High Grade Wakizashi, Gold Foil Habaki, Full Bohi, Old And Unusual Signature

[gustaf]

It appears to be a higher grade wakizashi with full bohi and gold foil wrapped habaki. Family had it for the past 70 years with no change in possession. Everything points to a valuable blade but translation escapes me. Looks like only two kanji but blade seems to be rather old. Any help is much appreciated.

[Jean]

Translation is: Masaie

[gustaf]

Absolutely incredible. Thank you.

[Ray Singer]

I would look to the Bingo Mihara group.

 

Best regards,

Ray

[Jean]

http://www.sho-shin.com/sanyo13.htm

 

I have no example of Masaie signature, under the hand, but there were several generations.

[Ray Singer]

Funny Jean, one of the Mihara on that page is mine and I was not aware that there were photos online. Gustaf, here is an oshigata of the first generation Mihara Masaie who worked in the Kamakura period. This would be earlier than your sword. There was also a Masaie in the Sengo school, however I don't have any oshigata on hand at the moment.

 

Best regards,

Ray

[Ray Singer]

Sengo Masaie attached. Not your guy.

 

Best regards,

Ray

[gustaf]

Very interesting and exceptionally fast result. Amazing group of folks here. This helps tremendously to understand the history of the sword. Not being and expert I can only assume the sword is from a Koto period and may have been a katana at one point. It is dimensionally correct for wakizashi although it is a bit long.

[Ray Singer]

Koto. It looks like the length is 24" or 60.9cm. This is and always has been katana. The photo is a bit blurry so please correct me if I'm mistaken.

 

Best regards,

Ray

[gustaf]

You are correct on the length. However, bohi extends past habaki and overall width and thickness of the blade is less than other katanas that I have. My first thought was an older modification of katana to wakizashi length but that's purely a guess.

[Ray Singer]

This was never a wakizashi however may be machiokuri and a longer katana at one point. The nakago mune also appears to be shaved back and I am not sure if what is left of the nakago jiri is original.

 

Best regards,

Ray

[Jean]

It is suriage IMHO. I feel the end of the hi should be above the habaki.

[gustaf]

I hope that does not negatively affects the blade. The overall sword has no appearance of a parts piece. Blade is fitted in custom gunto fittings with all indications of family blade being used by a relatively wealthy officer.

[Jim P]

Hi Gustaf, IMHO this is late Late-Muromachi, Sue Mihara is  a good call also have a look at Settsu Masaie as i think  he is a good chance have a look at a few of the Masaie,s from Hawley that should get you started

Masaiye    Yamato Daijo Fujiwara Masaiye    Harima        1615    15 MAS0251    1st generation Shinto. Mokume, gonome-midare, suguba.                
Masaiye    Fujiwara Masaiye    Harima                1572    15 MAS0250    1st generation Koto.    Mokume, masame, suguba, gonome-midare.                
Masaiye    Banshu Himeji ju Yamato Daijo Fujiwara Masaiye    Harima    1615    15 MAS0251    1st generation Shinto  Mokume, gonome-midare, suguba.                
Masaiye    Yamato no Kami Fujiwara Masaiye    Harima        1615    15 MAS0251    1st generation Shinto. Mokume, gonome-midare, suguba.                
Masaiye    Masaiye    Settsu                                1573    15 MAS0258    2 character signature.                    
Masaiye    (Bishu) Mihara ju Masaiye    Bingo            1532    15 MAS0244    Mokume, masame, suguba.                
Masaiye    (Bishu) Mihara ju Masaiye    Bingo            1573    80 MAS0245    Suguba, gonome-midare.