Bizen Osafune Goro Zaemon jo (Kiyomitsu) (your review and opinions?)

[SammyT]

Hello,  I'm brand new to the forum and am very impressed with it thus far.  This is my first post and I wanted to see if someone can assist me.   

 

I am a WWII militaria collector and have come into possession of this Japanese sword.   Though I have a few WWII Japanese swords in my collection I am not very knowledgeable on them and by no means an expert.  I originally posted these pics on the WAF and it was referred to your forum as there were some signs that the blade might be made by or related to the swordsmith Bizen Osafune Goro Zaemon jo (Kiyomitsu).   The blade measures approximately 30.25 inches.   Attached are my pics of the sword along with a few posted by some colleagues as well as a link to my original WAF posting.      translation please - Wehrmacht-Awards.com Militaria Forums

 

I'm curious to get your thoughts and opinions on the blade and scabbard (forgive me for improper terms).    I'm happy to post additional pics at your directive.

 

Thanks.

 

 

Sammy T

Edited 14 hours ago by SammyT

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[Rivkin]

Pure guesses, but:

It is [very] late Muromachi. Could be Bizen. Its strange when a few kanji survive like this, the rest disappear. It might be associated with some extreme impact on nakago. It has quite a few ware, which would be a significant detriment for Bizen.

[Rawa]

Fire damage?

[Lewis B]

That would be my guess too

[John C]

The shape of the kissaki seems odd to me. Is that a feature of Bizen?

 

John C.

[klee]

Hi @SammyT

 

It has a beautiful Sue Bizen shape . Unfortunately it seems way too far gone. The date on the tang suggests Tenbun ( 1532-1555). Almost looks like a combination of fire and chemical damage the way the steel has eroded away.

 

With a single mekugi ana, it was probably once a beautiful blade that was well cared for

[SammyT]

Thank you all for your expertise and information.   I agree with everyone that the condition is not the best, taking into account the possible age and maybe maker of the blade would it be recommended for me to take some better pictures for review or is the consensus that the blade is too far gone to have any historical, collector or monetary value?    I guess I am unclear (as a non-knowledgeable newcomer) as to what my next step is.   

 

Also,  are there any swordsmiths in the eastern US?   I am not apposed to traveling and presenting the blade in person for inspection if there is some potential for this blade and it makes sense for me to do so.

 

 

Sammy T.

[klee]

I think the pictures are quite good.

 

You can use something called neverdull which is a polishing wad that will remove discoloration and light oxidation on blade in very bad condition like above. NEVER use any abrasives that removes metal.

 

If you find that that there is an intact hamon all throughout the blade then it certainly would be at least worth keeping but that massive loss of steel on either side of the mune above the habaki kills any sort of value and most likely the functional integrity of the blade