Need Help

[Ludolf Richter]

Hi,I got a pic of a Wakizashi,which I am probably going to purchase.The problem is that the tang has been shortened obviously a long time ago,so the Go is not longer to be seen.The first 2 Kanji make no sense to me,the 2nd might be a ill chiselled "hira".The first one doesn't match with anyone,I have tried.My hope is that with your help this name might lead me to one or a grop of swordsmiths.Ludolf

[John A Stuart]

Not sure of the first kanji, I think you have the second right. (牧?)平住, if the first is right it would be 牧平 Makihira, Makihei or Magidaira for examples. Do you know any smiths from a town named such? I am really unsure about the first kanji though. John

[Brian]

Is this pic distorted?

 

Brian

[Ludolf Richter]

It is not distorted.Ludolf

[Surfson]

I believe that it is Naminohira Ju.........

[Grey Doffin]

Hi Ludolf,

Definitely Naminohira Ju ... You can search my index, on the JSS/US website. Search for Naminohira, which will give you a match for those smiths who signed with Naminohira in their mei. Then you can check those smiths against whichever references you have and maybe you'll find a match.

Grey

[Nobody]

I cannot read the first kanji either.

But I guess the place name could be 抜平 (Nukihira?).

 

 

Edit: I withdraw my guess. It might be Naminohira as Grey said.

[Ludolf Richter]

Thank you experts for the "Naminohira"!There are a lot of swordsmiths from the Satsuma-Naminohira-School/Group in old Koto-times (Yasu--/Yuki--) with some big names like Yukiyasu.A few minor Shinto/Shinshinto-swordsmiths used that name too,although there was no longer a Naminohira-School.What is strange with this Mei is "ju",followed by a Kanji unlike Yasu or Yuki.The displayed upper part of the 4th Kanji could be from a "Fuji":Fujiwara.Till now I only found Mei with Naminohira,followed by the Go.I intend to look at all of them in the Nihonto Meikan and check your list,Grey.Ludolf

[Jacques]

Hi,

 

I think the third kanji does not read Ju 住 but Sumi 住, I can't decipher well the last one but it is possible the mei reads Naminohira Sumiyasu 浪平住安

[John A Stuart]

I think that may be just the case, Jacques. Sumiyasu on page 341 of the Toko Taikan does indeed sign this way. Of course the oshigata are so small in that book it is hard to compare, but, looks favourable. John

[Grey Doffin]

From Harry Watson's translation of Nihonto Koza, volume III, page 388. Naminohira Sumiyasu.

Grey

[Brian]

You guys are impressive

That looks pretty much perfect. Great job all.

 

Brian

[Ludolf Richter]

My thanks to Robert, Jacques, John and Grey!You got it. Now I hope to get the Wakizashi on the auction to come.Ludolf