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I had the opportunity to examine a Japanese sword of potential value at a recent antique appraisal fair to benefit a local library association. I have no grounding in the subject of swords, so took pictures to share with the forum, while soliciting views of those who do know something about this field.

Oral provenance was related by the widow of the American owner, who had served in the US military after World War II and worked closely with a native Japanese interpreter. At the end of their service together, the interpreter presented his American co-worker with this sword, describing it as one of two heirloom blades that had been handed down from his father.

The craftsmanship appears to be excellent, with good condition rayskin (same) on the grip (if the grip was ever wrapped, the cords are now missing), nicely formed and gilded samurai figures on the menuki and a finely worked deer and grain motif on the tsuba. The mark on the tsuba may be "Shunko" (春光), but I'm not entirely sure. Guess I'll have to blame my inability to read it on the photographer. :)

Research indicates the signature on the blade reads "Sesshu Ju Fujiwara Tadayuki" (摂州住藤原忠行 - literally "Fujiwara Tadayuki who dwelled at Sesshu"). This swordsmith's birth and death dates are nowhere to be found, although some internet sources suggest he may have been in the second generation to use the Fujiwara Tadayuki name. The name had been borrowed by a Tadayuki ancestor who had taken over the Fujiwara workshop, when the last of the latter line passed away during the Edo-period. The only mention of Sesshu (摂州) I could find turned up on Google Maps as part of a longer place name near Osaka.

A good deal of information on the mark is found on Japanese websites. However, I seek input of others on the dating and value of the sword, as well as any other details of the maker. I read kanji only from the Chinese perspective and have to depend mostly on machine translations to make sense of the Japanese texts, so need all the help I can get.

Images are attached.

Many thanks,

Bill H.

I was just wondering if you ever found out more about Fujiwara Tadayuki? I just bought a Katana with the same signature and am researching it myself.

http://imgur.com/tVt2iO3

Yours is the sole response I've received to date on the sword.

Thanks,

Bill H.

Have either of you tried posting to:

http://www.nihontomessageboard.com/

Osaka, late 17th century?

I read signature on the tsuba as 'Harumitsu' (春光) followed by a kakihan.

As Jim suggests, best thing to do is to contact the Nihonto Message Board or the Sword Forum, also available questions on Japanese swords (http://www.swordforum.com/forums/forum.php)

Guy.

I appreciate the recent input. I'd been trying to assist the sword's elderly owner, who I encountered at an appraisal event held for charity. We've since lost contact, so there's no current impetus to follow-up, but there's no reason why Jason couldn't reference this forum thread in queries to the Nihonto Message Board and Sword Forum.

Best regards,

Bill H.

Thaks, I did join the Nihonto forum mentioned and got good directions. I've also found several swords by this maker for sale online, mostly on Japanese websites.

It seems this maker was a fairly well know smith of the Tadayoshi school of Shinto era Japan during the second half of the 1600s within the area around modern Osaka. His signature may have been forged onto blades by competing smiths in the same era but it would take an expert to detect it.

Bottom line, a Tadayuki blade is a great piece of history and a true edo period nihonto but not exactly "National Treasure" material. Still a cool find though... I hope the elderly gentleman took good care of that blade.

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