sorry but in my previous listing the pictures dissappeared

[gumanthon]

Hello, Is it possible that anyone can give me any information on the

pictures listed or transalation on them please.

I am sorry but in my previous listing the pictures dissappeared. So I have now listed it again. Thank you for your patience.

 

Thanks John

[reinhard]

This is kind of strange. Your previous thread about the same issue is still posted and all you have to do is re-uploading your pictures there. As I said: The mei probably reads:

 

Mutsu Aizu TO-SHI-RO

 

If the mei turns out to be genuine, the sword was made during early ShinTo-period in Iwashiro province.

 

reinhard

[gumanthon]

Hello Reinhard, Thank you again for the information I was pleased to receive. Is TO-SHI-RO

the name of the sword smith as I cannot find any information on this name. Also you say if the Mei terns out to be genuine....do you believe it looks doubtful. Thanks again regards John.

[Jacques]

Hi,

 

Tôshirô is a common name; there were some swordsmiths bearing this name. Few swordsmiths like Miyoshi Nagamichi included it in their signature.

[gumanthon]

Hi, Is that why I cannot find much information because nobody signed with this name or does it just mean it is not very good.Please forgive me if this sounds a bit silly only I am a novice Thanks Regards John.

[reinhard]

This particular mei is somewhat tricky indeed. Hawley mentions it one time as FUJISHIRO and and a second time as TOSHIRO (written with the same characters). In both cases, he is said to have signed MASANAGA earlier in his career. Obviously this is the same person and FUJISHIRO/TOSHIRO, although a common name as well, is supposed to be taken for his artist-name. This is in accordance with your sword. The nakago seems to be unshortened. The mei is complete and not part of a longer one cut off since. Unfortunately it seems to be very difficult to find any reference material for comparison. This is neither good nor bad. Maybe someone else comes up with more material on this subject.

 

reinhard

[gumanthon]

Hello Reinhard/Jacques

Thank you very much for taking the time to check out this information for me. Yes I would be very grateful if anybody can add any further information for me. I am a new member and fairly new to collecting Japanese swords. I enjoy very much reading the discussions on this forum and will gladly make a small donation via Paypal as requested by Brian.

Thanks again for the help

With Regards John.