Wakizashi (Maybe) 19 Inches Long. Old Signature Unknown.

[gustaf]

I’m not certain what I have here. It came via estate auction in reasonably good shape. Blade is clear with no nicks or openings. Just some aging. Signature appears to be old and I am stumped on the translation. Total blade length is 19” which makes is a Wakizashi? What is it and would it be worth restoring?

[Bencld]

Hi there.

 

something something kami kuni sada. Someone will be able to fill in the rest for you.

 

Chris D.

[Ray Singer]

Kawachi (no) kami Kunisuke

[gustaf]

Amazing. Thank you for a lightning quick reply.

[PNSSHOGUN]

Kunisuke the First & Second are well regarded smiths. I have a Katana By Kunitsugu who was the pupil of Kunisuke I and teacher of Kunisuke II.

[Bencld]

Carl. Apologies for leading you down the garden path but I thought I would give it a shot just on memory. Alas it is not as good as I thought.   

[ROKUJURO]

Carl,

blade length is about 14" so it is indeed a HIRA-ZUKURI WAKIZASHI. The photos are not good (well focused) enough to say much about the condition of the blade. What you call "Just some aging" is in fact considerable corrosion, especially on the YAKIBA. At one time, somebody tried to remove the rust with sandpaper.  

If the MEI is authentic, it is an early EDO period blade with a good potential for a polish. Please compare with the many samples of the KUNISUKE smiths that are available online.

[gustaf]

I am grateful for all the input and no apologies are necessary. This is the most knowledgeable and responsive group of collectors that I ever found. I always learn so much from these interactions.