translation help please

[lampstation]

hi lads, would you be so kind and translate the kanji for me, many thanks to all
brenig.

[GHP]

Really obscure .... but perhaps

重道作
Shigemichi saku

????

--Guy

[nickn]

I don't think it's michi

[GHP]

I don't think it's michi

Hmmmm ... how about 直 "nao"?

重直
Shigenao

??????

--Guy

[Bob Coleman]

As the second mekugi ana has removed part of the kanji, it is difficult to read. I agree with Guy's first opinion. It is always helpful when posting a picture of a mei to also post a picture of the entire nakago. Is this a katana or wakizashi?

[lampstation]

hi lads, the kanji is on a 29-5" katana, also better pic's of kanji, thanks, brenig.

[GHP]

Sorry, Brenig; although the kanji are sharper and clearer .... that middle one is killing me. I just cannot make it out. It does not appear to be 道 michi, or 直 nao ... and I just wonder if it could be 恒 tsune; but the balance just doesn't seem right even if you take into consideration the "standing heart" radical is erased by the hole.

So, here are the names we've considered so far:

重道作 Shigemichi saku
重直作 Shigenao saku
重恒作 Shigetsune saku.

Shigetsune was a ko-bizen smith active between 1199 and 1201.

Can we get a full shot of the blade's entire length to include the tang?

--Guy

[lampstation]

hi guy, finding it very difficult to take pic's of sword's full length, but try these,
brenig.

[lampstation]

another two, length in three stages?

[GHP]

another two, length in three stages?

Brenig,

Thanks for the additional photos. Though I am not an expert, these photos are enough for our resident experts to venture an opinion. They will not be able to tell exactly the quality without having it in hand, but the temper-line looks very nice, and the nakago (tang) also ... nice black patina.

Some small dings along the edge and the tip is broken, but if the sword is later deemed worthwhile, it could be worth restoring.

Remember, I'm not an expert ... I just like using the things!

Cheers!
--Guy

[Bob Coleman]

The shape and temper line would suggest this blade is from the early Edo period or possibly the end of the Momoyama period(around 1590-1624). The broken point could be a real problem as reshaping will remove most of the boshi or temper in the point. I have gone through my lists in the Nihonto Meikan, which is a sword dictionary list of all Japanese swordsmiths. I have not found any smith listed with any of the three kanji Guy has suggested that would fit in to the time period and work on this blade. I think only an in hand examination by an advanced sword student will be able to figure this one out.

[nickn]

looks like mino shigimichi to me as bob says 1580-1630
kissaki looks fine in the first photo almost full temper boshi

[nickn]

shigemichi usually didnt sign with 3 kanji so perhaps its an atomei??

[lampstation]

hi lads, close up of tip, it hasn't lost it's tip just look's alittle blunt on the end
anyway many thanks to guy, bob, and nickn, for their comments much
appreciated as always, good luck, brenig.

[nickn]

Slightly tipped
Will be sorted with a fresh polish no real problem