Japanese Sword 2.info please.

**zephyr4** · 12-19-2010, 05:25 PM

This is the other Japanese sword I have, the cutting edge is about 27 inches.

Sorry about the poor quality pictures it's not fit to take the pictures outside.

Thanks for any help z4.

**zephyr4** · 12-31-2010, 02:45 PM

Anyone help with this.

Thanks z4

**SteveR** · 01-01-2011, 02:20 AM

It is an old blade in Military mounts. I believe made during the feudal period. Before 1600. Understand that age alone does not make a sword valuable. It will be the maker and or school attributed to it. There were more than a million Japanese swords brought back to the USA during and after WWII dating from 1000 up to 1945. It is not uncommon to find an old blade.
I believe Mr. Coleman could tell you much more than I.
I believe the kanji (writing) is upside down. But I am not good at translation.
SteveR

After looking at the blade again I believe from the style of the straight temper line all the way back to the tang it is from the shinto period.
SteveR

**Alan M** · 01-01-2011, 09:38 PM

Hi Steve , it looks to be an original sword , but has the Tsuba ( crossguard ) got a small opening in it ( on the side not seen in the photo ) ? There would have been a small leather strap with a snap button on it that was used to retain the sword in the scabbard , this would have wrapped around the Tsuka (handle /grip ) just above the crossguard , then passed through the opening in the Tsuba , then snapped on to the press studs that can be seen in the photo showing the leather cover on the scabbard . The Fuchi ( the sleeve at the base of the handle ) is not a standard military fitting but that does not mean it`s not original to the Tsuka ! Has there been something coated on the Tsuba and the blade /tang ?

**zephyr4** · 01-01-2011, 11:18 PM

Alan not sure what you mean by has it been coated, I don't know much about the sword someone fetched it in my mates gun shop in Manchester and I had a bit of spare cash so I bought it.

I have taken the handle off again and it does not look like there is anything coated on the tang it might be the light when the picture was taken.

I have attached another picture of the Tsuba, do you have any idea what the inscription means.

Thanks z4.

**Alan M** · 01-02-2011, 10:22 PM

Hi Steve , yes that`s the opening i was referring to . What looks like a silver coating must be a reflection from the flash ! It will help if you photograph the inscription the right way up ( with the point of the sword facing up ) and in natural light .