questions about description of this auction

[korsaire]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Japanese-Sword- ... 337b951fa9

 

 

hi to all. i am new to this wonderful world of nihonto and read a lot to try to learn some, in that auction in the description on the signature line :Bishu Osafune Ju Morimitsu(It is illegible). It is overwritten a signature.

what illegible and overwritten mean in that case since English is not my first language not sure about what it mean. thanks Luc

[Grey Doffin]

Hi Luc,

Illegible means not readable. By overwritten a signature I think the seller means that one signature is carved over the top of another. I've never seen this before; no idea why it was done.

Grey

[Curran]

The shirasaya is written "Rai Kunimitsu" (Yamashiro School)

The blade signature is "Morimitsu" (Bizen Osafune School)

 

There are minor flaws in the blade.

Blade needs a polish and new shirasaya. Cost would probably be $1200 to $2000 for polish + $350 for shirasaya+ (cost of blade on eBay)

 

Jigane looks correct for Bizen Osafune, but the "Mitsu" character of Morimitsu does not look correct to me. This is just my opinion.

I cannot see the "Mori" character to make judgement.

c. 1829 would be a later generation "Morimitsu".

[korsaire]

thanks to both of you