Saw Some Beautiful Swords Today #1

[Prewar70]

I met a guy at a show and he had a tanto that I was interested in.  He said he had a couple of other swords at home that he didn't bring with and because we lived near each other I could come take a look.  So today I did and I was extremely impressed.  Very much a novice but these are in excellent condition.  I snapped some photos and would like help with the signature and any thoughts/comments on what they are. Blades are in excellent condition and very good polish.  No open grains, a few nail catchers but no real damage.  I plan on making him an offer.  Thanks for your help and hope you enjoy.

 

Sword 1  Wakizashi

 

 

[Jean]

Why don't you try first with this: beginning 2 kanji is the name of the province

 

http://www.jssus.org/nkp/kanji_for_provinces.html

 

Last two are smith name

 

http://www.jssus.org/nkp/kanji_for_mei.html

 

You must know this site by heart

 

http://www.japaneseswordindex.com/nihonto.htm

[Prewar70]

Jean thanks for the help.  I will work on that as soon I drop my daughter off at basketball!  Would love all comments, opinions, etc.

[ROKUJURO]

James,

what is it that you are attracted by?

I seem to see a blade with some corrosion on the edge, coming out of an obviously dirty SAYA, a polish that does not show a lot (maybe it's the photos), and a very, very simple TSUBA. HABAKI is o.k. I think.

Signature is CHIKUZEN KUNI no JU KANE XX (KIYO or HARU?). I have no sword books to look it up. 

[Prewar70]

I'm sure the blade is better in person, and it was.  Elegant curve.  Clean.  And the first word that came to mind when I looked at it, honest, not messed with.  The hamon is more straight, which I like.

[Mark]

i thought Echizen Kuni, i liked Jeans ideas of looking,

[Stephen]

Having swords  dry up around here, id be excited to have finds like yours, if all are acquired at a good price they should sell themselves for you to buy one very good sword.

[Prewar70]

well i can tell you Jean's idea is painful because my head hurts.  I might not be cutout for translating Japanese.  If someone took the time with this sword for example, to show me how the kanji match up with the kanji in the database I'd be greatful.  This isn't easy

[Prewar70]

Thanks Stephen, I feel very excited about them.  They seem like masterpieces to me.  Since you mentioned price, what do you think is a reasonable asking price based on my description and pics?  His ask is 2500 usd for this sword.