Ray Singer

This is the working date for this smith (not confirming that the signature is authentic). https://nihontoclub.com/smiths/NAG250

Congrats to Jean and Michael for their bids to Hatakeda. https://www.aoijapan.com/appraisal-quiz-488

According to Markus Sesko's book, Toshimichi was only Yasutoshi's civilian name. He died young after producing only 350 sword. I suspect that he only signed Yasutoshi.

I do not know who this smith is but this does not give the impression of a Yasutoshi. Especially, note the takanoha yasurimei which would be atypical. I do not know if Yasutoshi used the mei Toshimichi on any of his earlier swords but have never seen an example.

No attachments to your post. See below... http://www.e-sword.jp/sale/2010/1010_2024syousai.htm http://www.e-sword.jp/sale/0810_1070syousai.htm

This appears to be NBTHK Hozon (which are one sided kanteisho).

This piece has been withdrawn. Please feel free to archive this thread... Best regards, Ray

There are no notations indicating an opinion on the specific smith or time period. Only confirmation that they felt the mei is authentic.

I agree, Ichimonji is a good call.

Photos of the koshirae are attached.

Listing for sale a beautiful Soshu-den katana attributed to the shinshinto smith Maizuru Tomohide. This smith originated in Kawachi province and worked for the Hojo daimyo of Sayama domain. It is believed that he later settled in Edo and studied under the jojo-saku smith Koyama Munetsugu. His working time period spans into the Meiji period ending around 1870. Tomohide is known for producing a magnificent sugata reminicent of the outsize blades of the Nambokucho period. His swords tend to have a very wide mihaba, and o-kissaki are typical. Hamon are often in the Soshu-den or So-den Bizen, having a nie-deki hamon of gonome and choji with profuse activity. This sword is a textbook example of Tomohide's work. The sugata, as expected, is a powerful one reminiscent of Nambokucho work. There is a wide mihaba of 32mm, with little change in width to the yokote. The hamon is a tremendously active Soshu-den, with profuse hataraki (kinsugi, sunagashi, ashi, nado). As you can see in the photos below, the jihada is a very beautiful itame with chikei and ji-nie which also recalls high quality koto Soshu work. The sword is ubu and measures 2 shaku 3 sun (69.7cm). The blade has a 6mm kasane. There is a high quality shirasaya with tsunoguchi and a well-made solid silver habaki. Additionally, this sword comes with a very nice koshirae. The saya is samegawa in perfect condition. It appears that the tsuka has been re-wrapped and the menuki are modern. The fuchigashira and tsuba are ensuite (and appear to be made by the same hand) in sakura motif. Each piece is iron with sakura inlaid in shakudo, silver and gold. The tsuba is also sakura shape. SOLD

The Tokubetsu Hozon kanteisho is dated March 24, 2017. It may not have been Aoi who resubmitted to confirm the attribution (though perhaps Darcy confirmed this). Regardless, I agree that it is nice to see that the sword has current papers in addition to the earlier Tokubetsu Kicho.

Karl, this is a Bizen Sukesada. Not a Hizen Tadayoshi.

The date I posted above translates to the 2nd month of the year 1536.

Bishu Osafune Sukesada Tenbun go nen ni gatsu hi

...

Additional photos attached.

I will say from the beginning that military swords and mounting are not my areas of focus. Listed for a friend, what appears to be a naval saber with 2 suspension rings. Samegawa with brown lacquer. Condition appears very good, but one area of loss to the same shown in photos. Folding guard (retention clasp). Blade is not hand-forged. Link to a similar example on the Ohmura site below. http://ohmura-study.net/773.html xxx (plus shipping and PayPal). Any questions, please email raymondsinger@gmail.com Kind regards, Ray

I believe his teacher's names should be read 'Koyama Nobumitsu' and 'Suetsugu Shigemitsu' (not two separate smiths Suetsugu and Shigemitsu).

Thanks Ken!

Thanks! Just sold to a good friend offline.

Please, please convince him otherwise. The sword signed 'Bi' shows nice age to the nakago. Certainly koto, maybe earlier Muromachi (even if the mei were not authentic). katana-mei generally (but not always) precludes Nambokucho or earlier. Tell him that going to an amateur is a good way to destroy his investment and insure that the sword cannot be salvaged in the future. If he inherited these swords from his father, he should show some respect for them and see to their preservation.

The Korekazu is not longer available. Please move to the archives. Thank you.

I do not think Yasutsugu ever signed Echizen (no) kami. He worked in Echizen, and did not have Echizen as a given title. Seems like a point of confusion for whoever (not Yasutsugu) signed this sword.

The pitting in the kissaki is quite severe. I would not recommend going to anyone other than a licensed togishi for that restoration work.