Possible "Hirokuni" mei

[katonk66]

Hello everyone. This was actually a risky purchase in the States, as the item was fairly inexpensive. It is a handachi koshirae katana. I know obviously, the nakago was shortened and the mune altered for some reason. The supposed Mei is "Hirokuni". Any ideas on the age of the blade? Thank you!

[French nihonto]

Very probably Gimei. and for the quality it is difficult to say with these photos. you say that the mune was altered? how is it altered?

[katonk66]

The blade is suriage and the machi-okuri. I'll post a series of separate pictures.

[katonk66]

[katonk66]

[katonk66]

[katonk66]

[ChrisW]

This blade was bought from Komonjo, the pictures at the top of this post are a giveaway. And while, rarely, he sells some nice things. A lot of his blades come from Japan for resale in a western market without papers which should tell you all you need to know.

[katonk66]

@ ChrisW. I just want to know how old the blade is, gimei or whatever.

[ChrisW]

Almost certainly gimei, here are a couple of Hirokuni examples:

https://www.samuraim...u-hozon-certificate/

https://www.samuraim...u-hozon-certificate/

 

Hirokuni worked in the late 1680's to early 1710's or so.

There is also a Mukansa that has the name of Hirokuni, but obviously he had nothing to do with this blade.

As for the age of this blade, what is the nagasa? It looks to be a cut down tachi at least. Probably early 1600's? Hard to tell as the patination doesn't look correct. Definitely machi-okuri but also suriage by a lot. The mei is a later addition in my opinion.

[katonk66]

Nagasa: 69.0 cm, or 27ish inches.