So I Bought The Wakizashi And The Tanto

[Prewar70]

Here's the link to the original discussion regarding the signature:

 

http://www.militaria.co.za/nmb/topic/18954-saw-some-beautiful-swords-today-1/

 

I did go back and we agreed to a price on the Wakizashi and Tanto.  Still working on the Katana.  I want to share some more detailed photos now that I have the swords in my possession.  The tsuba is signed, didn't realize that, perhaps someone would like to tell me what it says.  Please offer up any points for discussion.  Everyones' comments are very helpful and a great learning experience for me.

 

 

 

 

[Prewar70]

Some of my photos are not rotated properly, they were when I attached them.  If someone can tell me how to rotate let me know.

[Brian]

Cellphones rotate the image sometimes.

You have to open them in an image program and resave them

[Prewar70]

[Prewar70]

[SteveM]

Hello James, as Jean mentioned in the previous thread, usually the signature comes in the form of (top to bottom)

 

Location (the province, or kuni where the smith worked)

Smith's name 

 

There are a limited number of provinces, and not all of them were great production centers for swords, so with a bit of practice you can recognize the kanji for the main provinces, and that will lead to a hint for the smith's name since smiths from one location/school often adopted names that had a particular kanji in them. The links posted on this site ("Research") are full of good information. To get you started;

[Prewar70]

Steve thank you that is very helpful and exactly what I was hoping someone would do.  I think some of these swordsmiths should have taken a handwriting class. I'm surprised at what some of the kanji actually are.

 

I have been looking for the signature on the tsuba with no luck.  Any ideas?

[Grey Doffin]

Masanobu 正信 , if I'm not mistaken.

Grey

[Prewar70]

Grey you are good.  I did a search and was able to see several tsubas with the same signature.  Not sure if it's the same smith or not but same kanji.  I looked at a sword too, same name.  Grey any thoughts as too age for the tsuba?  Is it a smith you have seen before?

 

I didn't notice the fittings as much until I got the sword home.  To me they seem of good quality.  The fittings are almost as intriguing to me as the blade itself.

[Prewar70]

Crickets. Guess I upset the Nihonto forum gods by creating a second thread. I will know better next time.