please help me with a translation

[Swagman]

Good day, I recently bought this sword in an auction. It came without a saya and most of the tsuka wrap was missing. It did have good looking fuchi & kashira. When it arrived the tsuka was tight and rusted on. I'm sure that it had not been off for many years. Finally I got it off without damaging anything and was pleasantly surprised to see the signature. Just the problem now of reading it. Could someone please help.

[SteveM]

平安城住藤原國道

Heian-jō jū Fujiwara Kunimichi

 

It means "Kunimichi Fujiwara, resident of Heian Castle" made this. He wasn't actually residing in a castle. "Heian Castle" is just another name for the city of Kyōto. 

 

Any pictures of the actual blade itsel? The signature is nice, but I bet the blade is even nicer. 

[SteveM]

And, from one Steve to another, welcome to NMB. 

[Swagman]

I'll try to get some good pictures of the blade. it's well out of polish and does have some fine rust pitting, nothing that won't come out though. It is not at all tired either.

[Swagman]

Thanks Steve.

[Swagman]

Hope that these are clear.

[SteveM]

OK - yes, the current condition doesn't let us see much of the hamon, but I agree it seems to be in OK shape and would seemingly be a good candidate for a professional polish if it is a genuine Kunimichi. 

 

This would be the signature of Kunimichi (1st), working in the early-to-mid 1600s. This particular style of his signature would be from before 1614. However, some bits of the signature feel funny to me, so it could be a forged signature (of which there are many in the sword world). 

I'll dig around and see if I can find a Kunimichi using these same kanji for comparison. In any event, you should show it to someone who knows Japanese swords so they can advise you better. 

[Jussi Ekholm]

Here are two reference signatures for early Kunimichi mei but they are without Fujiwara, as I couldn't find one featuring both Heianjō & Fujiwara.

 

Note the style of Kuni that Kunimichi used.

[Swagman]

So it's looking like a faked signature. Well, I bought the sword without any idea what if anything was under the tsuka. I bought it because I liked it and will continue to. I probably will have it polished in the future and will be keeping it. So I'm content.

Thanks for your help and information. I have another sword that I also bought recently and will post pictures of the signature soon.

[SteveM]

Yes, if you got the sword for a good price, don't be discouraged. It could still be an interesting sword regardless of the signature. 

[Jussi Ekholm]

What Steve said above, I hope my above message didn't feel too blunt as I wrote that on my phone as I took the pics from books.