Is this a very faded signature or just my eyes playing tricks

[Trav4ever]

I had this newly acquired Wakizashi apart for some piling and noticed in the lighting faint markings. Moving the handle around under the light made it look like there is just hints of a signature. Unfortunately nothing I can make out to confirm it’s actually a signature or just unusual markings in the steel. What are your guys thoughts? This is my first sword and I am very much an amateur.

[Bugyotsuji]

Possibly Gimei, subsequently someone has erased the Mei.(?)

 

PS What is 'piling'?

[Trav4ever]

@Bugyotsuji my mistake. I meant oiling with choji oil. 

[ROKUJURO]

Travis,

welcome to the NMB forum!

If you cannot see exactly what it is while having it in hand, these not so sharp photos do not help much. As Piers stated, there might have been a signature, but as there seems to be a second (distorted?) MEKUGI-ANA farther down, I would not exclude a massive forging action on the NAKAGO that could have blurred or erased any chiseled KANJI characters. 

[Trav4ever]

@ROKUJURO I understand what you mean via the photos. I took about 30 photos at different angles under light and those are the best I could manage. It’s more noticeable to the naked eye, but still difficult to decipher if it’s an old signal or as @Bugyotsuji said may be Gimei that has possibly been hammered off. I’m still learning about Japanese swords as this is my first, but I’m greatly enjoying learning the subject and wish I’d gotten into it earlier. The Wakizashi was a gift and was bought at an antique store a couple months ago. Unfortunately it was not only neglected, but someone has obviously attempted to sand rust off the blade at one point which has left a lot of scratches.  It then re rusted over pretty bad. I bought a cleaning set for it and have been letting it soak a few minutes here and there with Choji oil. Also using powdered antler and gently wiping the blade down over and over a lot of rust and what appears to be build up old oil has come off and it’s much nicer looking now. The Hamon is visible on both sides however you have to have it under light to be able to really see it well enough to see what it used to look like. Regardless I’m pretty happy with the sword especially since I didn’t have to pay for it. The Tsuba on it is a dragon motif which I quite like. Especially after I was able to scratch away the massively built up rust that was also hiding a lot of detail. It was almost like an excavation on the Tsuba. Where it looked smooth was actually rust and grime filling in lines and pockets. After scraping those out and discovering what was underneath I’ve really become interested in collecting Tsuba now as well. 

[Trav4ever]

[ROKUJURO]

Travis,

it will be sad for you to hear, but this looks like a cast TSUBA with no collecting value. Do not be disappointed, there are many much better ones waiting for you out there! Looking at good TSUBA here on NMB, in books, and exhibitions will train your eyes soon so you can tell bad from good.

Cleaning off rust with antler: Using powdered antler is obviously a misunderstanding. What you need are pointed pieces like those on the photo I am attaching. You can also use bone, ivory, or even bamboo. Removing red rust is good, but it will not restore a blade. You will need the help of a traditionally trained sword polisher for that.  Do not attempt anything yourself!

If you find a way to show your sword to a NMB member near you or to some dealers on a sword show, you will probably get more information on it.  

[Bugyotsuji]

Just a small caveat to Jean's 'no collecting value'.

It may have little or no monetary value, but as a reference for examples of cast tsuba, if that is what it is, I would count it as a personally valuable object for the goodies drawer. Something to learn from everything that bubbles up!