Any thoughts on this signature? It's a wakizashi blade

[gustaf]

this is a blade that belongs to a friend of mine who knows nothing about swords (as i do). it appears to be a wakizashi sword but i am no expert. any thoughts or ideas are greatly appreciated. sorry about the poor quality pic. that's all i have.

[Ted Tenold]

The inscription reads "Echizen ju" or "a resident of Echizen". Echizen province is located in what is now Fukui prefecture. If this is the only inscription on that side of the nakago, then there may be more on the other side. This practice was done among the smiths from the province in the Echizen Seki group.

[gustaf]

here is the pic of the other side. hopefully, it's clear enough. i hope it's not a cut down blade but how do you tell?

[Brian]

here is the pic of the other side. hopefully, it's clear enough. i hope it's not a cut down blade but how do you tell?

Gustav,

Firstly, you post a pic of the whole nakago.

Doesn't have to be a huge pic, just an overall one. Blades are shortened from the tang end, so if the whole signature is there, and the nakago jiri (tip) is well finished off, then probably not shortened.

 

Brian

[gustaf]

this is the only pic of the signature i've got. i saw the sword in person and it appeared to be short but i was not certain about the cut down. i will try to get better pics later. as i recall the blade was stained and was way far from perfect. probably not worth a bunch but the signature was very interesting.

[Ted Tenold]

here is the pic of the other side. hopefully, it's clear enough. i hope it's not a cut down blade but how do you tell?

 

It reads "Hoki no kami Fujiwara Hirotaka". This smith is indeed from the Echizen Seki group in the early Shinto period. Chujosaku rated in Fujishiro. The second image is not very good, but a cursory comparison shows both similarities and some differences in small details of the strokes.

 

Can't say from the images if it's been shortened, but with that much of the mei left, any shortening would not have been extensive. Also perhaps could be machi okuri, but the rest of the blade and nakago needs to be examined to tell.