Mark

not sure about BiShu being older form, my understanding is BiShu is the shortened form or less formal form of Bizen (and other provinces). I thought it was like saying "Mich" instead of Michigan, or OH instead of Ohio. Osafune is a town but also became, or was, a School or group. so bishu or Bizen Kuni Osafune Ju is a place description -- i am from Osafune Bizen, Bizen Kuni Ju Osafune more of i am from Bizen Prov and the Osafune group or school just my understanding, happy to be corrected and learn

maybe Higo (no) Kami Kuni ______ you might look up makers with that title with first kanji of name Kuni

i thought you had to be a member to submit for Juyo??? I am more familiar with swords than fittings but maybe applies to both? Here is Bob Benson's info https://www.bushidojapaneseswords.com/nbthk-shinsa-submission.html NBTHK Shinsa Fees: See NBTHK's shinsa fees at http://www.touken.or.jp/english/shinsa_fees.html - If you are a member we will need your NBTHK membership number. - If non-member the NBTHK charges 2,000 yen extra on each item submitted to shinsa for Hozon and Tokubetsu Hozon. ( i.e: If your piece passes both Hozon and T. Hozon you will be charged an additional 4,000 yen on top of their shinsa fees.) -For a Juyo Token shinsa submission you will have to become a NBTHK member. -You can join the American Branch of the NBTHK at www.nbthk-ab.org

BiShu Osafune ju Yokoyama Sukesada saku 60th generation not sure the next but usually Tomonari Keio 3rd year August (1867)

looks like Bizen Kuni Ju Norimitsu

happy to help.....if it helped and saved you $200 (if you bought it ) you could always throw Brian a biscuit

Bizen Kuni Ju Osafune Sukesada saku....... made by Sukesada from Bizen provice, from the town of Osafune or from Osafune group or school i would pass

if this were mine and i was trying to figure it out i would start thinking this is a name (the swords name) as Ray said. The english meaning of Aki will have little or no help you need someone who recognizes the kanji and know the meaning in the proper sword context. My guess it it is a name that means something about "cuts like through warm butter" or similar. You will need to be patient and someone will know and reply. Thanks for changing the pictures, standing on my head to see the kanji was a challenge

first year of Showa was 1926 so 20th is 1945 add 20 to 25 (26-1)

yoshihide may 1945

i mailed 2 swords and 3 tsuba to a customer here in the U.S. Priority insured marked "fragile" took 3 weeks instead of 3 days and when it arrived the box was smashed and torn open and the tsuba gone. i guess they could not get the swords in their pockets. It was a nightmare

grey has one for sale if you need a copy https://www.japaneseswordbooksandtsuba.com/store/books/b836-Japanese-polearms-knutsen

Grey has a copy of the book mentioned https://www.japaneseswordbooksandtsuba.com/store/books/b836-Japanese-polearms-knutsen

Grey and I are at the SF show. We have an extra pass for the show. Early entry, all days, including dinner. If interested email me nixe@bright.net

it is hard to start (or run ) a show. Bill Green tried Philadelphia and Baltimore but neither received much support . You would have to pick a date that is not close to another sword show and does not conflict with a "big" other show. maybe October or early November. Having the show in/at a hotel seems to work for the other sword shows. Having it near a large airport helps (if you want people to come from a distance it needs to be convenient, people prefer direct flights not connections especially when traveling with swords). If you are going to try i would say start small, and manage the growth. Orlando started with a couple dozen tables and is growing. You could start a study group or club and expand from that. If you have a show i would try and attend and support it.