Ken Tanto Translation help needed

[J. M. C.]

Here's another one that just came in.

Any help with the translation and period would be greatly appreciated.

Sorry in advance for the picture quality.

[GHP]

Signature side:
備前国長船住秀光
Bizen kuni Osafune Jū Hidemitsu
Hidemitsu, Residing in Osafune of Bizen Country


Date side:
應永十年六月日
Ōe Ju-Nen, Roku-gatsu Jitsu
A Day in June 1403
[The modern kanji for Ōe is 応永]

六十七才
Nanajūroku Sai
Aged 67


--Guy

P.S.
You owe us photos of the full blade!

[J. M. C.]

Thanks so much Guy! I will get some more pictures for you tomorrow in natural light.

[J. M. C.]

Here are a couple more shots.

[J. M. C.]

Do you guys think that the Habaki is from the same period?

[nickn]

As the habaki is normally changed every time a sword is polished this would not be the original but it really doesn't matter it's a quality one

[Stu W]

Always nice to see items other than the standard fare. Thank you for showing.

Regards,
Stu

[J. M. C.]

Thank you all so much for all the help! This is a wonderful learning experience. I am doing my best to learn but different hand writing styles and eras can be murder with kanji.

With Guy's great help I managed to try to line it all up in this picture. Did I get it all lined up right? There is one that is a bit more visible in this new picture.

Thanks again.

[Mikson]

Very Cool! 15th century WOW

[GHP]

... I managed to try to line it all up in this picture. Did I get it all lined up right? There is one that is a bit more visible in this new picture.

Sorry! I forgot to add "Made"; so, replace the ? with 作.
Looooking Gooood!



Cheers,
--Guy

[Beater]

Lovely piece. All your photos show the side of blade with the mei. It has a central ridge line. I am interested in knowing if the other side is the same (i.e. it has a diamond shaped cross section) or if the reverse side is flat, with no ridge line, so having a triangular cross section blade?
I am curious because I have been wondering if, rather than a Ken shaped tanto, this may originally have been a yari blade? The larger mekugi ana is often seen on pole arms. I have to say, at this stage, it is just something I was considering, my leaning is still towards it being made as a Ken shaped tanto.

Many of these Ken shaped blades, especially those in shira saya were made for / presented to shrines. Given the early date, the nakago and mei are in remarkably good condition.

[J. M. C.]

Hi Beater,
Both sides are shown in the above shots (post #4). There is a central ridge on both sides.

[J. M. C.]

Sorry! I forgot to add "Made"; so, replace the ? with 作.
Looooking Gooood!



Cheers,
--Guy

Thanks again Guy!

Fixed it.

[Beater]

Hi Beater,
Both sides are shown in the above shots (post #4). There is a central ridge on both sides.

Opps. So it is. Should have gone to Specsavers.
I'm all the more convinced - always a tanto not a recycled yari.

Regards,

Kevin.

[J. M. C.]

I am researching this one a bit more and I cant figure out how to tell if this is 3rd or 4th generation Hidemitsu. I think that 1st and 2nd can be ruled out.

There's a lot for me to learn on this one.