translation assistance

[simple]

according to my grandfather, this sword has been passed down through the family for well over 400 years. it's a wakizashi. my family says that back in the early 40's, the u.s. army searched their home and confiscated the longer sword, leaving only the wakizashi. i've been trying to figure out who it's made by but all of my Japanese friends say that the kanji used is really old school and hard to read. i'm hoping someone here can help.

[Stephen]

I think were all wondering if you cleand the area where the mei is? It reads Bizen Kunimitsu

please a full shot of the nakago in natural light so we can see the patina.

[Gunome]

Hello,

 

According to the rule of this forum, you should signed your post from you real name.

 

The mei (sign) of your wakizashi is BIZEN KUNI(?) MITSU

Is there other kanji on the mei (sign) or only 4 ?

 

Sebastien

[simple]

i think my grandfather cleaned the area around the mei some 30 years ago...its never really been looked at since. the only camera i have access to is really crappy...sorry for the poor quality.

 

a friend of mine said that she thought it was bizen kunimitsu also...but that the kanji for "kuni" doesn't look quite right and that it could be an alternate for "masa". those are the only 4 characters on the sword.

 

Neil Kondo

[simple]

here's another shot

[Stephen]

bit of a puzzle, the nakago and tsuba look like they may have had lacquer placed on them??? if you have access to a scanner I like to see it scanned ...maybe its the flash or your back light, color looks off on both.

[Gunome]

The shape of the nakago looks like Bizen's one. :D

[Jean]

first futatokoromono I have seen of this kind : Tsuba/nakago ....

[Jacques]

Hi,

 

It seems there is no Kunimitsu in Bizen.

[simple]

Yeah, definitely some sort of laquer or clear coat on there. My dad said my grandfather put it on to try and cover up some rust. I'll try scanning it later on tonight.

 

I did some searching for a Bizen Kunimitsu but couldn't find anything. Does anyone know of this swordmaker? Also searched for a Bizen Masamitsu because my friend suggested the 3rd character is an alternate character for "masa" and did find something that would date this sword close to how old my grandfather said it was. Any ideas?

 

Thank you everyone for your responses.

 

Neil Yuzo Kondo

[Stephen]

Hawleys has him from early 1400's to mid 1500's. Id ask a good togi about removing that paint job...its keep the rust (patina) from doing its job to date the sword and tsuba.

[outlier48]

Hi Neil - any chance you can also add clear pics of the tsuka, menuki and f&k? Thanks,

 

Charlie

[simple]

I'll try to take more pictures tonight. My dad is getting angry with me, saying that I shouldn't be handling the sword. I'll have to wait till he falls asleep.

 

Thank you everyone. I appreciate your help.

 

Neil Yuzo Kondo

[Stephen]

Id listen to your dad.