FIGHTENIRISH35

Thank you! Will do. Any idea who the smith of the blade was so I can put a name who created this beautiful blade. And I will post many more images once it arrives.

Its being thrown into a trade for militaria. Trade Value is under 700.

Greetings Everybody.Hope all is well. I have been offered this sword shown in the photos. It is not mounted but in a wooden scabbard. The tang has deep file marks and is signed. Could I please have assistance with the sword smith of this blade. It is greatly appreciated. Thank you. Regards,Michael

Sadly I was not able to get it. I went up to 1,000 at auction for both swords. It sold slightly more than 1,000.I was really hoping to add an older blade to my collection.

Shinto period is pre 1800 correct? I wasn't exclecting to hear it could be that old. The condition and blade temper line is very nice.

Thank you very much fellas. I was able to research the smith a bit so nice to know what I am going after now. I wish there was a way to takd better pictures of the two holed sword but that is all I have for now.

Greetings Everybody . I have the chance to purchase two Japanese swords today. One sword has kanji on the tang. There is another sword I'm curious about. I've heard that two holes on the tang usually means older sword. Is it possible to tell how old this sword might be. I can't get the handle off here unless I use some power or by tapping it a little bit and do not want to do that in front of auctioneers. From the pictures provided can you tell me anything about this sword. The blade has a very nice temper line but has a few dry rust spots I believe. Thank you very much for anything information. Also providing a photo of tang of the ww2 sword for possible translation of smith. Thank you so much for any help and knowledge here. Kind regards,Michael

last photo of blade..Thanks again for any help.

picture of tang

Just got the sword today and I must say Im more impressed with it in hand. I had some choji oil so i took a little bit and went over the blade with it. All parts are numbered 75. I decided to take off the torn reminents of the leather scabard. I discovered that the scabard has take most likely a bullet strike and you can see the damage. I compared the scabard to examples in Dawsons Japanese sword book and notice the ring fitting in all examples are not that far up as in mine. Have any of you seen ring fittings this high up on a scabard at all? After looking at these photos is it possible to tell if this is a authentic Bushu Shimohara ju Hiroshige blade or could this be one of those swords ive heard of that have those fake signatures added? Thanks kindly for any thoughts or advice on this sword. I do appreciate it.

sorry it took me a little bit to get back to the post. Thank you TORYU and Jaques. That great that it has a chance to be legit. Im going to inspect it soon as me and the fellow worked out a fair price. It does have very strong provenance of being a ww2 bring back. Am very excited as this will be my oldest blade in my collection and I like the fact that it was put into military mounts,i like that combo. Thank you very much guys in ID'ng the maker. I will post again when I have sword in hand. Thanks!!! O

Did some searching after the lead that Simon was able to give. The signature does seem to be Bushu Shimohara ju Hiroshige. After some searching I found that two smiths that from what I understand both used same signature??? Please correct me if im wrong. http://nihontoclub.com/smiths/HIR387 and http://nihontoclub.com/smiths/HIR386 Is there a way to know the exact smith by chance? Thanks again for any help on this sword. I do appreciate it.

Thank you Simon. I appreciate the info and I will make a couple searches now to find his other work to compare and study as well as to learn about the swordsmith. Nagamaki...Greetings. I myself am a collector of Japanese Naval Aviation Items but i do collect other items if they are solid examples. My father has been collecting and researching his whole life and his interest of Militaria and Japanese military specifically rubed off on me. My father focuses on IJA Army and IJA Aviation. The sword in question is a sword that my fathers very good friend and fellow collector has offered. The gentleman who has it deals in napoleonic era items so he did not have information on the sword itself. If this sword turns out to be a nice example I will be looking foward to adding into to my collection and it will find a nice spot in the collecting room on the wall with other sword examples. Thanks for asking because I know that does help in members responding as I know that many people use these forums to find out what something is worth. My intentions are good and am only looking to learn about this sword as well as its history of its maker. Thank you kindly

last of the photos. And thanks again everyone for any help that you can shed. I greatly appreciate that.

more photos

Greetings all,Hope everyone is well. I have recently been offered this Japanese Sword that looks OK to me but im just not so sure. Id like to know what your feelings and thoughts are towards this sword. I also would be very very very greatful in an assistance translating the Tang. Right now these are the only pics I have from the fellow , so I appologize about the clarity. Thanks so much for help on this blade.

Greetings Henry, Thanks for the welcome and advice ,since ive joined Ive been reading up on blades and culture and learning about things I never knew before,some great info on here and im thrilled im now turned onto it Take care all!

Hello All! Let me first say this site seems to be incredible and the members have been very helpful so far. A little about me .... My names Mike..Ive been around a history buff/avid collector since the day I was born(My dad)!!ive had a REAL interest and appreciation for History for about 2 years and have spent about a year diveing into WW2 Japanese items. My grand father was an officer and served in the 77th Division during the war and was on Guam and later Leyte where he was serious wounded. On Guam he captured one of the first swords by his regiment (306th Regiment). It wasnt anything special but as it was brought back by my grandpa and we know when and how it is by far the best sword. My father has been collecting Napoleonic items since a teenanger and I recently have turned him onto Japanese miilitaria and hasnt looked back since haha. I really enjoy collecting as I belive it truely is a gateway to get away from stress and daily problems and bad news....just head home...go into your "War room" open a book or log onto the forums and wham the troubles in life seem to dissapear. This is a great hobby we have and im glad to now be a member of this great site and look foward in asking questions(please dont be upset if i ask what seems like obvious ones as I am a novice),making friends, roaming the posts,and shareing what I can. See you all on the forum! Take care.

PM sent Thanks Stephen

Wow,is this also Yoshimune's work as well....thank you for the posting the link!! the fileing on the mei is pratically identical.....makes me kind of upset seeing what it would look like polished and happy that i know it will be properly done one of these days when extra money losens up.... was the sword on the link being sold?

Koichi ,thank you very much for the info.I think this makes the sword so much more unique with this extra engraving. Stephen,are you trying to tell me its time to use steel to get some rust off until the oil comes... is this safe?!?!??!...im scared

George thanks so much for the time to explain the rating and the correct smith info. I cant wait to have the sword in hand to be able to see the quality in person. Thats good to know that atleast he does have a rateing on someones list,I mean just from the pictures ive seen I can tell its pretty darn good work. Cant wat to share images with you all,should arrive by saturday. Thanks again for your help ! Regards, Michael

thanks guys,yes I will begin useing Choji Oil very soon on this blade. Its such a shame that for however long it was sitting in someones home it was never taken care of. My dad says its like a dog just showing up on your doorstep and once it arrives its kind of your oligation to take care of it now.

And in this image i have a question!!!! I drew an arrow at the area where it looks like the tip may have been used by a diferent metal? This is the back of the spine near the tip and about 3 and half inches from the tip is a straight line going across the spine that you can see its a diferent shade of metal...what exactly is this? Thank you gentleman!