Tang Translation

[MAP]

Can anyone help with who the smith was on this blade? Machine made or hand forged?

Thanks!

[rbminis]

While I can't help with the signature, from what I can see of the temper line, it looks to be a machine made blade.
I have a naval sword that is signed, but a machine made blade.
My Officer's sword is unsigned, but is a hand made blade.
Could you see any grain structure on the blade, (similar to a very discreet damascus)?
Here is a photo of the blade and temper line on my hand made blade.
Ralph.

[MAP]

Thanks Ralph.

The sword was at a local show and it was difficult to photograph (especially with the sub par lighting) but it did appear that it might have a hamon (I didn't bring a loop nor my reading glasses so couldn't look up close ) Even then, I know that this does not necessarily make it a hand forged blade. Story is that the Vet brought it for appraisal to the NBTHK but the paperwork was lost long ago.

I have no illusions about the blade, but though it was worth a shot at identifying it especially since it had two Mekugi-Ana holes on the Nakago.

[rbminis]

It does have the pierced tsuba, so that is nice.
Ralph.

[ghp95134]

藤原貞行
Fujiwara Sadayuki

Markus Sesko lists many Sadayuki smiths in his Japanese Swordsmiths; none of the Showa-era Sadayukis signed as "Fujiwara Sadayuki."

Other older smiths used a long mei incorporating "〇〇〇〇Fujiwara Sadayuki" .... but the only one that signed solely "Fujiwara Sadayuki" was the following:

SADAYUKI (貞行), Keichō (慶長, 1596-1615), Bungo – “Fujiwara Sadayuki” (藤原貞行), Fujiwara-Takada school, dense itame-nagare mixed with masame, suguha in ko-nie-deki with ko-ashi and yō, also a suguha-chō with ko-midare and sunagashi, the bōshi is sugu or midare-komi and has a ko-maru- or pointed kaeri

That is not to say this is your smith! It is the only one I can find to fit your mei.

This mei is too faint to compare to your sword, but the description places it at Edo period ca 1658.


Cheers,
-- Guy

[Bruce Pennington]

Early, Type 94 fittings with the second, removeable haikan (belt hanger ring) which is quite often missing! My 1.5 cents - dark black old rust says "old" blade, along with Guy's evaluation, and the 2 holes - I'd say this is an old traditionally made blade refitted for the war. A really nice sword.

[MAP]

Guy/Bruce/ Ralph

Thanks so much.

I know very little about these but it looked like a really nice sword. As said it was a vet pick up and the story from the family is that the vet did have it evaluated decades ago but the paper work has been lost to time.

[rbminis]

It might be worth picking up and committing a little time into investigating, it might be a "gem in the rough" so to speak.
Although it's not really "in the rough" as the fittings are nice and correct.
It might be a surprise like your other sword Michael.
Ralph.

[MAP]

That is what I was hoping Ralph. It really is in great condition too.

Let's see what will happen.