Mark

SoShu Ju Yasuharu

my opinion is: a later copy made 1880-1930

I think Akihiro ... that is a very famous maker

If you are not far from Grey you should contact him. He would be a great mentor and I am sure he would be happy to encourage you and share any information he can

it is a genuine sword. Wakizashi, unsigned. Hard to say age probably 200-400 years old. The kissaki looks like it may have been reshaped, can you see the boshi (temper in the tip)?

unless my computer is having issue I do not see any images.... I tried clicking on what may be a link but after waiting a few minutes for it to load I gave up. can you please post the images here

Steve Thanks!! appreciate the help, it was a bit beyond my ability

sorry I could not attach to original post here it is

I can not make out the inscription, I think maybe to commemorate something. any help appreciated. Thanks for looking sorry system would not allow me to add the file, it is below

Thanks to Steve and all who replied.

Any assistance appreciated. I can see Yamato?? in the top section, and I see some numbers in the 2 smaller columns but I am not sure of the correct translation/meaning Thanks for looking

I know nothing about fittings, that being said they do not look like repros to me, I get the feeling of Jakushi, sorry no help on translation the grass script is difficult

in my opinion this is a Chinese fake. Please see the link above that gives examples

James I agree. anyone else have any suggestions for the first kanji? thanks for looking

Danny Massey asked me to post a link (he is having sign on issues) Check his items here http://www.ebay.com/sch/suppab/m.html?_ipg=50&_sop=12&_rdc=1 Danny is a great guy to deal with.

Matt so that would be about 1330. I can see what you noted, I had seen that before. I thought Gentoku but that did not seem reasonable, so I thought maybe the kanji was larger and I was just seeing the top. If it says Gentoku then the hole was there or the kanji written knowing the hole would be there, meaning the original hole. That may be the case, but I had thought it may have been added later and obscured part of the mei. So if it says Gentoku probably gimei. Any other thoughts appreciated

I read Katsumasa Showa 20 3rd month march 1945

I have a shinogizukuri wakizashi. The mei is a bit faint. I can read BiShu Osafune JU Kagemitsu. I am having trouble with the first kanji of the date as there is a hole through it. I think I read ???toku 2nd year. If shoshin it should be dated when a shinogizukuri wakizashi could be made. Or it could just be gimei. If I can figure out the first kanji then maybe I can research further. The top of the kanji can be seen above the hole so I thought maybe someone can read it from that. Any help appreciated. If we figure out the date comments about the sword or validity of the mei are welcome. Thanks

I am not comfortable telling someone else what to buy. I think it best to buy something at a level you know and then move up slowly as you learn and can evaluate the sword yourself

Both of the NTHK groups usually put the important info in English on the points worksheet. If they are NTHK(Yoshikawa) papers you can ask Tom Helm I have found him very helpful, same said for Chris Bowen of the NTHK-NPO. If they are NBTHK ask the agent who handled the submission, I have always found them willing to assist.

not bad for what it is. If you were and army officer in 1944 it would have been appropriate, if you collect WWII military swords it would fit in your collection. If you are looking for an antique handmade sword it is not that

made Novemebr 1943 by Yoshinao. No history, it is a blade made in a factory for use by an army (probably) officer. these are not traditionally made, they are military weapons made for WWII

Chicago is April 29, 30 May 1, 2016......... for details check www.chicagoswordshow.com there will be a lot of knowledgeable people there, very educational. any questions email me thanks

Thanks Morita-san and John!!!! I will have to look it up, not sure it is written that well.

I see ??? Tomo? ???? Kao or kanji......... does not make sense to me, 3 kanji and a kao or 4 kanji? Any help appreciated. Thanks!!!!!!!