help with old sword

[mike13]

can anyone help me with finding the age and maker of this sword i just got it would like to know more about it also how to maintain it any info would help thanks

[Surfson]

It's a bit hard to make out the mei. It has more information, but the key information is Bizen Osafune Sukesada (I think - the actual mei at the bottom is hard to see). The date is Eisho three, which puts it at around 1507.

[mike13]

thanks for the info! a big help ,will try to take a better photo of it

[Jean]

1506

[Nobody]

I think I can see the following characters on the nakago.

 

Mei:

備前國住長舩彦兵衛尉祐定 (Bizen no kuni ju Osafune Hikobei no jo Sukesada) +something on the left

 

Date:

永正三年丙寅二月吉日 (Eisho 3-nen, Hinoe-Tora, 2-gatsu kichijitsu) – a lucky day of the 2nd month of 1506

[cabowen]

Can you post some photos of the blade?

[mike13]

here are some more photos of the blade

[cabowen]

Unlike most of the Bizen Sukesada/Kiyomitsu blades of the late Koto period that were mass produced and not thought highly of, this one, with the inclusion of the personal name, was most likely not mass produced and is a high quality blade that should be preserved and taken good care of. See the FAQ for care instructions. Congratulations on a fine acquisition.