Japanese Sword--couple questions here

[FIGHTENIRISH35]

Greetings all,Hope everyone is well.

 

I have recently been offered this Japanese Sword that looks OK to me but im just not so sure.

Id like to know what your feelings and thoughts are towards this sword.

I also would be very very very greatful in an assistance translating the Tang.

Right now these are the only pics I have from the fellow , so I appologize about the clarity.

Thanks so much for help on this blade.

[FIGHTENIRISH35]

more photos

[FIGHTENIRISH35]

last of the photos.

And thanks again everyone for any help that you can shed.

I greatly appreciate that.

[Thekirsh]

Hi Michael,

 

I think the sword in question is a wakizashi signed "Bushu Shimohara ju Hiroshige".

 

Others on the board may shed some light on the signature and its authenticity.

 

Simon

[nagamaki - Franco]

Hi Michael,

 

What besides potential ownership is your interest, is it study, collecting, restoration, etc? Information like this would be helpful for responders.

[FIGHTENIRISH35]

Thank you Simon. I appreciate the info and I will make a couple searches now to find his other work to compare and study as well as to learn about the swordsmith.

 

Nagamaki...Greetings. I myself am a collector of Japanese Naval Aviation Items but i do collect other items if they are solid examples. My father has been collecting and researching his whole life and his interest of Militaria and Japanese military specifically rubed off on me. My father focuses on IJA Army and IJA Aviation.

The sword in question is a sword that my fathers very good friend and fellow collector has offered. The gentleman who has it deals in napoleonic era items so he did not have information on the sword itself.

If this sword turns out to be a nice example I will be looking foward to adding into to my collection and it will find a nice spot in the collecting room on the wall with other sword examples.

Thanks for asking because I know that does help in members responding as I know that many people use these forums to find out what something is worth. My intentions are good and am only looking to learn about this sword as well as its history of its maker.

Thank you kindly

[FIGHTENIRISH35]

Did some searching after the lead that Simon was able to give.

The signature does seem to be Bushu Shimohara ju Hiroshige.

After some searching I found that two smiths that from what I understand both used same signature??? Please correct me if im wrong.

http://nihontoclub.com/smiths/HIR387

and

http://nihontoclub.com/smiths/HIR386

 

Is there a way to know the exact smith by chance?

 

Thanks again for any help on this sword. I do appreciate it.

[Toryu2020]

Michael -

The Meikan lists at least thirteen Shitahara smiths that signed with these characters. Thus there is a good likelyhood that this is not a fake signature. The work will bear this out, close ups of the jigane (the grain pattern in the metal) will be the next step. It may be hard coming up with the exact generation as there aren't a lot of good references for all but the best in this line. If it were dated that would be the the biggest help.

 

If genuine not a bad sword to find in gunto koshirae by a long shot...

-t

[Jacques]

Hi,

 

I would say Shitahara instead Shimohara, it could make research easier.

[FIGHTENIRISH35]

sorry it took me a little bit to get back to the post. Thank you TORYU and Jaques.

That great that it has a chance to be legit. Im going to inspect it soon as me and the fellow worked out a fair price.

It does have very strong provenance of being a ww2 bring back.

Am very excited as this will be my oldest blade in my collection and I like the fact that it was put into military mounts,i like that combo.

Thank you very much guys in ID'ng the maker. I will post again when I have sword in hand. Thanks!!!

 

O

[FIGHTENIRISH35]

Just got the sword today and I must say Im more impressed with it in hand. I had some choji oil so i took a little bit and went over the blade with it. All parts are numbered 75. I decided to take off the torn reminents of the leather scabard. I discovered that the scabard has take most likely a bullet strike and you can see the damage.

 

I compared the scabard to examples in Dawsons Japanese sword book and notice the ring fitting in all examples are not that far up as in mine. Have any of you seen ring fittings this high up on a scabard at all?

 

After looking at these photos is it possible to tell if this is a authentic Bushu Shimohara ju Hiroshige blade or could this be one of those swords ive heard of that have those fake signatures added?

 

Thanks kindly for any thoughts or advice on this sword. I do appreciate it.

[FIGHTENIRISH35]

picture of tang

[FIGHTENIRISH35]

last photo of blade..Thanks again for any help.

[kusunokimasahige]

I'd say its definetely worth a polish.

 

Interesting your father is into IJA aviaton ? Does he collect flight gear and instruments also ?

USAAF wwII collector here

 

KM