Need help identifying katana

[Ryan Grimsby]

While going through a basement closet of my mother's house I found a hidden compartment against the inner door frame. Inside I found a piece of tattered cloth wrapped around a razor sharp katana with Japanese markings on both sides of the tang and some sort of etching or stamp on the blade. My mom has lived there for several years and had no idea of its presence, according to her the previous owner who has since passed away spent a few years in Japan in the 1950s or 60s. I have no idea what I've got here so any input would be greatly appreciated.

edit: I applied a light coat of ballistol oil with a cotton cloth and have avoided handling it with my bare hands. Is there anything else I should be doing to care for it?

Thanks!

[Greg.D]

No oil on the nakago(tang)Taira NobuHide

[Ryan Grimsby]

Thanks Greg,

So then this would be him?

http://nihontoclub.com/swords/0000-1032

[chris franklin]

Yes and no!Although that is what the signature says it doesn't mean that it was made by him,this is a top swordsmith accordingly fakes were made by contemporaries and in later years.
It looks a nice sword but you need to have it looked at by someone who is competent and understands what to look for in making an assessment.

[Guy C]

Am I misreading the photo or is the alignment of the ha-machi and mune-machi all wrong?

[Greg.D]

1864

[Ryan Grimsby]

I added some better photos if that helps.

[Guy C]

Ryan
The new photos certainly help, it was the second original one I was worried about but I see now that it was my failing eyesight. Nice sword.

[Ryan Grimsby]

Thanks for the help guys. Any suggestions about where to get it appraised? I'm in Baltimore Maryland (USA).

[chris franklin]

It does look a very nice sword indeed,you might contact the Japanese Sword Society of the United States (Google JSSUS),they might provide a local contact and in the meantime you could have some fun checking your horimono (engraving) against those on their website!
The images don't show on my browser but I looked in Hawley,nearest I can find is Marishiten,a deity that chases devils and enemies.
Caution! Until you've had this correctly appraised don't accept any wild offers to buy it as it may be a valuable sword.

[Ryan Grimsby]

I'm having trouble finding that gallery on their website but I sent them an email. I also got in contact with an appraiser in DC who is willing to travel to me to take a look at it. I'll keep you guys updated with the final verdict. Thanks again for all your help.

[Ryan Grimsby]

It does look a very nice sword indeed,you might contact the Japanese Sword Society of the United States (Google JSSUS),they might provide a local contact and in the meantime you could have some fun checking your horimono (engraving) against those on their website!
The images don't show on my browser but I looked in Hawley,nearest I can find is Marishiten,a deity that chases devils and enemies.
Caution! Until you've had this correctly appraised don't accept any wild offers to buy it as it may be a valuable sword.

Marishiten was spot on. Writing this to update any interested parties and thank you guys for your help. I have had the blade looked at in hand by one stateside authority on nihonto as well as direct correspondence (through a translator) with an NBTHK official who is a premier authority on the work of Nobuhide. All opinions are that the blade is genuine and I will be taking it to Tampa in february for the NTHK shinsa. I have had a few offers to buy it but have decided to keep it as I've been told it might make an excellent juyo candidate. Thank you all again!