Okay I have signature for translation

[bmoore1322]

I believe it is Bichu No Kami Tachibana Yoshihiro, from the Edo period, maybe around the 1600- 1700's , or so.

 

Please let me know what you think.

 

Brian

[Mark]

you have most right, i make it YASUhiro.

[bmoore1322]

So this should make it an traditionally made blade, right ?

 

Brian

[Grey Doffin]

yes.

Grey

[bmoore1322]

Okay, as i bought this last week, have been reading up, and from what i could tell that this smith did make traditional ( NIHONTO ) blades.

 

Every one says I should buy one, so I did, the person I bought it from thought it was an WW2 Era sword, as it does have the tsuka from the WW2 era on it, but with the original Tsuba.

 

So from the books, and online I have been reading this could have been a family blade taken into battle.

 

Brian

[Mark]

it would be good to have someone look at the blade. where are you located? the picture of the fittings gives the impression it may be "put together", there is the posibility the blade may have that name on the tang but not be made by that person. It could even be a WWII era blade made with an old name written on the tang. hard to say based on what we can see

[bmoore1322]

Okay, I guess i was just checking on the signature, thanks.

 

 

Brian

[bmoore1322]

@ Mark, I will be posting pics of the blade here soon, hopefully that will help.

 

Thanks

Brian

[Ed]

So, this could have been a family blade taken into battle.

Hate to be blunt but WTF !!

 

yes, however it could as well have been owned by a gay ronin who spent all his time on his knees, or any other story you would like to concoct.

 

Without some provenance there is no link to a family. Kirikomi, while evidence of a sword being cut could have been in a battle or related to the example above ie; Edo Gazzette Headline: c*ck sucking samurai attacks promiscuous lover.

 

Without provenance it is all speculation!!!

[cabowen]

Well, since all swords not issued by the military were privately owned, they were all "family" blades....Unless of coarse it was purchased privately explicitly for the war....Perhaps what you are getting at is that it is not a military issued blade...

 

Ed, you crack me up.....

[almeister]

Brian ,

Keep your chin up & fingers crossed !

Looking forward to seeing pics of blade .

Cheers

AlanK

almeister

[Ed]

Chris, thanks I'll be here all week.

 

Perhaps that is what he means, that it is not military issue. That quote just invokes an image of someone cruising e-bay for national treasures.

 

Trying to get the point across that not every blade was of great historical importance worthy of special recognition or the subject of poetry and folklore.

 

Like Chris said if not property of the government, didn't they all belong to someones family ?

 

All but a few were made for one purpose, killing. Be it on the battlefield or in a bar. Did every blade see the battlefield, who knows. Did every sword belong to an important family, no.

 

Bottom line this looks to be a legitimate nihonto from the mei, but the condition and it's desirability are yet to be seen. ???????

 

It is just a sword. If it turns out to be legit and free of flaws, enjoy it for what it is.

[Bruno]

I agree with Chris and Brian.

 

It is an older blade so not military, thus a "family" blade.

[bmoore1322]

Pics of the blade.

 

 

I forgot to mention that this is an wakizashi mounted in a full size Tsuka.

 

 

 

Brian

[leo]

This is most probably Settsu Yasuhiro 2. or 3. generation, appr. 1680- 1730

The school, especially the 1. generation is easily identified, as the blades generally show a prominent wide Bizen-Ichimonji style hamon. Typical is the Kiku mon on the side opposite the mei.

 

You will find plenty of info in books and the internet about the school. Depending on present condition, the blade may be worth a new polish.

 

Regards

[bmoore1322]

So this would be my first Nihonto, so do you think i did good with it, considering I only paid 1200.00 for it.

 

I'm really happy with the sword, and yes I plan on having it polished, and a new Saya , and also a SHIRASAYA also built it.

 

I really like that it has the Chrysanthemum stamping on it.

 

thanks

Brian

[cabowen]

before you polish consider the following:

 

-There are many fakes of smiths in this line. You would be wise to check the signature against known valid examples and get some experienced opinions.

 

-If it is determined that it is most likely a good signature, a proper polish, shirasaya, habaki, etc., will cost you close to $4000. If you can't afford to have it done by a professionally trained, qualified polisher, I would suggest selling some of your other items or to simply wait until you can afford to have it done by a qualified polisher. There are only 1-2 qualified polishers in the US. Your other option is to send it to Japan. I would strongly warn you against taking the apparently cheaper route and having it done by an amateur in the US. There are plenty of threads here which give plenty of reasons why this is a really bad idea.

 

-If you don't want to spend the kind of money to polish the sword in the manner it deserves, consider selling it or trading it to someone who will and use the profits to buy a sword already in polish.

 

Best of luck....

[bmoore1322]

I have no problem with paying to have a proper polish done to it, and having a shirasaya built for it, and I'm looking at Fred Lohman's site right now for the shirasaya.

 

The only two polishers i would even think about using here in the states are Jimmy Ayashi, or David Hofhine.

 

I'm a strong believer in doing things right the first time, as when you go cheap , that's what you get is cheap results, I will not go that cheap route, either do it right , or just leave it the way it is.

 

I plan on keeping this one a very long time.

 

Brian

[bmoore1322]

I found this sword signed by the same smith as my sword is, and has the same Chrysanthemum stamping on the other side of the tang also.

 

please let me know what you think of this, as I think helps verify the signature for my sword.

 

Brian

 

 

Link ;

 

http://www.sanmei.com/contents/media/K9305_W6623_E.htm

[Bruno]

Both mei are a bit different to me, not sure wether it is gimei or not.

 

What do you experts think?

[leo]

I had 2 papered Yasuhiro katana 1st gen. which I sold during the past years and both mei were a bit different.

Still it does not look gimei to me, so I guessed a later generation.

 

As Chris said, Yasuhiro 1st ist a first rate smith with a lot of copycats on his trail.

 

Also a signature alone means nothing! Without details of blade any kantei is useless.

 

Regards

[Bruno]

The only two polishers i would even think about using here in the states are Jimmy Ayashi, or David Hofhine.

 

I think Mr Ayashi would be a wise choice.

 

Without details of blade any kantei is useless.

 

Actually there are some photos of the blade which has been crudely cleaned. Not sure the blade can provides more infos.

[Brian]

That's Hayashi, not Ayashi.

Don't forget Bob Benson.

 

Brian

[nagamaki - Franco]

I have no problem with paying to have a proper polish done to it, and having a shirasaya built for it, and I'm looking at Fred Lohman's site right now for the shirasaya.The only two polishers i would even think about using here in the states are Jimmy Ayashi, or David Hofhine.

 

The first step when thinking about having a sword restored for the 1st time is familiarizing yourself with the process. When you contract a polisher to have your sword polished, he will be handling not only the polish, but also having the habaki and shirasaya made. The only exceptions to my knowledge are if the sword owner has discussed other arrangements ahead of time with the polisher which he approves. Contracting a third party on your own in the process will find you repeating steps in all likelyhood. As for Shigekazu 'Jimmy' Hayashi, he truely is an excellent polisher. Mr. Hofine is an amateur. The two should not be confused. Be prepared as Mr. Hayashi, generally has a long waiting period for his services. Another choice as mentioned here before is Takeo Seki, a fully trained Japanese polisher working out of BC Canada who also does exellent work.

[bmoore1322]

Okay, I did not know he would be making a new habaki and shirasaya, if that is the case then so be it, he would be the most logical choice, I have had others talk about him, but I do not have the link for him, could someone please provide it for me, so that I can be added to his waiting list.

 

thanks, and very much so appreciated.

 

Brian