wakizashi