Help please

[Flintlock]

Hello

I hope someone can help please. I know nothing about Japanese swords but have inherited a katana from my brother which I intend to keep. 
There are a number of characters on the tang and I thing one is Hiroyoshi? The others I have no clue so would appreciate some help please. 
Would anyone know the date of the sword please?

In the attached photos the rightmost fits on top of the middle which fits on top of the first in a straight line down the tang. 
Any comment would be gratefully received. 
Many thanks

Sion

[Bugyotsuji]

Hi Sion,

Look at this page about Hakushu Ju Jin Hiroga/Hiroyoshi

https://www.google.co.jp/search?q=伯州住人廣賀作&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&hl=ja-jp&client=safari

[Nobody]

伯州住人廣賀作 – Hakushu junin Hiroyoshi saku (made by Hiroyoshi in Hakushu)

 

Ref. https://books.google.co.jp/books?id=FH-kQpaGpl0C&pg=PA81&lpg=PA81&dq=%E4%BC%AF%E5%B7%9E%E4%BD%8F%E4%BA%BA%E5%BB%A3%E8%B3%80%E4%BD%9C&source=bl&ots=gL1dQ1S4JH&sig=ACfU3U1WbMLG4TLO7sc-JMNIDHigz_cFRQ&hl=ja&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjrgJyf3t3oAhUbUd4KHS6XCwY4FBDoATACegQIDBAr#v=onepage&q=%E4%BC%AF%E5%B7%9E%E4%BD%8F%E4%BA%BA%E5%BB%A3%E8%B3%80%E4%BD%9C&f=false

[Grey Doffin]

Hello,

Here is a care and handling brochure you should read.

http://nbthk-ab.org/cleaning-maintenance.html

Grey

[Flintlock]

Hi Bugyotsuji

Thanks for your reply, but unfortunately I don’t understand any Japanese and therefore in my ignorance I can’t understand what you’re showing me. My concerns are 1. Is the inscription on the hilt genuine 2. What do the characters say in English 3. Any idea of the year of manufacture and 4. How good is the swordsmith. 
Thanks again and I apologise for my ignorance 

Sion

[Geraint]

Dear John.

 

As Moriyama san said, the name of the smith is Hiroyoshi, followed by saku which means made.  Hakushu is the place where he made it, so roughly, "Hakushu resident Hiroyoshi made this."  Stick with it, it gets easier gradually!

 

There were several generations so a date would be approximate, and of course there is always the possibility of the signature being a fake or gimei.    Some more photographs of the whole blade at right angles to it would help as the shape can indicate age.  There were smiths of this name working from about 1500 to 1600s.  Fascinating, isn't it?

 

All the best.

[Flintlock]

Thanks Nobody, Grey Doffin and Geraint for your replies much appreciated. 
Geraint I’ve included two more photos, hope these help. 
From my search of the web the blade shape looks to be early edo, but what do I know!!!!!!
Thanks again all

[Bugyotsuji]

‘Nobody’ above has kindly provided an English translation. Year of manufacture will be in the links I provided.

[Geraint]

Dear John.

 

If you go to your profile you can auto add your name to your posts as we all do.  I really like the sword, sweet koshirae (Mountings) as well.  These smiths started in the Koto period but I agree this looks Shinto so probably your best guess is the Hiroyoshi whose work period is around 1684.  This lockdown is a pain but when it passes there are members here who would be happy to look at it for you and tell you what they can, depending on where in the UK you are.

 

If you are not already a member of the Token Society of Great Britain and/or the Northern Token Society then look them up.  Cornwall is closed to holiday makers at the moment but if you ever get down this far let me know.

 

All the best.

[Flintlock]

Hi Geraint

thanks for your reply. I live in West Wales which is closed as well. We often spend time in Cornwall. Where are you near?

[Ken-Hawaii]

Sion, the vast majority of Japanese blades are gimei, or false, so unless you send yours to a panel of experts, called shinsa, for a professional evaluation, you can  also assume yours is giimei, Shinsa teams award kanteisho, or papers of authenticity, for blades that are judged as shoshin, or authentic.

 

Please go into your Profile, & add your first name, so each of your posts automaticaly shows it. Otherwise, we don't know how to address you.