I have recently acquired a wakizashi which appears to be either 4th or 5th generation Shigetaka. I note that the swordsmiths listed here under the name SHIGETAKA only covers the first three generations. SHI505, SHI506 and SHI507. There appears to be at least eleven generations of Shigetaka.

I am having trouble translating the characters on this nakago. It is the reverse of the nakago so I assume its the details of date etc, rather than the smith.
Also, is it relevant that the characters seem to be 'hanging off the edge' - ie, seem very close to the edge? Visually this seems odd to me?

Just received the Kokan Nagayama hardback - Connoisseur's Book of Japanese Swords - a very steep learning curve obviously. Unbelievably detailed - I don't know where to start.
Thanks for the recommendation.

Cheers

Andy

Hi,

Just wondering about some very basic or obvious aspects of a signature on a nakago.
This one appears to say Bitchu No Kami Yasuhiro - I used Pete's Kanji ID List to decipher - thanks.
I realise that a great blade is a great blade and that is the most important aspect, and I appreciate that, but I just wanted to dwell on signature in respect of this blade.