Shinto wakizashi

**BOB COLEMAN** · 09-07-2015, 12:56 AM

Sorry for the delay is responding. The photos were a little deceiving but the mei is Echizen ju Kaneshige as you were told. He is a lower middle quality smith who had is most productive period in the Keicho period which ran from 1596 until 1615, right at the start of the Edo period The blade would be considered a shinto

**Tank Destroyer** · 09-07-2015, 01:09 AM

Bob, I want to Thank you such much for the information. I do not take your knowledge and help for granted. Marty

**AZPhil** · 09-07-2015, 01:44 AM

Marty,
It was mentioned before about the pierced tsuba . While you had this sword apart did you happen to see who made that??? Kanji around the inner rim covered by the seppa/spacer and the handle.The swordsmith did not always make the fittings on these. And some of these are also very collectable making the sword more valuable. Just trying to help with the cost that you were quoted for this

Semper Fi
Phil

**Tank Destroyer** · 09-07-2015, 01:49 AM

Phil, I meant to thank you for the earlier post, I have taken all the information into account and will look at the blade again on Tuesday, but I think it is ok I do not remember see any major defects but will double check.
I will check the tsuba, I did not look before.
N Marty

**Tank Destroyer** · 09-09-2015, 04:20 AM

I bought the sword today. I took a chance on it. The blade is 21.5" long, the saya is longer than the blade which was common.

**AZPhil** · 09-09-2015, 06:25 AM

Congrat's Marty. That is something that your son will cherish his entire life and will hand down to his son and to his son!!!!!!
You just made a memory that will be passed down.
Good Man!!

Semper Fi
Phil

**BOB COLEMAN** · 09-09-2015, 04:06 PM

by AZPhil

Marty,
It was mentioned before about the pierced tsuba . While you had this sword apart did you happen to see who made that??? Kanji around the inner rim covered by the seppa/spacer and the handle.The swordsmith did not always make the fittings on these. And some of these are also very collectable making the sword more valuable. Just trying to help with the cost that you were quoted for this

Semper Fi
Phil

Just a brief correction to this statement. I do not know of any swordsmith who also made the sword fittings. The tsuka, the saya, the handle wrap were all made by specialists. Tsuba, fuschi-gashira, kodzuka, kogai and waribashi could all be made by the same artisan. This however is very rare and usually found only in the highest ranked artisans. The only exception I know of in cross over work would be iron tsuba made by the Myochin armor makers.