Katana tang

[Andrew]

hello gents,
a sword i had taken for granted, i decided to pull the handle off just to look. i think its previous owner had it looked at because the kanji has white paint to make it stand out. i think its paint. i'm hoping one of you gents can translate it for me.
thank you. andrew

[drdata]

Wow Andrew, some guys have all the luck.

The Japanese goverenment is on there way now to claim their national treasure.

Regards

[Andrew]

lol drdata,
for all i know, the tang says. not a winner. better luck next time !!!

[sitges1990]

Hi Andrew, I can't help you with the writing, but I bet there is a good chance that the white in the letters is white wax or grease pencil. I picked it up from guys putting it on their rifles to enhance the markings. I've been putting it on my rifles for several years. With alittle elbow grease it will come off. If it is pencil, it will start to come off very slowly, but then get easier, because you have to cut through the dried part. I sure hope it's not paint! What very little I know about those, that writing is definitely a good thing.

Take care,
Jay

[Andrew]

i think your right sitges about grease pencil.
i'm hoping Bob has time to look at this one for me.

[AZPhil]

If possible could you take a pic of the whole blade with out the tsuba and habaki.
Some of the big boys of nihonto collecting hang out here sometime's and are quite helpful in translations.

Nihon-to Forum - Sword Forum International

[Andrew]

i'm not sure how the blade pics will help read the tang but i'm easy, here are some other pics of the sword.
andrew

[Alan M]

Hi Andrew , that`s a very nice late war Marine Landing Forces sword . I believe the long inscription on the tang is the date it was made , which i think is 2nd October 1944 . I haven`t found the anything on the smith as yet but when i do i`ll let you know , unless someone get`s there before me

[Andrew]

Hi Alan, thank you for taking the time to help me out. the sword it self is in beautyfull condition, there is a bit of rust on the iron tsuba i need to put some oil on.
any help would be great. i'll be posting my other japanese items. bayo's and rifles.
andrew

[Alan M]

Hi Andrew , it`s a pleasure looking at your collection