How To Japanese samurai swords?

[Brett.Takenaka.Foster]

Is there anyone here that is experienced with Japanese samurai swords? I have what I believe to be an authentic Japanese samurai sword. I would like to have the tang inscription translated and authenticated or validated by someone who is experience in Japanese language, history, geography, and of course swords. I have a fairly good idea of what it says, but I'm after the exact translation. I have a series of 11 pictures, 10 of the tang and one of the scabbard, and both inscriptions appear to read the same. I have taken high quality photos and adjusted the contrast and colors to make the inscriptions more pronounced and easier to read. I photographed only two characters in each picture,with the lower character repeated as the upper character of the successive photo. If anyone could help me out on this one it would be greatly appreciated. (Now all I have to do is to figure out how to post a photo.)

 

[Triton]

If you post them here we have a couple of regular members who can and probably will help.

 

[Alberta Ed]

Probably can't help with the translation, but there is a marvelous website, The Japanese Sword, that might be useful: http://www.japaneseswordindex.com/nihonto.htm

 

[NihontoEd]

Send them to me if you can't figure out how to post them here.
My email is below.

 

[Sigp210]

Couple of Nihonto guys here, easy enough to get a translation done.

 

[Brett.Takenaka.Foster]

Thanks for all the tools. I trust that you guys can shrink them down to make reading them easier for your own consumption...I wanted to capture all of the detail. There are a total of 11 Kanji characters across the 10 photographs.

 

[KenHash]

Thanks for all the tools. I trust that you guys can shrink them down to make reading them easier for your own consumption...I wanted to capture all of the detail. There are a total of 11 Kanji characters across the 10 photographs

An additional photo of the whole mei on the nakago would be helpful.
From the bits and pieces it looks like
備州長船与三左衛門尉祐定　　Bishuu Osafune Yosouzaemon no jou Sukesada

 

[pineapple42]

I found these closest matches

Sukesada - SUK851 | Nihonto Club

This site is dedicated to the art of Nihontō (Japanese sword).

nihontoclub.com

Sukesada - SUK888 | Nihonto Club

This site is dedicated to the art of Nihontō (Japanese sword).

nihontoclub.com

 

[Brett.Takenaka.Foster]

Thank you, guys. After finding my interpretation, I believe that KenHash, yours is the closest to my interpretation. What reference did you use, Ken? Here's a look at the cherry wood scabbard. I'm trying to find the photo I took of the whole tang's insceription. Now, how do I find the value of my sword...if for no other reason than for insurance purposes?

 

[Sigp210]

Have a read here. That's not to say it is by that Sukesada, that is one of the most prolific names and there are hundreds of Sukesada. But it will give you some valuable info.

Yosozaemon Sukesada · Juyo Token Katana

Juyo Token Katana by Yosozaemon Sukesada. A rare and flamboyant hitatsura katana made by one of the best smiths of the Muromachi period, in the style of his most famous work. Muromachi Koto (1537).

yuhindo.com

Try and take a pic of the entire tang in one photo. I find it impossible to read in giant fragments.

 

[Brett.Takenaka.Foster]

Here is the full tang without any color or contrast editing.

 

[NihontoEd]

Saw you finally put a descent photo.
Your sword is signed:
備州長船守左衛門尉祐定
Bishu Osafune no Kami Saemonjo Sukesada

99% probability of gimei. Never seen a Bishu Sukesada signed with "Kami" always "Ju". Checked the listings to be sure, none. Overall the mei is poorly cut.