Weird nakago on Aoi Kashu tachi

[Gerry]

https://www.aoijapan.com/tachi：mumeiunsigned-kashu-ietsugu-around-the-oei-era-nbthk-hozon-token/

 

Aoi has a tachi listed as a Kashu Oei era blade per NBTHK.

 

However, am I the only one to find that this patch on the ura side of the nakago, showing what looks to be modern yasurime, a little odd? The rest of the blade does look koto to me.

 

 

Granted, osuriage nakago can have different yasurime, but this one looks really recent, in addition to the weird looking black rust around it. But, hey, NBTHK awarded it Hozon.

[ChrisW]

Could be the site of a crushed signature, whereby they then re-applied yasurime and artificial patina to match?

[Brian]

Yeah, I would also guess removed mei.