Identification of sword and Tsuba

[chimera]

Hello everyone, my name is Ian. Nice place you have here.

 

I received this sword from my grandfather a few years ago. From what I was told he bought it shortly after the war. I know very little about it, and even less about Japanese swords. The snaps tell me it's fairly modern, but I don't believe the Tsuba is original to the sword. It's been siting on a shelf collecting dust for too long, and I've been considering finding someone who can better appreciate it. To that end, anything you can tell about it would be very helpful.

 

[John A Stuart]

This is a sword by Yoshihiro 吉廣. I'm not sure which one. John

The tsuba is an Umetada school early Edo period. Shige ? I think Shigenaga because his name was Hikoemon 彦右衛門, supposedly Umetada Myochin's son. ???

[Grey Doffin]

Hi, name please,

The blade is signed "Nobukuni Yoshihiro Saku" (made by Nobukuni Yoshihiro). I have no reference that tells me who or when Yoshihiro was. I like the mounts; could be a very nice sword.

Here is a link to a sword care and etiquette site: http://www.nbthk-ab.org/Etiquette.htm You should read it so you know what to do and not to do.

Cheers, Grey

[Ted Tenold]

The Nobukuni smiths of Chikuzen province in Shinto and Shinshinto periods signed this way with Yoshi as a common first character, but there's nothing on a Yoshihiro in their lineages. That said, the nakago looks altered and the mei suspiciously new and out of context for the character of that school's style so I'd doubt it's an undocumented smith. I think any merits the blade may contain as a restorable piece will depend in it's work which isn't visible in the images. The shape looks older than Shinto to me. Maybe a late Muromachi piece that's been fussed with for whatever reason.

 

The tsuba is signed Umetada Shichizaemon Tachibana Shigeyoshi Saku.

[chimera]

Thanks, I really appreciate it! It's really great to finally learn something about it. I'm afraid no matter the origin it wouldn't make a restorable piece. You can't see it in the pictures, but It seems some one used the back of the blade as a hammer at some point. I'm getting the impression that not many of these parts are original to the blade, but that doesn't seem to be uncommon.

 

Here's the best picture I could get of the blade, for what it's worth.

 

[george trotter]

The tsuba seems to be Umetada group. It is signed (I think) UMETADA SHICHISAEMON ? SHIGEYOSHI (also pronounced JUZUI). Mid Edo period, lived Nara.

I think this looks good...there is a lot on him in in TOSHO KINKO JITEN by Wakayama 1984 page 255.

I think the sword and fittings show promise....worth researching...but you'll have to get the help of a fittings guy as I am a novice.

Regards,

George.

Oh, I see Ted has answered this already.

[Jean]

At a glance, without any mei the suguta makes me thing of a sue Muromachi Mino shobu zukuri blade

[Jacques]

Hi,

 

Tsuba mei reads Umetada Shichizaemon tachibana Shigeyoshi saku 埋忠七左衛門橘重義作.

[chimera]

Wonderful information gentlemen. Thanks again.

 

It was very difficult to get pictures of the blade showing any detail, but here are a few, and the unfortunate damage.