this looks like a pretty old sword! The tang kanji looks pretty nice but i am not able to translate it. any help would be much appreciated.
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more pics<p>
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[IMG]http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q237/b

IT IS DIFFICULT TO READ KANJI SIDEWAYS AND UPSIDE DOWN. PLEASE POST A PICTURE WITH THE CUTTING EDGE AT THE TOP AND THE BOTTOM OF THE TANG AT THE BOTTOM OF YOUR PICTURE.

Bob, Thanks for the tip. These pics should be better. My tang orientation was obviously off!<p>
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THE SIGNATURE READS IYOJO MASATSUGU. HE WAS A LOWER MEDIUM QUALITY SWORDSMITH WHO WORKED IN HIZEN PROVINCE ON THE ISLAND OF KYUSHU IN THE EARLY 17TH CENTURY. THE BLADE HAS BEEN SHORTENED IN LENGTH OVER THE YEARS. THANKS FOR POSTING THE PICTURES IN THE RIGHT FORMAT AS I AM GETTING TO OLD TO STAND ON MY HEAD FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME.