Please help Wakizashi identification

[Steven6]

Greetings,

 

My name is Steven Sinclair. 
 

At an early age my dad inspired a love in me for Japanese art. I have since passed this onto my son as well.

 

My father was a collector of this type of art and I have always admired his collection. 
 

Recently, after being in the hospital for several months, he passed away.

 

In going through his things with my mother we discovered this Wakizashi.

 

I do not consider myself an expert by any stretch of the imagination, but I believe this piece to be of some significance. 
 

My father was not the most organized so if this came with any type of origami it is most likely lost. 
 

I have reached out to several websites asking their opinion on its authenticity, but have not received any replies as of yet. 
 

If you have some free time could you please review the attached pictures and let me know your opinion on whether this piece is authentic or not? 
 

If you do believe it is authentic I would

also like to know how to start the process of getting it certified through the NBTHK and if it is possible to do here in the states as opposed to sending it overseas? 
 

Would it also be possible for me to have the blade reattached to its original home as well as be restored in the process? 
 

Thanks for any help you can offer in this. 
 

Steven

[Steven6]

[Steven6]

[Steven6]

[Steven6]

[Steven6]

[Steven6]

[Robert S]

I believe it is indeed authentic, but I'll leave the more precise analysis to the experts on this forum.

[nulldevice]

備州長船__景

 

Bishu Osafune ___ kage?

[Nobody]

備州長舩幸景 – Bishu Osafune Yukikage

Ref. Swordsmith Index | Nihonto Club

 

Your sword may be a tanto. What is the blade length?

[Rivkin]

On the road, so out of my books.

The most important photograph is missing - overall blade. No pointing in the air, just lying down and carefully photographed making sure everything is visible.

Measurement of kasane would help, just in case.

It seems to have little sori, which might suggest its 1350-1421 kind of ish, it has a chance to be shoshin I think.

I will even add my gut feeling its a strong chance to be shoshin.

If it is, its actually a valuable blade.

 

[SteveM]

I don't think NBTHK holds regular appraisal sessions in the US anymore. So their appraisals have to be done in Japan, unless they announce a special US session. 

And there is now a limit on the number of submissions that the NBTHK will accept for each session, so the submissions have to go through a kind of lottery process to get accepted. Basically the submission process is

 

1. Submit your item to a broker in Japan two months prior to the beginning of the appraisal submission process.

2. Have your broker register the sword in Japan. (i.e. Get the sword licensed so it can be submitted for authentication). 

3. Have your broker apply for a spot in the appraisal session (sessions are held a few times a year). 

4. Make an application to the NBTHK to get your sword appraised. If accepted, have your broker submit the item for appraisal.

5.  Wait for results of the appraisal (takes about two-three months, nowadays). 

 

The next appraisal session for swords in the Hozon/Tokubetesu Hozon category (which is what your sword would qualify for), is in September, so its already a bit too late to start the process for that. The one after September is November. 

There are a few agents who can act as broker. Robert Hughes at Keichodo comes to mind, but there are others. 

 

There is another organization, the similarly-named NTHK, and they do appraisals in the US from time-to-time. That might be of interest to you, since it potentially involves less legwork and less risk. 

 

Regarding restoration, your agent should be able to handle that process as well. Usually it involves several craftsmen in Japan. It can be done in the US as well, but I wouldn't put the cart in front of the horse just yet. 

 

Regarding having the item "reattached" to its original home - that is a bit cryptic. Are you talking about returning it to its ancestral owners? If so, it would be impossible unless you have some paperwork that goes with the sword. Without any paperwork, there is no way to trace the original owners. Even with a name (as sometimes these war souvenirs have name tags on them) it can be difficult to sort out who the owner was, and whether or not his descendants are still around, and if they are interested in having an item like this returned to them. 

[Steven6]

Everyone,

 

Appreciate the comments.

 

When I mentioned reattaching it to its original home, I was referring to having restoration work done on the  ‘scabbard’ and then having the blade remounted to the original ‘handle’ (sorry I don’t know the proper terms for these pieces).

 

I have not yet been through all my father’s folders and different locations where he would store something like this, but I am hoping I can locate some type of certification. I highly doubt he would have purchased something like this without some type of form or certificate assuring its age/authenticity.

 

I measured it (blade length is 12in) so I believe it’s a tanto and not Wakizashi.
 

I have attached two more images of both sides of the blade. As far as I can tell the blade is free from any major marks or discoloration.

 

I appreciate all the replies to my post. 
 

The process of getting this certified (if I can’t locate this in my father’s belongings) seems like a lot. I would be hesitant to ship this overseas as it is one of the only things I have left to remember my father by. If I can’t locate some form detailing authenticity, does anyone have someone who is trustworthy and that they have used before to get a sword certified?

 

Thanks,

Steven

[Steven6]

[Steven6]

I looked the blade over thoroughly and there are no major scuffs or discolorations over the entire blade. 
 

There is this extremely small mark that I have attached a picture of. The mark is about the size of a mark that a ball point pen would leave if pressed down on a piece of paper. Also, in one of the above pictures there are two really small marks towards the top portion of the blade (viewable if you zoom in).
 

I have attached a picture of the main mark on the blade.
 

Another poster mentioned the word “Shoshin.” I was curious as to what this means.

 

Thanks for help and opinions,

Steven

 

[Brian]

Steven,
There is no need to have the sword authenticated if all you want to know is whether it's genuine or not. It is. 100% Japanese antique tanto, a few 100 years old.
Now as far as the signature is concerned, fake signatures were very common throughout the history of Japanese swords. It's thought there may be more false signatures than real ones out there. However that doesn't make a sword fake...just sometimes not by the person on the signature. Shoshin means genuine signature. However either way, the signature doesn't tell anything about the quality...you get fake signatures on any quality of sword. 
So the only reason to submit for papers would be to get the signature verified or not. But you don't need to do that expensive exercise if you just want to know if it's real or not. It is.
Nice piece, especially being in shirasaya with the fittings separately. You can remount it in the fittings anytime in seconds. But it's best left in the resting scabbard with the fittings displayed with it.
It's a nice item, doesn't need anything done to it at this point.

[Lewis B]

Very nice looking blade and a great memory of your father. I would also say it's a tanto. 

 

The only picture missing is of the complete sword preferably against a dark background, without the habaki (metal collar). 

 

Does it have a pointed or flat spine (3 facets)? 

[Jussi Ekholm]

Looks like a very nice item. I think there is high chance the signature is also legitimate and I would think it would be from early 1400's.

 

Here is 1423 dated tachi for a reference.

 

 

Here is a katana that is judged from late 1300's to early 1400's

https://www.kusanaginosya.com/SHOP/88.html

 

And here is a 1459 dated katana for reference.

https://www.aoijapan.net/katana-bishu-osafune-yukikage-with-imperial-army-honor-guard-style-koshirae/

[pineapple42]

Hi Steven,

 

I think you should keep the blade as is, and look into ways to prevent it from rusting. I wipe mine with 99% isopropyl alcohol to clean up the old oil, wipe it dry then apply a thin layer of Singer sewing maching oil on the entire blade except for the tang and wipe off the excess, and do that every 2 to 3 months. You can find other methods on this site or YouTube that works better.

 

Enjoy the blade.