Seeking information on yard sale katana

[ghp95134]

Hey y'all!! I'm pretty certain that is TENSHO 2 Year

備州三原住正直作
Bishū Mihara Jū Masanao Saku
Made by Masanao, Resident of Mihara in Bishū

天正二年八月日
August 1574

Here's another; Tensho 6 Year


三原市の文化財
― Cultural properties of Mihara ―
名称
刀
銘 備州三原住正直作
よみがな
かたな
めい びしゅうみはらじゅうまさな
おさく
指定
市指定
種別
重要文化財
種類
工芸品
所有者
個人蔵
員数
1口
指定年月日
昭和40年（1965）3月27日
構造形式
刃文丁字乱れ
鎬造り
目くぎ穴1ヶ
裏銘 天正六年八月 日
法量
長さ62．7cm
反り2．2cm
時代
室町時代 天正6年（1578）
公開状況
非公開

[Martin C]

Hello,

As promised here are more pictures of the blade. I made some observations today when blade was in hand that should
be mentioned. The file marks on the nakago can hardly be seen with the naked eye. Also, the signature has
deteriorated, softened with age, a attribute that i dont find on other katanas that i have which are newer WWII guntos and
Kai-guntos. And the nakago is very dark, it could be called black, another feature not found on my newer swords.

Thank you Mart

[ghp95134]

Looks like 24k. gold filler for the top menukiana [retention hole]? That's not found on garden-variety swords that were shortened.

--Guy

[edit: as kindly pointed out to me further "down range," I flubbed a technical term. I should have written meKUGI-ana vice meNUKI-ana.]

[MAP]

Nice! 16th century. Awesome!

Would anyone know if this is worthy of a polishing by Moses or another qualified person?

Would be great to be able to know the history.

Michael

[Stu W]

Looks like 24k. gold filler for the top menukiana [retention hole]? That's not found on garden-variety swords that were shortened.

--Guy

Typo maybe? Mekugi ana maybe?

Regards,
Stu

[Stu W]

Nice! 16th century. Awesome!

Would anyone know if this is worthy of a polishing by Moses or another qualified person?

Would be great to be able to know the history.

Michael

That's going to require an in hand inspection by the polisher. Moses will do it if you contact him and arrange it ahead of time. You don't have to worry about him saying yes just to get the work either as he's got a wait list at least a year long at any given time.

Regards,
Stu

[Martin C]

Guy, keen observation skills you have there! I have looked at the menukiana under a 60 power scope, and the filler used
is gold, IMO and not your garden variety either! ha ha Buy the way do you, or anyone else have a idea of the age of the
saya?

Thank you Mart

[Stu W]

For ease of viewing I'll flip these ...

Regards,
Stu

[MAP]

That's going to require an in hand inspection by the polisher. Moses will do it if you contact him and arrange it ahead of time. You don't have to worry about him saying yes just to get the work either as he's got a wait list at least a year long at any given time.

Regards,
Stu

Thanks! I know, he is a busy guy. My blade has been with him since Aug. He told me at least a year, probably more.

Michael

[ghp95134]

Typo maybe? Mekugi ana maybe?

Regards,
Stu

I suffer from CRS! Be kind to me. (^___^)

Honest! My brain was saying "Mekugi ana" [edit: see -- I did it again; now corrected] but my subversive fingers -- damn their eyes! [oh, wait ...] -- took over. Yes: MEKUGI ANA; and, just to ensure I do not make such a faux pas in the near future:

目釘穴
Mekugiana
Dowel Hole

--Guy