Ray Singer

Echizen Yasutsugu saku

Hi Mark, Motosato/Motozato is indeed a surname. Unfortunately I'm not able to decipher the last character on the reverse side and I'm unsure of the meaning. Best regards, Ray

Hitachi no kami Mune(shige) https://nihontoclub.com/smiths/MUN397

This is what Tsuruta replied. "I think this place must be fixed as umegane." He did not answer with specifics on how this repair was done.

あき__ Aki__

本里 - (moto sato)

Kogatana is signed Etchu no kami Fujiwara Masatoshi.

I saw those spots as well. The concentric rings look a bit like a microweld. There was a shop in Japan advertising their nihonto micro weld services on Instagram at one point. I am not sure if that is the answer though.

Tenbun period I believe the nagasa is 2 shaku 6 bu

Mino (no) kuni Jumyo

https://www.google.com/search?q=takehisa+gendaito+site:www.militaria.co.za&rlz=1C1GCEU_enUS954US954&sxsrf=ALiCzsbxsMI_D0YHrk9m76Kb1GJRqWybKw:1655595607961&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiupOqglrj4AhV5kGoFHUfdAvAQrQIoBHoECAoQBQ&biw=1536&bih=849&dpr=2.5

The first looks like it may be Nobukuni

Signed: Takehisa Dated: Fall, 1943

This is one I expected to sell quickly, but just want to recap a few details. This sword is massively heavy, healthy, wide and thick. It a very robust and powerful polearm. Workmanship is beautiful, and the relationship between Kunihide and his teacher Nagayama Ikkansai Yoshihiro is clear, in studying the hamon and the workmanship in the ji. The blade is ubu, signed and dated, and has both sayagaki and kanteisho. There is a lot of value and a lot to enjoy in this one. If anyone was thinking of it and have questions, please feel free to reach out at raymondsinger@gmail.com. Best regards, Ray

Perhaps thinking of Kajihei?

I wouldn't discount it. There were a number of Osafune Kiyomitsu. I would send to shinsa.

It depends on your definition of old. The blade appears to be Edo period (Shinto or Shinshinto), Mino.

HI David, we will need to see more detailed photos of the swords including the nakago (tang) with the handles removed. Please take care not to handle the polished blade with your hands directly as this will case rust. Wipe down the blade and keep it oiled. Best regards, Ray

My pleasure Christian. Best regards, Ray

One kanji I am not clear on. Noshu Seki Maegawa Suke___ kore o saku.

In shirasaya, unsure what koshirae this had (whether or not it was in a traditional nagamaki koshirae originally).

Massive nagamaki in hirazukuri shape by the Shinshinto smith Tachibana Kunihide. Signed Soshu Kamakura junin Kunihide saku and dated August, 1864. Kunihide was an excellent swordsmith who studied under the well known smith Nagayama Ikkansai Yoshihiro. Like Yoshihiro works producing Norishige utushimono, this nagamaki has a strong chikei pattern formed by mixed steel. The hamon is ko-gonome midare with tremendous activity. In polish, with shirasaya having a sayagaki. There is also an NTHK kanteisho. $3,750 (plus shipping and PayPal). Any questions, please email raymondsinger@gmail.com. Best regards, Ray

It's a date. Showa 17.

Seki Sukemitsu Nobumitsu saku. https://www.google.com/search?q=seki+sukemitsu+nobumitsu+nihonto+site:www.militaria.co.za&rlz=1C1GCEU_enUS954US954&sxsrf=ALiCzsZ8D_hr97SSglc4Z6vKV2k15AKHlg:1654888179553&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjv69bwyqP4AhUASzABHTz4BqcQrQIoBHoECAcQBQ&biw=1536&bih=849&dpr=2.5