Wakizashi Swordsmith Confirmation

[Peter Churchman]

I have put another topic under inscription but put one here aswell if it gets missed.

 

I have recently come into this sword and seeing if anyone can help in interpretation and also if this may be the sword that marrys to the smith.

 

The mekugi holes line up perfectly so hopefully it is one point that it the sword matches the saya.

 

Any info greatly appreciated. Based off information also seeing what to do next with it. Worth stone polishing in Japan?

[cabowen]

Eiwa 3 nen (1377)

 

Mihara Masaie saku

 

 

Can't say if the sayagaki is correct but the blade looks to be of good quality.

[Grey Doffin]

I agree; the blade looks to be of quality. If the bamboo peg (mekugi) is missing replace it immediately;swords without their mekugi get very easily broken. Whittle a chopstick to fit.

Grey

[Peter Churchman]

For the age it looks good. I presume it has had a polish in its life.

[Ken-Hawaii]

Please add at least your first name on all posts, per Brian's rules.

 

Not a bad-looking blade, although the hamon looks pretty beefy for a wakizashi made in mid-Nambokucho. I think it's a given that the blade has been polished, probably many times over the years, but it's hard to tell much considering the condition of the surface. Actually, just the fact that it's in shirasaya indicates that it was polished, as that's what is made, along with a new habaki, after the togishi is done. So there's no reason why the mekugiana shouldn't line up with the shirasaya, considering that it was made for that blade.

 

Bob Benson out here in Hawaii is a Japan-trained togishi, & can be reached at bushidoswd@aol.com or 808-988-9908. His Web-site is http://www.bushidojapaneseswords.com/.

 

Welcome to the forum.

 

Ken

[Peter Churchman]

Apologies for not putting name on post

 

Peter.