Hello, just bought another sword I like. I am trying to determine age, and if the line on the mune is a crack, or opening, and is it a fatal flaw. The tsuba and fittings and menukies are all the same theme, and I believe are original to the sword. Please see attached images. Updated with 3 images of sword length and curve to help identify age.

I like this sword, very nice blade. If anyone can help in reading the signature I appreciate it.

Hi Pete
Attached some shots they are not as good as I normally take them in the morning (cooler light) but today it is over cast.

Good Morning,
I am seeking help / assistance to be able to know the meaning of inscriptions on the tang of a sword I own.
Omote- Possible reading
1st kanji: Hon = true / real ?
2nd kanji: I do not know.
3rd kanji: Kane (Mino way).
4th kanji:Uji.
Incised stamp: I have absolutely no idea.

Ura-
Date: My reading
Meiji 9th year 2nd month a day. A day in February 1876 ( one month before the Haitori Edict).
2nd last kanji: Ichi.

Sorry: I tried to just add a comment to my prior post, but I couldn't figure out how to add more photos. This is in response to Saipan59

OK. I've taken a good look at the items you mentioned, and added some more photos.

The light scratches are on both the shinogi-ji and the ji. I can't really determine if they are continuous, or were done separately just meeting at the shinogi, which still seems pronounced and straight. The hamon is still quite visible, and in fact the "scratches" can barely be seen on the harder hamon.

This is only the second Japanese sword I have acquired. I bought it through an auction where it was presented as a: Japanese katana in shirasaya, shin-shinto (1765-1867), suguha hamon, ko-itame jimon, signed 'Suishinshi Masahide', original tang, iron tsuba with gilt inlay from Edo period; together with a silk katana bukuro (sword bag), total length: approx. 41", blade length: 28.25".
One of the reasons I bought this is because it appears "unfinished" and I wanted to add same,ito, mekugi, koiguchi, kojiri, etc.

Hi,

This is my first post here, and I will fess up right now that my knowledge of Japanese swords is extremely limited, and hence so is my terminology. My interest got tweaked recently, and now I'm on a bit of a mission to get something verified. I am hopeful that you will be able to assist me.

Hi to everyone.

This is my last acquisition. I was abble to translate the mei by myself(thank you nihontoclub !). But I want to share it with you.

So, as a little game, try to find who is the swordsmith and the date (and Pete, let someone else answer, 'cause that's too easy for you...).

Nagasa: 71 cm
Hamon: choji midare
Era: shinto
Area: bizen

Sylvain

Good day ALL
I have funeral purchased a Kozuka and three hitu for my collection.
With cleaning the rusty blade I found a signature , Can any one tell me the name and the about the
leaf motif ?? Thank you

Hi pete, thank you for your help question I ask myself is there a good Masatsugu blacksmith?
I looked at the dates of its activity it correspondrais at the time of this blade but signing it is a mei-mei or gi?
she is polishing court I expect the return to see the details of the blade if it matches the school.