Anyone recognize this signature?

[sneakerd]

They are the only markings on a very nice blade I picked up on epay recently.  It is now in the hands of J. Boomershine for a little touch up work.

[Mark]

looks like Mitsu Tada Ichi  (or Kazu)

[sneakerd]

Any intel on him?  It appears to be a very well done blade in pierced tsuba mounts.  Lovely file work.

[SAS]

I just had a look at his Facebook page and it appears he is doing nice work.

[reeder]

What’s up with the file work difference just under the Habaki vs rest of nakago?

[george trotter]

What’s up with the file work difference just under the Habaki vs rest of nakago?

Hi Brandon,

I don't think the file marks change just under the habaki, actually the first portion is just the 'rough' finish on the tang, with the kessho part of the file marks starting then with kiri (horizontal) yasuri.

The kessho is the very steep sujikai (slant).

This is a rare yasuri-kessho. I have it on a tang by Okishiba Yoshisada of Osaka, RJT.

Maybe this will help the owner ID his sword?

Regards,

 

PS, thought I'd add me...mei is katana mei. I'm not sure of the 'rules' about kessho, but in this case the 'slant' is the same when viewed, but is opposite in fact.

[sneakerd]

A few more pics.....

[george trotter]

Just saw this again and checked Japanese Sword index link for tang oshigata pics (in the links section above).

Looked up Tadakazu and there is your signature with the same file marks. Style of writing is a little more 'formal' but it says 'Mitsu Tadakazu saku'. No other ibfo, but at least yours isn't a 'one off'. It is more likely the name is Hikari Tadakazu as I have not heard of the surname Mitsu (of Hikari either for that matter but it is more likely)....but who knows.

Hope this helps (sort of).

 

http://japaneseswordindex.com/oshigata/tadakazu.jpg

[Death-Ace]

I remember that blade! It's a beautiful one. Even though the smith is not that well known, it appears that he made some beautiful blades. Great catch!