What do I have here?

[paul s]

I bought these two swords in the past month, The top one is Shingunto? bottom one I have not had the grip off do to the braiding done by the sailer who brought it home after WWII. Thanks for any info.

[hxv]

Paul,

The bottom one says "Bizen Osafune Ju" and the rest of the mei is cut off.

Regards,

Hoanh

[cabowen]

bizen osafune ju

 

yokoyama fujiwara sukenaga

 

備前長船住

 

横山藤原祐永

[ROKUJURO]

Paul,

 

it may be an older blade, considerably cut to shorten the NAKAGO (tang) and strangely signed on both sides. I can read BIZEN OSAFUNE no JU. The other side is less easy to see and I can only read YOKOYAMA FUJIWARA. The experts here will know more. Signatures may or may not be genuine and are not necessarily a sign of value.

 

Please read everything here on NMB on preserving Japanese blades. Doing the wrong 'cleaning' may damage the blades and lead to a considerable loss in value. Don't clean the NAKAGO except with a dry cloth or a toothbrush!

 

As you can see, the blades are secured in the handle with a bamboo peg. Try to find that peg (MEKUGI) in the other handle, don't cut the binding!

[paul s]

The 3rd pic (that does not open?) Shows the tang, It has 3 holes and a 4th hole started but goes only 1/2 way thrue? Why so many holes? Any idea how old the two blades are? Thanls, Paul S

[ROKUJURO]

The 3rd pic....shows the tang, it has 3 holes and a 4th hole started but goes only 1/2 way through? Why so many holes? Any idea how old the two blades are?.....

Paul,

 

there is a lot of books waiting for you to be read!

 

New MEKUGI ANA were made to adapt the NAKAGO to a new TSUKA (handle). Over time, TSUKA needed to be exchanged when they dried out, became brittle, and got cracks. One of these holes seems to have been plugged with lead (?) when it was no longer used.

 

We can try to determine the age of a blade when we have all information necessary: all measurements and description data, good, sharp pictures of all parts of the naked blade (good state of polish is necessary!) including the NAKAGO, perhaps of a MEI and sometimes of a date. The MEI on your blade will have to be evaluated.

 

There were BIZEN smiths of that name in early EDO times (e.g. YOKOYAMA KOZUKE DAIJO FUJIWARA SUKESADA), but I can't tell if this smith had made your sword. If you are interested, it will be you part of the work to do some research in books and in the www.