I recently acquired a sword that has WW2 surrender paperwork stating that the swordsmith is "Mitsutada Osafune." I included a picture of the surrender paperwork as well as pictures of the mei. There are quite a few kanji on the tachi side that I can hardly read. I also would like some of you who are much more knowledgeable than I about the authenticity of the mei. I don't have the history of the sword yet, but am very intrigued if this is a true Mitsutada. I am considering sending the sword to the NBTHK for shinsa bu am wanting to decide if it would be worth it. Please take a look at the pictures and let me know your opinion on the mei and any other translation assistance you can provide.
Daric
Mitsutada
Hi Daric,
Mitsutada is a very big name and, being different to many other Bizen smiths, there were only 2 smiths called Mitsutada (which may have been the same person: Osafune Mitsutada and Ko-Bizen Mitsutada).
The signature is very faint. I'd need a better close up under different lighting to see more (Pete may help though and read it as is), but there seems to be a date, either second or third year of Hōji era (宝治, 1247-1249) which matches the historical period of the Mitsutada.
Three observations:
Mitsutada is a very big name, I seriously doubt the signature is genuine
It surely is worth sending it to shinsa, but do expect disappointing results (if it's a fake signature)
Regards,
Stan
Further intrigued
Thanks for such a quick reply Stan. I will take some better pictures of the blade with a good camera this week. I have seen some pictures with flour in the mei to make it stand out. Is there a trick like this that would help?
I also know that some smiths who were very famous had their names copied even in their own time. I am optimistic but am also realistic. I have never submitted a sword for Shinsa before and if you and Pete agree this would be a worthwhile endeavor, I will definitely do it, but would like some help on how to submit it and make sure it is protected. I took a couple pictures with my regular camera but definitely want to take some better ones with a better camera.
Daric
Shinsa
Hi Daric,
By the way, one reasonably cost effective option for you is to submit your sword to NTHK-NPO shinsa in Tampa in February:
http://www.militaria.co.za/nmb/topic/17382-2016-nthk-npo-shinsa-in-tampa...
Regards,
Stan
Reserved three shinsa spots today
Thank you. I booked a trip and contacted Chris to reserve the spots for this sword and two others I have.