Yoshisuke Wakizashi

[Shamsy]

Hello all,

 

I finally got around to asking for assistance translating my wakizashi mei. Thanks to Ray and Peter, I know it was signed by Yoshisuke. Peter also provided some additional information, but because I'm on my 6 monthly care routine, I thought I'd get some additional pictures and see what everyone thinks now I have decent pictures of the activity.

 

Extract of what Peter provided:

"I thought that this would be a chance for us to introduce the difference between ON and KUN pronunciations. I though that these very (very) late Shoshu guys signed with these characters that we all think of a "Yoshisuke", but went with the name "GISUKE". This is also when the Soshu-den was dissolving in the Muromachi era. There certainly seems to have been a demand for these solid hirazukuri "otanto" at that time. They are quite worthy - by one name or another!"

[SAS]

Nice!

[Shamsy]

So if I may ask for some clarification:

 

The sword is technically (according to measures I find online and in Connoisseurs) a wakizashi in length (just), though Peter has mentioned it is an otanto, which I believe basically means 'big tanto'. Is the measurements of swords a given for their classification, or are there exceptions to the basic rules? I ask this as I have never seen a tanto in full navy koshirae before, only wakizashi.

 

Peter has said the sword is quite worthy. Does that mean that it would likely paper at shinsa? There is some ware apparent, though I don't believe that precludes papering in the slightest.

 

Sounds like it was made in the Muromachi era, but can anyone offer a suggested century?

 

General comments, information etc is very welcome and desired. I've steadily forgotten more about traditional swords than I remember.

[EdWolf]

Steve,

 

The definition of a wakizashi changed over time. Markus Sesko wrote a nice artikel about it.

 

https://markussesko.com/2015/08/11/the-wakizashi/

 

You can also call your blade a Ko-Wakizashi (slightly bigger than a Tanto). So a ko-wakizashi in full navy Koshirae.