GarnerWall

There's a strong chance 清 is original but since 江作 aren't as deep and there's a large separation I would agree it's most likely Gimei. I wouldn't be surprised if 清 is Gimei as well though.

At the end of the day I paid less than what the sword was worth even if it's a gimei from the mid-muromachi period. It was quite an honor tracking down and talking to the old owner in Japan (even if my sword isn't the same one he owned), the WW2 generation is dying off quite fast and it's hard to talk to Japanese WW2 vets due to the stigma surrounding the war. I combed through over 2,000 Kanji and 5,000 Muromachi era swords and narrowed down the Kanji to 清江作 (Kiyoe Saku). There's no smith with that name at least in any record I could find. So either the sword is Gimei, or there was a Kiyoe and all of his works have been destroyed, or the Kanji is misread. With over 10 swords in my collection this has by far been the most fun I've ever had in the hobby, I'll eventually figure out more information. Hoping some people on this forum can help me do so.

Some additional confusion I'm having is that in 2012 when this sword was exported Nagano Prefecture gave a Certificate of Export Examination with photos that has this sword but also verifies it as Kiyosuna. Perhaps someone got lazy and just followed what was on the registration papers? I haven't provided those papers due to privacy concerns but I can black out any info if someone could help me with an explanation.

So it's your conclusion this isn't a suriage?

I mainly purchased this blade as I hadn't seen anything like it before. I have a collection of many other swords but they're all Hozon verified so I've never had to do any "digging", this seemed like a fun side project. I connected with a family member of the person who sold the sword in the 90s and had the honor of speaking with him. The story regarding them being retainers during the 1300s is all correct and whomever owns that sword has something really special. The sword I have isn't their family sword, there was obviously some sort of paperwork mess up over the last 30 years that got me papers that have nothing to do with the sword I purchased. I've so far translated the Mei to 清 作, at the moment I have not been able to translate the middle Kanji. My assumption is close to yours, most likely mid Muromachi. Regarding photos, what way should I be taking them to get the desired effect?

Updated information now. I went ahead and did my own research and measurements instead of relying on the information of the previous owner in Canada.

Additional lore: The previous Japanese owner was of former Shizoku status and his family were former retainers of the Hōjō Clan during the Kamakura period. There is no information on when the Suō domain fell to the Ashikaga Shogunate but based on Kiyotsuna Kenmu dying in 1338 it could be assumed that this lined up with the Hōjō clan losing their status in the region. The previous owner is well into his 100s now and doesn't remember much about the sword or his families complete lineage, and I'm sure he doesn't want some American barging into his life asking anymore questions hah. He did carry a Wakizashi into battle during the war but couldn't remember if it was this one or another, both Wakizashi and a Katana were hidden under their home from '45 until sometime in the 90s. Blade Length 52.75cm Sori 0.95cm Hamachi 2.86cm Kissiki 2.22cm Kasane 0.79cm

Hey! The only information I could find on Kiyotsuna was a thread from this forum in December of 2015. I'm wondering if there's anyone here that could help me. What I know: The sword is signed by Kiyotsuna 清綱 Registered in Japan in the 6th year of Emperor Showa [1931] (my translation might be off, I'm not very good at Japanese) Purchased in 2012 and imported to Canada (purchased by me last month and imported to America). Originally a Tachi or Kodachi (mei is on the edge down side) Has 3 mekugi pin holes Seems very thin which leads me to believe it was damaged in battle that was shortened to be a Wakizashi during the 1500s The weird: Mountings are in a Tachi style. Saya is longer than the blade. The saya has two end pieces that look like they're glued or at least scored all the way around. The mei has 3 kanji but the sword is only accredited with 2 kanji. Blade Length - 48.2cm or 19" Hamon - Straight (Visible) Habaki - Copper Tsuba - Iron with flower design. Tsuba is lose Tsuka Length - 23cm or 9". Overall Length of Sword - 73.6cm or 29.25" Menuki - Looks like rats Saya - Mottled Black and brown That's all I can think of right now. All around this is a weird one for me. I've never seen mountings like this for a Kodachi or Wakizashi. Based on reasonable assumptions the blade is 1202-1338 assuming it's from the actual Niō school. Most likely it was resized during the edo period and worn as a wakizashi. I've found another tachi and a tanto from the Niō school and they look similar to the blade I have. Let me know your thoughts, thank you!