Translation Assistance + Identification

[Bob61]

Hello All

 

Will someone please help me with translating and identification information on this sword. Blade is signed on both sides. 

 

Thank you very much.

 

Dimensions are: Blade length overall is 51.2cm

                            Curvature of 13mm

 

Bob R

 

 

 

 

 

Edited March 19 by Bob61

[ROKUJURO]

Bob,

this is not a KEN but a sword with (rare) KOGARASUMARU shape ( https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kogarasu_Maru ). On the photos, I cannot see the KISSAKI ( = tip) very well. The blade length is not the overall length but it is measured from the notch above the NAKAGO ( = tang) to the tip.
The SORI is probably more than just 7 mm, guessing just after the photo. ( https://japaneseswordindex.com/measure.htm )

Unfortunately, I cannot help with the text on the NAKAGO. It does not look like typical MEI. Is there something written/chiseled on the other side as well?

[Bob61]

Hi Jean C

 

Thank you for your help. I have added a couple more photos. Yes, the blade is signed on both sides. Any other information would be greatly appreciated.

 

Thanks so much

 

Bob R

[xiayang]

Here's one side:

 

備前長船秋水子祐直六十二歲作 = made by Bizen Osafune Shūsuishi Sukenao at the age of 62

 

文政十三年正月三日 = on the third day of the first month of Bunsei 13 (1830 CE)

 

This is his entry in Markus Sesko's Swordsmiths of Japan:

 

Quote

SUKENAO (祐直), 1st gen., Bunka (文化, 1804-1818), Bizen – “Shūsuishi Sukenao” (秋水子祐直), “Bizen no Kuni Osafune-jū Yokoyama Sukenao saku” (備前国長船住横山祐直作), “Bizen no Kuni Osafune-jū Fujiwara Sukenao saku” (備前国長船住藤原祐直作), “Bizen no Kuni-jū Yokoyama Gengorō Sukenao” (備前国住横山源五郎祐直), “Yokoyama Shūsuishi Sukenao” (横山秋水子祐直), real name Yokoyama Gengorō (横山源五郎), gō Shūsuishi (秋水子), he was the younger brother of Sukehira (祐平), we know blades from the Bunka to the Kōka era (弘化, 1844-1848), he died on the sixth day of the tenth month Kaei one (嘉永, 1848) at the age of 80, itame, gunome with much chōji, suguha-hotsure, chūjō-saku

[ROKUJURO]

Hi Bob,

as the length (= NAGASA) is 51,2 cm, it is a WAKIZASHI. The OVERALL length remains 66 cm.

Although not 'really' old (= SHIN SHINTÔ), it looks like a nice piece which should be competently restored.

[SteveM]

Other side is 

潜龍 "Hidden Dragon"

源義制 佩劔   Owned/Worn by MINAMOTO Yoshinori.  

 

Hidden Dragon would be the name given to the sword. I think Minamoto Yoshinori was a hatamoto in the Tokugawa Bakufu Government. 

[Bob61]

Thank you to everyone for this very informative information and help.  I have also posted this to various groups on Facebook and am pleased to say it has generated quite a discussion! I truly appreciate everyone who has helped andj please join in on the conversation. I've learned alot but am also almost overwhelmed with all the information! It's been great!

 

Bob R

[Volker62]

wow a real Mei-to

 

swords with name are very very rare!

 

congrat's!