Opinions on this Wakizashi and translation of possible

[hadermanr]

[Geraint]

Dear Raymond.

 

Welcome to NMB!  This one is signed 'Bishu Osafune junin' on one side and 'Yokoyama Kozuke daijo Fujiwara Sukesada' on the other.  Forgive me if you know this already but many Japanese swords have spurious signatures added to them and I fear this is the case here.  This is a big name and from a school who have a very distinctive style of chasing their signatures, not clear that this is one of them.  Also I have never seen anyone run out of space and have to add the last kanji to the side of the rest.  Add to that the shape of the nakago/tang is off as is the end of the tang/nakago jiri.

 

So this is a genuine Japanese sword whose mounting has had a hard time but I do not think it is by the person it claims to be.  Do have a look here for comparison. https://sword-auction.com/en/product/8753/as21118-脇差：横山上野大掾藤原祐定/

 

The fuchi, the metal collar around the end of the hilt is interesting, is that signed at all?

 

Enjoy the research.

 

All the best. 

[hadermanr]

I’m a total dummy when it comes to this stuff, but it has always intrigued me so I do appreciate the patience. This blade is at a local auction house and will probably go for a low price, however with what you’re saying I may stay away 

[hadermanr]

trying to add as many pics as I can

[Shugyosha]

Hi Raymond,

Welcome to the forum.

 

The signature reads:

横山上野大掾藤原祐定 - Yokoyama Kozuke Daijo Fujiwara Sukesada. Sukesada is the smith's art name, Fujiwara is one of the old Japanese noble families that smiths liked to use, Kozuke Daijo, is an honorific title and I'm not sure why this school of smiths adopted Yokoyama as part of their name but it's a place near Tokyo.

備州長船住人 - Bishu Osafune ju nin - A person residing in the village of Osafune in the province of Bishu (Bizen).

Markus Sesko's compendium has him working around Kanbun, 1661 to 1673. It looks lie a genuine Japanese sword but I don't know if the signature is genuine. I hope that gives you something to go on and you'll get some more information shortly.

 

Edit: sorry Geraint got in ahead of me.