New To Japanese Swords, Need Help With Translating And Dating The Blade

[Jamest]

Good evening all, 

 

This is my first post here and I need your help. 
 

I inherited two Japanese swords from my Grandfather about 18 years ago and they've been sat in my house the entire time. I always admired them when I was a lot younger and asked lots of questions about them. I actually took them both onto the Antiques Roadshow when they came to Durham but apart from telling me they looked like nice examples, I didn't get much more information because the hilt had never been removed to reveal inscriptions on the tang (sp?). 

 

I've been wanting to know more about these blades for years and hopefully you can help shed some light on them. I believe one of them, was received from a Japanese officer as part of a surrender at the end of the Second World War. 

Anyway, images are below and any help would be great. 

 

The first two pictures are from blade one. It has one inscription on one side of the tang and what looks like a stamp at the bottom of the tang. The inscription is a lot clearer. 

 

The latter two are from blade two. The inscriptions are much harder to see, the tang is more rusted and it has an inscription on both sides of the tang. 

 

Any help would be greatly appreciated. Please forgive any ignorance or lack of knowledge - I'm very much a newbie to all this.

 

Best,

James

 

[Ray Singer]

Hi James,

The first appears to be a Seki WWII era blade by Kanetoshi (with a Seki stamp indicating that it is not traditionally made) . The second appears to be an early Muromachi blade by Bishu Osafune Hidekage with an Eikyō date (circa 1429). The Bizen Hidekage is suriage (slightly shortened).

Best regards,
Ray

[Frank B]

I'm interested to see the blade of the Hidekage. 

[Jamest]

Thanks guys, that's very helpful. I'll take some pictures of the blades and get them uploaded as soon as I'm back in from work. 

 

Circa 1429!? That is extremely cool!

 

Best,
James

[Jamest]

OK, I have uploaded two more photos of the blade of the second sword (the potential 1429 era blade). 

There are some marks / stains towards the bottom end of the blade that have not come out in the photograph (I'll take more photos to show that) but the sword has not been handled (as in fingers or hands on the blade) in the last 18 years. No idea if it was handled before that, or between 1945 and the first time I ever saw it in the early 90s. I know it was certainly not something we were allowed to pick up or touch! 

 

I'd love to find out more about the sword maker and the era if anyone has any pointers regarding where to look for more info, or if you have some information yourselves. 

 

Best,

James

 

 

[Ray Singer]

Information on Bizen Hidekage here.

http://www.sho-shin.com/OEI4.htm

 

Also very important info on how to care for your sword.

http://www.nbthk-ab.org/Etiquette.htm

[Jamest]

Thank you again, Ray. Very helpful!

 

I'd be a bit hesitant to try cleaning the blade myself as I don't want to damage it. I'll see if there's anyone who might be able to do that for me at the Leeds armoury. 

 

Would it be sensible to insure the blades, the older one in particular? 

[Ray Singer]

My pleasure James, we have a number of members located in the UK here in our discussion group. I'm sure some would be happy to help you with an initial cleaning and maintenance, along with an assessment of potential value after in hand inspection.

 

Best regards,

Ray