Possible Tachi Suriage?

[SwissK31]

Greetings, 

 

I recently purchased this nihonto through an auction in Japan via a local seller. This is actually my first nihonto, but I had the opportunity to learn a great deal during this process. I bought it as a set in Type 98 fittings, along with with shirasaya, tsunagi, etc. 

 

However, this blade confuses me. According to the Torokusho, the mei translates to Bizen Kuni Kanemtisu. If my research is right, it would supposedly date to the 14th century. I found that dubious, and I went forward assuming that it was likely a gimei- especially because the blade lacked NBTHK papers. However, what has sparked my interest is that it actually has a tachi-mei. Additionally, the hamon extends down the nakago past the machi, and the kissaki lacks a boshi. To my understanding, both may be signs of suriage. This leads me to wonder if perhaps this was originally a Koto tachi cut down to a Wakizashi. The blade is just under two Shaku (1 Shaku, 9 Sun, 3 Bu) I'll post all of the measurements and photos below. I'd love any feedback, and please advise if I can provide any more photos or information. Thank you!

 

Nagasa: 58.5 cm
Sori: 2.7 cm
Moto-haba: 2.95 cm
Saki-haba: 2.02 cm
Moto-gasane: 6.5 mm
Saki-gasane: 3.25 mm
Nakago: 13.2 cm

 

 

 

[Ray Singer]

The mei is indeed Bizen (no) kuni Kanemitsu and does appear to be gimei. A missing boshi is not indicative of suriage, it points towards a kissaki that has been damaged and reshaped over time.

[Robert S]

And also if it had been cut down from a tachi, the mei, if there were one, would be long gone.  It does appear to be suriage, but not necessarily o-suriage, which would be the case if this had been a tachi... unless more than just the original kissaki is missing.

[SwissK31]

Might be a stretch, but if we were to assume it is a gimei, then perhaps it was a gimei added after being cut down. Maybe by someone trying to attribute the original smith after the mei was lost.  Also, is there any merit in the fact that the hamon extends down the nakago? 

[Lexvdjagt]

It could very well be that the gimei was added after the blade was shortened. But it would be a stretch to think that it is some kind of attribution, more likely a simple gimei to sell the blade for more.