robbyrne2

Thank you all so much for your guidance. Upon your advice I will take it to be looked at at shinsa and post results. From your comments it does not look like this is an oei bizen morimitsu despite the hon'ami style kinpun mei, but will let you know. For further information the shinogi-ji is low. Almost flat, but not quite. I think the blade as been polished a good few times over its lifetime so hope the integrity was maintained during polishing. The hada is a mixture between masame and itame on further inspection and the mune is quite think .7/.8cm, but gently tapers toward the kissaki to .4/.5cm. Plenty of photos so further thoughts are always appreciated. Fabulous to have a resource such as this online so I thank you again for your contributions.

There is utsuri. It can be seen (barely) in P1030028.jpg 3 posts ago. It can be seen best in natural sun, but it is very difficult to photograph. Not sure would this be best described as o-wakizashi or uchigatana? I know the length is very close to both. Would this depend on the age? I figured from the shinogi that it was possibly oei bizen or late kamakura. I also know that the hamon is atypical for oei bizen unless the blade was forged as an o-wakizashi, in that case sugu-ha seemed to be more common....

Hi All - some more photo's attached. The blade length is between 61 and 62 cm with a sori of about 1.5/2 cm. Total length is 75-76cm. The sori seems to be deepest toward the nakago. The hada is visible in one of the pictures and seems to flow along the blade, but not sure how to describe it. I dont think it is full o-kassaki, more chu. Hamon is su-guha with some ko-ashi and kinsuji. It would be great to narrow this down to school and of course confirm if it is a oei Bizen Morimitsu blade. It's beautiful regardless, but always nice to know the history of the blade that you have. Best, Robert

I am attaching some additional photos of the blade. You will have to excuse my incredibly poor photography skills. I tried my best! I have no idea if the blade was made as an o-wakizashi, uchigatana or is shortened, but it is just over 60cm in length. It came with Uchigatana mounts though (two handed tsuka), but they are obviously not original to the blade - Edo period I believe. Your help is very much appreciated in trying to identify the blade style etc. Thanks again, Robert

That does look very correct. Thanks! Is there any way for me to tell which morimitsu this was? or if it is a gimei?? It is only about 60cm, but beautifully forged and in relatively recent polish...

Thanks for the really swift response and info. The reverse of the tang is illegible unfortunately, but there was something written there at some point... Any thoughts on the attributed smith, age guess from patina etc would be greatly appreciated. Thanks again, Robert

Hi - Can anyone help in translating this? I was told it reads morimitsu, but the signature does not match any mitsu kanjii I have come across. New to the board and a complete beginner in this regard so any help appreciated... Thanks. Robert