WW2 Japanese sword

[Swords]

I translated this on my photo and it came back as  
 

Born in Hasebe, Ueno Province

 

Any record of this smith? Maybe Traditional Can’t tell for sure 

 

 

 

[John C]

Steve:

The date is Ansei 2 (1855) so probably traditionally made.

 

John C.

[John C]

Also, I think the province is Kozuke (Joshu).

 

John C.

[Swords]

Thanks John I was going by the translation I took a picture and did a search and walla that pops up I am  surprised it didn’t show the smith 

The hamon looks a little weird maybe it the lighting 

[Rawa]

@Swords you should buy some physical silver too

[Swords]

I should sell my swords and buy some gold before i croak rather than having my kids deal with it

 

 

 

 

[Swords]

Any one out there know the name  of the smith

[Ray Singer]

2 minutes ago, Swords said:

Any one out there know the name  of the smith

Yoshishige. 

[Swords]

Thanks Ray

[Swords]

The hamon tempering looks like it stops near the kissaki with no boshi?

[Ray Singer]

I am seeing exactly the opposite. One side appears to be ichimai-boshi. If you have access to a better primer like the Connoisseur's Book of Japanese Swords, you will see an example of this. 

[Swords]

Interesting I do have that book and will take a look at it 

 

 

thanks 

[Swords]

Any thing wrong with the sword

[Swords]

Thanks Ray You’re right I was looking at it wrong It has a huge boshi He wants 1600 but i guess an older sword in nice condition would be worth more 

 

 

 

 

[Swords]

I researched information about this Smith Hopefully it’s a match.                                            

[Rawa]

18 minutes ago, Swords said:

I researched information about this Smith Hopefully it’s a match.                                            

Steven. I hope you don’t estimate value of possible purchase comparing prices from samurai museum. They went greedy in last years.

[Swords]

Not estimating price just trying to find the description of my sword I think it’s the right era and description for this particular sword        Of course I may be wrong that’s why I’m posting it to get other opinions Thanks for for your comments 

[Ray Singer]

The mei is 義重 not 嘉重. AI search is not a good tool for researching Japanese swordsmiths. These tools will hallucinate and give you the information that they think you want (correct or not). I would recommend Markus Sesko's swordsmith compendium for researching swordsmith bios. 

 

https://www.lulu.com/shop/markus-sesko/e-swordsmiths-of-Japan/ebook/product-1zk9mrzq.html?page=1&pageSize=4

[Swords]

23 minutes ago, Ray Singer said:

Markus Sesko's sword-smith compendium for researching swordsmith bios. 

Ray is this a book it’s 89.00 

[Brian]

@Markus
If you contact him directly, I am sure he will be able to sort you at at a good deal for the eBook. he runs frequent specials, and his books are a must have.

[Swords]

Good to know thanks Brian

[Swords]

Is this the book? I saw this book online 89.00

Amazon is cheaper than online and paper back is cheaper 

[eternal_newbie]

8 minutes ago, Swords said:

Is this the book? I saw this book online 89.00

 

No, that's a book with general information about Japanese swords. You want "Swordsmiths of Japan". It is an eBook at $89.90, yes - but the printed versions are even more expensive as it's large enough to be split into 3 volumes (over 1400 pages in total):

https://www.lulu.com/shop/markus-sesko/swordsmiths-of-Japan-aki-kuni-intl/hardcover/product-1kmvpddw.html?page=1&pageSize=4

https://www.lulu.com/shop/markus-sesko/swordsmiths-of-Japan-kura-sane-intl/hardcover/product-1z4mprzm.html?page=1&pageSize=4

https://www.lulu.com/shop/markus-sesko/swordsmiths-of-Japan-sato-zen-intl/hardcover/product-19k5g8wv.html?page=1&pageSize=4

[Rawa]

5 minutes ago, Swords said:

Is this the book? I saw this book online 89.00

Amazon is cheaper than online and paper back is cheaper 

It’s encyclopedia not an index of swordsmiths and good buy.

Edited December 26, 2025 by Rawa

[Scogg]

 

3 minutes ago, eternal_newbie said:

 

No, that's a book with general information about Japanese swords. You want "Swordsmiths of Japan". It is an eBook at $89.90, yes - but the printed versions are even more expensive as it's large enough to be split into 3 volumes:

https://www.lulu.com/shop/markus-sesko/swordsmiths-of-Japan-aki-kuni-intl/hardcover/product-1kmvpddw.html?page=1&pageSize=4

https://www.lulu.com/shop/markus-sesko/swordsmiths-of-Japan-kura-sane-intl/hardcover/product-1z4mprzm.html?page=1&pageSize=4

https://www.lulu.com/shop/markus-sesko/swordsmiths-of-Japan-sato-zen-intl/hardcover/product-19k5g8wv.html?page=1&pageSize=4

These links to the hard copy books are great, and I prefer hard-copy material myself.

That being said, the Ebook is awesome for it's accessibility. It's very convenient to be able to type in keywords. The link for the ebook (containing the material of all three hardcover books) is below:

https://www.lulu.com/shop/markus-sesko/e-swordsmiths-of-Japan/ebook/product-22166224.html?srsltid=AfmBOoqeQBaThZ2o0X085aNFYw5Y1q5GldfPJ53UVvmFiQ0_z2vRxLxn&page=1&pageSize=4

[eternal_newbie]

Agreed, not only is the eBook easy to search through, but it's much easier to carry around to sword shows and meetings on a laptop, tablet or eReader than it is to lug around all 3 hard copies!

[Swords]

I’m having a dang hard time contacting this guy When I click the bottom Only the description pops up

Is there a direct email I can use?

[eternal_newbie]

51 minutes ago, Swords said:

Is there a direct email I can use?

Here: https://markussesko.com/services-fees/

[Swords]

Sent him a Gmail message Will see if he responds 

 

Thanks everybody 

 

 

 

 

 

Steve 

[Swords]

Is this the correct book it’s 59.00