Does This Identify My Sword? I Can't Read Japanese.

[Chihara]

My husband and I would like to show this sword, but we don't know anything about it.  Before we take the paper off the hilt we would like to know what it says, and if it identifies the sword .  

Thanks for any help!

[uwe]

One column reads “Nobukuni” (name of the blacksmith). One other mention “old sword” or something like that.

Too tired for the rest ????

[Peter Bleed]

Looks like  this says that this "tanto" was made by NOBUKUNI and is a middle Old sword, which might mean something like the 1400s. The specic dating cycle mentioned looks like Eikyo or 1430s

P

[Geraint]

Dear Carol.

 

For best results push out the pin that holds the blade into the hilt and carefully remove the blade.  If it is signed then that will be where we need to start.  Even if there is no signature a clear photo of the whole of the blade will help.

 

Looking forward to seeing it.

 

All the best.

[ROKUJURO]

...and please show any photo with the tip up, otherwise it is difficult to read!

To show the tang of the blade, you need not take the paper off the handle.

[Grey Doffin]

Hi Carol,

Here is a care & etiquette site; you would be smart to read it before you attempt to take off the handle.

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

Grey

[Chihara]

Thank you all! 

Given how important caring for the sword seems to be, I would like to find an expert nearby to remove it from the handle and properly clean and identify it etc.  (I got the pin out (according to the instructions on the "care and etiquette" site )- but could not make the blade come out and I did not want to damage it trying). Does anyone know of someone (place) near to West Los Angles who could reliably help me? 

Carol

[16k]

Put a piece of wood on the handle near the piece of metal that holds the blade and gently tap the wood piece with a small hammer. You shouldn’t harm anything that way.

[Surfson]

I think that you should seek help to remove the blade.  You can damage the blade, cut yourself badly, or both.   Just a guess, since I don't think that it explicitly states this, but maybe the writing is suggesting that this is an Oei period Nobukuni, meaning one of the later generations that worked in the early 1400s.  

[Surfson]

After flipping one of the photos, I see that it states Eikyo, or 1429.  

[Surfson]

Ooops, I see that Peter already got that one!