Wakizashi Mei Tranlation Assistance

[blucool]

First of all, I realize these are not the clearest images, unfortunately this is the best I can do for now. Any help on translation for smith or date is greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance!

 

Philip

 

 

 

[Brian]

Philip,

 

Looks dodgy to me from the very limited photos. That mei is signed very badly, and the nakago seems to be brand new with not a trace of ageing or yasurime (filemarks)

Hope I am wrong.

 

Brian

[blucool]

I was actually told the tang was "cleaned" (by the looks of it, with a stiff wire brush) by the former owner, which also messed up the crisp lines of the mei kanji.

 

That being said, I didn't pay too much for it and I am certain that at the very least the hamon/tempering is definitely genuine.

 

Any thoughts on the mei translation?

[Nobody]

The mei reads "Naminohira (波平)". But actually, it may be a name of a school in Satsuma rather than a specific smith.

 

The date looks "Tenmei Hinoto-Hitsuji (天明丁未)". That is 1787.

[Russell P]

Philip

 

I feel this is what a tang looks like from that school (1800 1850)

 

(my blade)

 

It looks different to yours.

[Russell P]

Wrong picture (I'll try again) same blade in both pictures