help with new sword acquisition

[michael leone]

just picked up this short japanese sword, has a black lacqured scabbard, nice menukis, and interesting tsuba. can anyone tell me about the period this may have been made? i have enclosed some pics of the sword so please look and weigh in, i would greatly appreciate your help, advice as i collect mainly german, and berlin olympic items. thank you for your time,, regards,,mike

[michael leone]

pic two

here is a nother pic

[michael leone]

pic 3

here is a close up of the crossgaurd

[michael leone]

another pic

another view of the reverse of the crossgaurd

[michael leone]

another pic

pic of grip

[michael leone]

another pic

other side of crossgaurd

[Bob Coleman]

Michael-
Your sword mounting appears to be early to mid 19th century. As to the blade, unfortunately little can be told without better images. The nakago appears to have a signature. The flash has obliterated detail. If signed, try and get good pictures of the writing. The blade does appear to be no older than mid 17th century and has been cut down from its original length.
Bob

[michael leone]

new pics of tang and crossgaurd

here are some hopefully better pics. thanks to those that have responded, i really would like to learn more aboutthis sword so i may enjoy its history as much as possible..regards,,mike

[michael leone]

new pics of the japanese sword tang

new pic

[michael leone]

new pic of tsuba

new pic

[Bob Coleman]

The swordmaker inscription reads Bishu(provence of)Osafune(village name) Yasumitsu(swordmaker's name) There were two smith's who signed this way in the late 14th and early 15th century. However, neither the signature, the file marks on the tang or the blade shape matches their work. Fake signatures are common in Japanese swords. For more information, a hands on examination would be necessaray. I hope this helps and does not disappoint.
Bob

[michael leone]

question

are you saying the sword is fake? what period is it from? when you say it is common to find swords with fake inscriptions, what does that mean exactly? is the sword from the pre 1800s? and cut down to more modern fittings? hope these arent dumb questions, but i really appreciate any info,,thanks,,mike

[brannow]

Hi Mike,

Lesser smiths would forge famous smiths signature all the time. Some times the swords are well made and in the style of that smith but some times they are very low quality and do resemble the work at all. Sometimes they were made around the same time the smith worked sometime much later.
Fittings were changed all the time and are not usually original to older blades for one reason or another.

Your blade appears to be from the mid 1600 and this can be judged by the shape of the blade and patina on the tang.

Hope this helps,