Theo

Hello all,

This sword has been in my family and I'm trying to learn more about it — the smith, school, or period, and a translation of the signature on the tang if possible.

A few details: it's in a military-style mount with a sarute (ring) fitted to the kashira, a same/ito-wrapped tsuka with floral menuki, and copper-toned fittings with floral carving. There's a single mekugi-ana, and a column of hand-chiseled kanji next to it that I haven't been able to read with confidence from photos alone — the tang has some corrosion.

I've attached photos of the tang/mei, the tsuka and menuki, and the kashira/sarute fitting. Any help reading the signature, or placing the smith, school, or era, would mean a lot — this has personal significance to my family and I'm trying to piece together its history.

Thank you for any insight you can offer.