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Lot Essay
The portion of the character remaining on the end of the tang following the shortening process appears to be the top part of "yoshi." A number of possible signatures in the Heianjo school are Yoshinaga, Yoshifusa, and Yoshinori. Earlier generations of the school from the Nambokucho period onwards generally inscribed "ju" (resident of) after the word "Heianjo," so this sword was evidently made by a later smith during the sixteenth century. The broad form, shallow curve, and substantial kissaki of the blade all suggest work of around the Tensho era (1573-92).
The Museum of Japanese Sword Fittings register ascribes the blade to Yoshifusa, whereas the government registration document has a note attributing the sword to Yoshinori and stating that it was from the old Uesugi collection. Another possibility is Yoshinaga, the son of Nagayoshi (said to have carved unusual horimono), who worked around the Tenbun era (1532-55).
The Museum of Japanese Sword Fittings register ascribes the blade to Yoshifusa, whereas the government registration document has a note attributing the sword to Yoshinori and stating that it was from the old Uesugi collection. Another possibility is Yoshinaga, the son of Nagayoshi (said to have carved unusual horimono), who worked around the Tenbun era (1532-55).