BTW

[Cuirassier]

This is the mei

chikugo no kuni ju muto hidehiro

I believe (though shoot me down in flames if I am wrong)

 

[george trotter]

Hi Mark,

Yes you are correct.

Muto Hidehiro is a good gendai smith. He worked after the war also. After the war he used Hizen style suguba, but the few I have seen made in WWII period were RJT with a star stamp and were very sharp pointy hamon almost nokogiri (saw teeth pattern), but more irregular. You have done well here...hope the blade is in good condition

He is on page 100 of Ono Gendai Toko Meikan 1971. He descends from 8th gen Hizen Tadayoshi - 1st Gen Muto Shinano no Kami Hisahiro - 2nd gen Muto Hisahiro - this man.

Hope this helps.

[Cuirassier]

Hi George

Thank you for both your posts. I feel kinda proud about this sword; yes, it is in very good order though has a tiny, tiny tip missing (not so noticeable or important I think) which the auction house failed to declare. I bought it from specialists Bonhams, but they got the mei wrong, and I was sure they had without even inspecting the sword. When I saw the habaki and hamon, I looked at what at the various characters for the signature they declared it as (Takewara Hidehiro) and figured they could well be wrong, noticed the similarity between certain kanji, went for it without even seeing it and I was 100% spot on all through a hunch and detective work.

Cheers

Mark

[george trotter]

Good find Mark...mine was Koki 2603...1943 and it was star stamped. You may find that his yasurimei is kiri in WWII but sujikai after the war, with kesho. What is your hamon?

His name was Muto Hidekichi and lived in Fukuoka ken Ogawa shi...He was born in Mei 24, he started making swords for the army in Sho 14. and re-started in swords in Sho 32.

The oshigata of my sword is now on Rich Stein's "Showa Oshigata Database" on the Japanese Sword Index on the link above.

Regards,

[Cuirassier]

Hi George

I hope this photo answers all :D

As it is not a Napoleonic (swords of which I crave over appreciate) I will be selling it on, but fully intend to enjoy for a while.

Mark

[Cuirassier]

PS Yes, also, forgot, star stamp (also missed from the Bonhams declaration for which I am very grateful )

[SwordGuyJoe]

Nice find Mark, congrats!!