Need help to identify a sword signature

Hi,

I send you a picture of a signature on a katana nakago. I don't have any information regarding it, except that it belonged to the family for 50 years, at least. Any information will be very helpfull! Thanks a lot!

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Kunikage

The mei is:
BISHUu KUNIKAGE SAKU
Maybe KUN300.

The second half is a date, using the Chinese zodiac.
It says: "TSUCHINOE SARU GO GATSU". "GO GATSU" is the month of May.
It is a 60-year cycle, and example years for Tsuchinoe Saru are 1548 and 1608 and 1668, etc.

Pete

Thanks a lot Pete, specially

Thanks a lot Pete, specially for your prompt return! Do you have any idea about the age? Is it necessary to know the chinese zodiac to determine it precisely?!

date

The problem with Chinese zodiac dates is that you can't tell which 60-year cycle it is...
IF we assume that KUN300 is the smith, and IF we assume that Hawley's info is accurate, then this blade is from the 1500's.

Pete

Thanks a lot!

Thanks a lot!

nthk paper identification

Hi Pete (or someone else that could have this information),

Do you think it worth get the identification paper related to this katana? Do you know what do I have to do to apply it for avaliation at nthk society? I've sent two emails for "unique japan" asking them if it is possible to do the identification through photos and how much it would be but I still have no answer...

Best regards,

Felipe

Pete, Does it means that the

Pete,

Does it means that the sword is chinese? Have you seen blades like this one before? Do you think is it fake?

Best regards,

Felipe

zodiac

No, I don't think it is Chinese.
Japan used the Chinese zodiac.

Pete