Naotsugu Translation Help

[pcfarrar]

Just picked up an interesting gunto katana signed xxxshu Naotsugu saku and dated Keio xx

 

Can anyone help with the missing bits?

 

Thanks,

 

Peter

[Bugyotsuji]

豆洲　Zu Shu (Izu) 慶応　元年 Gan-nen, 1st yr of Keio, 仲秋　mid autumn?

[pcfarrar]

Thanks for the help.

 

Any idea which Naotsugu this is?

[cabowen]

 

Any idea which Naotsugu this is?

 

Was there more than one from Izu working in Keio????

[pcfarrar]

I guess its either NAO201 or NAO203 in Hawleys. I've checked all my references but they don't have anything on this smith.

 

It's a decent blade, has a three friends of winter horimono. Just came out of the woodwork, was brought back by a Royal Navy Rating from Changi prison at the end of WW2.

[cabowen]

Do you have Markus' swordsmith meikan? If you don't, you should...Try google. If you find little to nothing, it means he is not a smith of any note.

 

Would that be a prison horimono? :lol:

[pcfarrar]

Do you have Markus' swordsmith meikan? If you don't, you should...Try google. If you find little to nothing, it means he is not a smith of any note.

 

I was waiting for the NMB version of Markus' book.....if someone could check for me that would be great.

 

Would the horimono be original to the blade or a WW2 addition? It doesn't seem to be hiding any forging flaws that i can see.

 

Also I found a wakizashi by the same smith:

 

http://www.e-sword.jp/sale/2013/1310_2006syousai.htm

 

And a naginata with identical mei:

 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Antique-Japanes ... 1277950706

[cabowen]

I will bet it was a later addition....

 

Don't wait for a book that may never be published- get what is available now....

[pcfarrar]

Unfortunately this smith isn't mentioned in Markus' Swordsmith book. Are they any other Japanese references that might contain information on this smith? I've checked the usual Toko Taikan, Fujishiro, Koza etc.