Japanese Tanto?

[Kiipu]

Does anyone by chance recognize this tantō signature?  The first kanji character is currently unknown while the second character appears to be 廣 [hiro].

廣

Cross-reference to the WRF thread.

Japanese Tanto?

Edited October 1, 2021 by Kiipu

[Bugyotsuji]

Thomas, is there any more above the top Kanji? (The top left radical seems to be very slightly cut off in both photos.)

[Kiipu]

Attached is a picture of the overall view of the reverse side of the tang.

[Kiipu]

The eBay pictures are still available via the link below for those that would like to take a look.  I would not wait too long as they will be taken down at some point.

TANTO (sword) w/AIKUCHI KOSHIRAE

 

[Bencld]

I think AKIHIRO !

[saschneider]

If it's Akihiro that would mean it's very old, right? I'm a newbie and did purchase this blade.

[Kiipu]

Welcome aboard Andrew!  Below are the kanji characters for Akihiro that @Bencld suggested.

秋廣  = Akihiro.

 

You can go to the link below and do a search for this swordsmith(s).

Swordsmith Index

[ROKUJURO]

Andrew,

Welcome to the NMB forum!

I hope for you that this is not true: There are few cracks

[saschneider]

It's coming straight from Japan. The listing was a little confusing as it included photos of and references to a spear too. When I receive (supposedly Monday) I'll post photos too. I'm hoping what they mean is that there aren't any cracks. I couldn't see anything on the photos.

 

 

[Sansei]

As Brian says, "There are [a] Few Cracks" seems to be a standard "cover your butt" line in these listings. So, it's probably okay.

 

Hope it all works out for the best, Andrew.

[Sansei]

1 hour ago, Sansei said:

As Brian says, "There are [a] Few Cracks" seems to be a standard "cover your butt" line in these listings. So, it's probably okay.

 

Hope it all works out for the best, Andrew.

 

P.S. I once taught English-as-a-Second-Language to native Japanese speakers. The English articles (a, an) are difficult for them to learn.

[saschneider]

Arrived today as promised. Amazing to come all the way from Japan to Chicago in less than a week. 

 

I tried to take a decent photo. Not sure if this better than the eBay ones or not. No damage I could detect and it came wrapped in a pretty tattered piece of patterned silk (see background).

 

[saschneider]

I managed to get a magnifier on it too at a good resolution I think.