Signature question, katana

[rodeocb34]

Any experts out there have an idea about this signature? May be too hard to read given the corrosion. Grateful for any insight though. Any information, really, based on what's observed. Thanks!

[nulldevice]

以南蛮鐵越前康繼

 

The first kanji are a bit hard to make out but based on what I can see this is likely it. 

 

Motte Nanban Tetsu Echizen Yasutsugu

 

Echizen Yasutsugu is a very famous smith lineage from the late 1500s to 1600s who used "nanban tetsu" barbarian steel to make swords. 

[PNSSHOGUN]

If you can provide pictures of the full sword and mounts it would be appreciated. Whereabouts in Australia are you located?

[Bugyotsuji]

Declarations like this of proud usage of Namban Tetsu tend to occur in a window of around 1600-1700.

[2devnul]

7 hours ago, Bugyotsuji said:

Namban Tetsu tend to occur in a window of around 1600-1700.

 

Hi, my thoughts exactly, Koto (1500s) swords don't find Nanban smithing IMO. 

8 hours ago, nulldevice said:

Echizen Yasutsugu is a very famous smith lineage from the late 1500s to 1600s who used "nanban tetsu" barbarian steel to make swords. 

Are you sure? Again, 1600s up is what I thought Nanban-tetsu. 

[PNSSHOGUN]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nanban_trade

 

 

[nulldevice]

1 hour ago, 2devnul said:

 

Hi, my thoughts exactly, Koto (1500s) swords don't find Nanban smithing IMO. 

Are you sure? Again, 1600s up is what I thought Nanban-tetsu. 

I just pulled up the dates for the shodai Yasutsugu who signed with Nanban Tetsu and who’s active period starts in 1594 and continues into the 1600s followed by later generations who also signed that way and also used the Aoi Mon.

[2devnul]

1 minute ago, PNSSHOGUN said:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nanban_trade

 

 

John, I know the history, it is just that per my knowledge we don't see reference to European steel in signatures until Shinto swords. Am I wrong? 

[2devnul]

Just now, nulldevice said:

period starts in 1594 and continues into the 1600s

That makes more sense, thanks! 

[ROKUJURO]

Again, this belongs into the TRANSLATION section.

[PNSSHOGUN]

There was supposed to be more in that reply, but Shodai Yasutsugu was a very much a Keicho era smith and Nanban Tetsu has a broad meaning not just limited to Dutch or Portugese trade. 

[robinalexander]

Hi Calvin @rodeocb34

 

It would be great if you could ask whoever is responsible for that sword to please get some oil on the blade as an interim measure to look after it.

  

That is active rust if I'm not mistaken. It's slowly dying.

Rob

[Jacques]

At first glance, it looks like the Echizen sandai Yasutsugu, but I can't be sure about the authenticity of the mei, the photo is too blurry.

Edited June 30 by Jacques