Antique Japanese sword, maybe 500 years old?

Question

I have 2 old japanese swords that my family has had for a long time.. One I'm focused on more than the other, since I found a certain signature on it. It reads in japanese characters:
O
Gasa
Wara
Naga
Mune
Sake

So apparently it is a name, and I found only one name online that matched; a person called Ogasawara Nagamune(Sake just indicates the maker) who lived from 1492-1549.
Now, the fact that it has a belt buckle which was common at this time(Mouromachi period 1465-1555) and has a Koto sword period(900-1530) style with a blade from 60-65cm leaves me thinking that it might actually be 500 years old perhaps. The tang of the blade (both blades actually) reveal a rusty untouched brown patina(not from rain), which is a sign that it is old.. So it's all good news so far. For some reason however, the sheath, tsuba, and fittings all carry the Tokugawa shogunate crest, the 3 leaf hollyhock.. Any sword experts out there who can help me find this swords origins??? jedimasterham@yahoo.

Answer 1

Actually, as a sword is passed down from one generation to another, the new owner changes the fittings according to what's appropriate for his era. So from the small info you gave, chances are that the Samurai who last changed the fittings of your sword was either a retainer of the Tokugawa or a Tokugawa government official who comes from an old samurai family that dates back to the Muromachi era. Since all sword fittings were strictly regulated by the Tokugawa shogunate, most of the Tokugawa officials and retainers displayed the Tokugawa crest on their clothes and weapons as a sign of their allegiance and as a symbol of their office. There are also special occasions when a samurai who performed a great service to the shogunate is rewarded by the Shogun with a sword and the fittings show the Shogun's crest to commemorate the event, although this is rare, it's still a possibility.

You should try to get a stencil impression of the tang markings and try showing it to antique experts. I believe there are extensive records of swordmakers and their signatures in Japan. You could always try asking at the nearest Japanese consulate for names of appropriate contact persons. Good luck.

Answer 2

.wow it sounds amazing take it to several antique specialists, but if it is worth alot don't sell it. keep it for a while longer it may go up in value, plus it may have played an important part in history

Answer 3

Sorry I have no answer - but I'd just like to say thats amazing. Lol.