Help to translate a sword Blade please

[John Brandon]

Hello guys, it's me again with another request.......The chap I "swapped" some bits with for that Wakasaki the other day, phoned me this morning and asked if I wanted anymore. He gave me 2 blades ....just blades......that are in pretty poor condition, with chips and rust marks, but one is signed TWICE... on each side of the tang. So i put a candle over it, and used cello-tape to put across it pulled the tape off and stuck it onto some white paper It's a full sized blade, that has somewhat suffered in it's life, but are the photos any good to see the writing?.....Oh and I picked this up from him too, and boy what a beauty, That's my era, so I know what I've got

Thanks again for any assistance you might have

[BOB COLEMAN]

Hi John-
The blade is signed and dated. The signature part reads Bizen no Kuni ju Osafune ? ? A resident of the province of Bizen, village of Osafune and the last two characters are too light for me to make out. I will see if I can make out the date. It would me much easier if you had posted the pictures vertical instead of sideways. Osafune was a very large sword making location during the warring states period. I will be back to you on the rest of the signature. Note our sticky on how to post sword tangs for translation.

[John Brandon]

LOL................sorry Bob, hows this?

Thanks for your help, I'm getting into something that is both fascinating and enjoyable, but I doubt if it is affordable. This might be something I start to collect, as apart from ammunition, I don't collect anything

[BOB COLEMAN]

Hi John-
Now they are upside down. Check the sticky thread as it explains how to post. The light carved writing is typical of Bizen swords made pre 1600.

[John Brandon]

LOl I've just noticed,,,, how's this

Sorry..I'll get the hang of it soon, I promise

[BOB COLEMAN]

Hi John-
It is still too light for my old eyes. Maybe a younger set can make out the missing pieces. I can make out ju hachi(18)on the date but not the era. Possibly highlighting with chalk will help.

[John Brandon]

I will take some better pictures tomorrow Bob................... in the "studio".............LOL

[SteveR]

As you mentioned friend the blades are in extremely poor condition. I would invest in better quality blades myself.
There are numerous Japanese arms and armor dealers that will have good quality swords for not much money.
I would go that way rather than buying ( in my personal opinion ) rusted pieces of junk with no real collector value.

[harryamb2]

strange,I found this post amusing go for it John.

[John Brandon]

It was free