Masahiro ?

[luisboni]

Posting my new sword pics from my military collection. Seems this one is possibly from the hojoji school. It looks like it was shortened for war fitting. Any insight by the community would be welcomed

[luisboni]

More Pics.

[Ray Singer]

Please show the entire nakago, including the nakago-jiri at the bottom. I am not seeing evidence that it is suriage.

[luisboni]

Nakago Front

[luisboni]

Nakago Back

[Ray Singer]

Interesting, signed Kunitsugu on the reverse.

[luisboni]

I thought I saw something in the reverse but wasn't sure; so what can this mean ? Is this piece legit?

[PNSSHOGUN]

The execution of the Mei looks poor, there is a very high chance this is Gimei.

[luisboni]

Thanks for you input Ray and John.

 

 

Dual Mei Inscriptions

 

Regarding the mei, your comments have developed the following observations and questions. Reverse mei looks blemished away, by time I may suppose. Presuming the blade mei is Gi Mei, maybe the Gi Mei inscriptions can assist determining the blade time period. If that is so, then:

• What time period did Kunitsugu worked as a Smith?
• Does this time period overlaps with Masahiro’s (1600’s)?
• Is the blade characteristics similar to blades of this time periods?

 

Presuming both mei are authentic: is there anything that the community has seen out there as a double smith forged katana? Or in the other hand this is a mu mei with a Gi mei inscription.

 

 

Blade characteristics

 

Looking at the blade I found it quite attractive in particular its hamon and its current condition. I have to ask: Am I looking at a genuine Edo period nihonto, a gendaito or neither (fake blade)?

 

 

My aim was to buy a gendaito that was traditionally forged and used possibly in WW2.  Did I fail in my search? =(  

What could be this item value?

 

Any input in my observations and questions are welcomed. Thanks in advance.

[Ray Singer]

This does not appear to be a gendaito. I would lean towards the blade being shinto. There were a number of smiths who signed,l Kunitsugu, this will require some legwork to determine whether there was an authentic Kunitsugu mei and for which smith, however it appears that the mei was removed (rather than being deteriorated).

 

Additional note, aside from the formation of the mei Masahiro the sword itself does not appear to be in the style of Shinto Hojoji.  

[luisboni]

Thanks again for your input Ray. Based on your experience and the attached pictures am I looking at a genuine Nihonto? ( attached a picture for better appreciation of the blade curvature)

[raaay]

Hi  Luis

 

the curvature if a true reflection in your photo " may suggest a Kanban -Shinto style sori "  roughly about circa 1650 ,   but they also made swords in the Shin-Shinto period that  were also made with  little sori.    

[Ray Singer]

Luis, there is no doubt that this is an authentic Japanese sword.

[luisboni]

Thank you all for your input, I have learned a lot about my blade. Have a great rest of the day. Cheers.

 

- Luis