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Post by andyb on Dec 22, 2023 1:08:20 GMT
Hi - I was hoping someone here might help in decoding the tang on a sword I inherited. I used some chalk to help enhance symbols. It’s rough going but I think I figured out the signature and date with the exception of eta and year. Please correct if I miss interpreted. Signature: Tsuda Echizen Kami Sukehiro Date: Enpo Ni Nen Hachi Gatsu Hi so August of 1675 which puts it after his death. Made by his successor who took his name Attachments:
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Post by andyb on Dec 22, 2023 1:10:29 GMT
Shot got to figure out uploading pic
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Post by treeslicer on Dec 22, 2023 1:29:08 GMT
You're in the subforum for Western sabers and such.
If authentic, the blade will date to around the Kanbun era (1660's) of the Edu period, most likely.
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Post by andyb on Dec 22, 2023 1:45:41 GMT
Thanks! Forums was confusing. Thought I posted under general. The Japanese one said modern in the description
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Post by andyb on Dec 22, 2023 2:11:32 GMT
Hey sorry to be a nob. But…how do I contact a mod? LOL :-)
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Post by treeslicer on Dec 22, 2023 3:20:25 GMT
Hey sorry to be a nob. But…how do I contact a mod? LOL :-) The topic got moved.
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Post by andyb on Dec 22, 2023 16:55:49 GMT
Think I figured out the last piece which was period/year. Updated post. If anyone believes my translation is incorrect please let me know.
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Post by andyb on Dec 22, 2023 21:56:23 GMT
So continuing on my journey I noticed that the kashira has a symbol on it that looks like two crossed feathers. I did some digging and it seems to be the crest of the Asano Clan. Can I assume then that the sword was made for a member of that family? Would be cool if I could approximate who owned it based on the date it was made.
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Post by Jussi Ekholm on Dec 22, 2023 22:32:07 GMT
You have the translation correct. However I would approach the signature with caution as Tsuda Sukehiro is very famous maker and there are many gimei signatures around.
1st gen is often referred as Soboro Sukehiro and 2nd gen is Tsuda Sukehiro, at least that is how I see it. Being so famous maker I think I should have 100+ authenticated reference signatures and I dont even focus on these "new" swords. Even though they are not my thing I think there are some good and some bad features in the signature. But as I am not home I don't have my references.
Do you have pictures of the blade, if it is in polish it would be nice to see it.
I personally wouldn't put too much thought on the fittings & blade having history from the beginning. Swords have been often remounted and later in the history even mixed & matched.
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Post by andyb on Dec 23, 2023 0:16:44 GMT
Thanks so much for the info. Its been very interesting researching and trying to identify the kanji. learned a lot of history. The blade is in pretty good shape and is mirror polished. However, I suspect somewhere along the line it was polished "unprofessionally" as the Hamon is barely visible. I hesitate to have it professionally restored as I have no idea if its worth what it would cost to do so. I will take some pics and upload. My Grandfather brought this back from WWII. He was a Marine in the 2nd Division assigned to the Asia campaign. He left me a lot of things he brought back. He didn't like to talk about it much. However, He told me at one point that he took this sword from an officer who he had to fight hand to hand behind enemy lines. I believe it was on Tarawa. Thats about all the history I have.
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Post by treeslicer on Dec 23, 2023 2:56:54 GMT
Thanks so much for the info. Its been very interesting researching and trying to identify the kanji. learned a lot of history. The blade is in pretty good shape and is mirror polished. However, I suspect somewhere along the line it was polished "unprofessionally" as the Hamon is barely visible. I hesitate to have it professionally restored as I have no idea if its worth what it would cost to do so. I will take some pics and upload. My Grandfather brought this back from WWII. He was a Marine in the 2nd Division assigned to the Asia campaign. He left me a lot of things he brought back. He didn't like to talk about it much. However, He told me at one point that he took this sword from an officer who he had to fight hand to hand behind enemy lines. I believe it was on Tarawa. Thats about all the history I have. What little I can see of the tsuba in your pics looks like that of a "kai-gunto" meaning a naval sword, rather than that of a "shin gunto" army sword. ohmura-study.net/945.html
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Post by andyb on Dec 23, 2023 3:04:05 GMT
Thanks so much for the info. Its been very interesting researching and trying to identify the kanji. learned a lot of history. The blade is in pretty good shape and is mirror polished. However, I suspect somewhere along the line it was polished "unprofessionally" as the Hamon is barely visible. I hesitate to have it professionally restored as I have no idea if its worth what it would cost to do so. I will take some pics and upload. My Grandfather brought this back from WWII. He was a Marine in the 2nd Division assigned to the Asia campaign. He left me a lot of things he brought back. He didn't like to talk about it much. However, He told me at one point that he took this sword from an officer who he had to fight hand to hand behind enemy lines. I believe it was on Tarawa. Thats about all the history I have. What little I can see of the tsuba in your pics looks like that of a "kai-gunto" meaning a naval sword, rather than that of a "shin gunto" army sword. ohmura-study.net/945.htmlYes that looks very much like the Saya and hardware
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Post by andyb on Dec 23, 2023 3:11:48 GMT
You have the translation correct. However I would approach the signature with caution as Tsuda Sukehiro is very famous maker and there are many gimei signatures around. 1st gen is often referred as Soboro Sukehiro and 2nd gen is Tsuda Sukehiro, at least that is how I see it. Being so famous maker I think I should have 100+ authenticated reference signatures and I dont even focus on these "new" swords. Even though they are not my thing I think there are some good and some bad features in the signature. But as I am not home I don't have my references. Do you have pictures of the blade, if it is in polish it would be nice to see it. I personally wouldn't put too much thought on the fittings & blade having history from the beginning. Swords have been often remounted and later in the history even mixed & matched. OK here are some pics of only the blade. Hard to get a good pic due to reflection. last pic you can somewhat see the hamon.
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