Assistance identifing please

[bigdog5022]

Curious if anyone can narrow down approximate year, maker, what lettering translates to, value of this blade.

I believe from a bit of research it is a Katana - 27 -5/8" from tip to cross guard.

After that, I know little other than it has surface rust which I understand not to disturb and it still has an incredibly sharp edge.

Attached are some photos.

 

Thank you for any input.

[Ken-Hawaii]

Please sign your posts, per Brian's rules.

 

Your photos are not clear enough to hazard much of a guess. Please shoot some more showing both sides of the nakago (handle), the boshi (other end), & a couple of shots of the middle of the blade. The first two shots need to be well-focused closeups so we can see the details.

 

Welcome to the forum.

 

Ken

[bigdog5022]

Thank you for the welcome.

 

here are a few more pics, hopefully better. Need more, please ask.

 

Thank you

[bigdog5022]

couple more photos.

 

Thanks,

 

Dave

[mdiddy]

I believe from a bit of research it is a Katana

 

I agree that its a katana. And thats about all I can tell you. Most, if not all, appreciable features are obscurred. Signature looks worn and sketchy. Can we see an overall picture of the blade looking top-down and not at an angle?

 

Matt

[bigdog5022]

Signature has more detail than this old cam will pick up plus rust seems to cover some.

Not sure if you mean a better angle from side or shot of top of blade itself so here are a couple more.

Thanks,

Dave

[mdiddy]

Dave,

 

Thanks for the additional pictures. I'm afraid I still can't tell you too much more about the blade. My best guess from the pictures is that based on the shape of the blade and the nakago (tang) that the sword is Shinto, ca. 1600-1700. I do not think the sword is older. I am sorry I can not shed more light on it but we would need to see more of features in the blade that are currently obscurred. If you get more clear shots of the signature and can share them then that may also help better identify.

 

Best,

 

Matt

[bigdog5022]

Thanks Matt.

 

Any features I should try to get better photos of besides signature?

 

Any way to enhance the signature without doing something improper? I have heard to not disturb that part of the sword in any way - want to do what is correct.

 

Alternately, is there a list where I can find someone local (Seattle, Wa.) for a better look?

 

Thanks for all your help,

 

Dave

[SwordGuyJoe]

Others may be able to provide more assistance but I live in Seattle and would be happy to take a look if you like. Feel free to PM me.

[mdiddy]

Dave,

 

You can take close-ups of parts of the blade that are not heavily rusted. Specifically we would be looking to see the hada, or grain, and hamon, or temperline. These might not be visible given the condition. Also a better picture of the signature would help. I would not try to enhance this, just try some different lighting conditions to see what kind of pictures you can take and pick the one that is most detailed to share.

 

Matt

[bigdog5022]

Wish to extend a belated 'Thank you' to SwordGuyJoe for taking the time to personally look at the sword first hand. It was a great education into something of which I know little.

His findings:

Koto - Late Muromachi

Hamon - Ko Midare / Midare

Hada - Masame ??

Yasurime - Kiri

Mei -Gimei / partially removed. Most likely not that of the maker.

 

Again, Thanks Joe for your time and effort. I will pursue options as you suggested.

 

Thanks to all who assisted.

 

Dave