The "other" Sword - 3 character mei plus saya kanji

[Ltrick]

I had a chance to look at the 2nd sword our family inherited today (it's actually my nephew's). I hadn't seen it in a couple of years and realized it's not quite as 'pristine' as I remembered it.

It has a 3 character mei and the blade has some strange imperfections in it.....maybe from when it was originally made.

Everyone was so helpful with the other one, I figured it only fitting to post pictures of this one....of course I haven't had time to research this mei either, the kanji painted on the saya, or on the paper taped to the saya.

I suppose this would be an example of what I've seen referred to as an NCO "cut-down" blade?

Here are the pics for this one: The actual color of the steel is mose accurate on the last one.

 

[cabowen]

The blade is signed Morishige saku 守重作　and has been shortened a bit. Looks to be a late koto (1500's) work. There was a line of Morishige smiths working in Buzen Takada during this period and that might be a good place to start looking.

 

The paper on the saya has the name of the former owner. The red writing is a number (690). Not sure what that signifies....

 

The lines in the steel are probably forging flaws.

 

Hope that helps...

 

Nice talking with you today, by the way.....

[k morita]

Hi,

The paper(#3 pic) on the saya says "Itoshima-gun (Itoshima county) XXXXXXXXXX" and owner's name "Katsuno(family name) Seiichi(1st name)". 糸島郡

 

Maybe Itoshima county is present-day Itoshima-city in Fukuoka prefecture,Kyushu.