Help IDing Japanese sword

[backwoods80]

A buddy of mine has a sword from his grandfather that we'd like to know more about. I've attached pics (hopefully they're clear enough). There is no other markings on the blade or sword other than the signature on the tang. Any info would be greatly appreciated! Thanks in advance!

[BOB COLEMAN]

The blade is a war time piece signed "Emura Saku." These blades. Chounsai Emura founded a forge on the grounds of the Okayama Prison where he forged swords along with prisoners he trained who worked for the war effort. Here is a link to an article about him:
JAPANESE SWORDSMITH CHOUNSAI EMURA
Welcome to our Forum. I hope we can be of further assistance in the future

[ghp95134]

Emura Saku

江村作

Made by Emura



Another HERE; but the 村 "mura" part of the signature is significantly different. Could be engraved by someone else. I knew a swordsmith who did not engrave his own swords, but hired someone more skilled.

The registration paper of a third Emura sword:


And a FOURTH Emura blade.

Cheers!
--Guy

[ghp95134]

Rats, Bob! Ya beat me to it .... I dallied trying to find other examples.

--Guy

[BOB COLEMAN]

Rats, Bob! Ya beat me to it .... I dallied trying to find other examples.

--Guy

Today was an unusual time for me to check the Forum.
There are examples where the Emura signature has been cut by a different hand. The speculation is that some of the prisoner students signed their own work but due to their status, could only sign the name of their teacher

[backwoods80]

First of all, great info! Thanks a bunch!
So, from the article, I gather that the blade was handmade sometime in the early 1940s correct? Were they given specifically to officers? And, as I'm sure you were expecting...what would the price range be for a sword like this?

[BOB COLEMAN]

It is an officer's sword issued to newwly trained officers. Value on Japanese swords can to be determined from pictures. It requires a hands on examination by a knowledgeable student of Nihonto.

[backwoods80]

Ok. Thank you very much for all the helpful information!

cheers!

[BOB COLEMAN]

As a sidenote, the quality of Emura swords can vary greatly depending on who actually made the sword. I once owned an Emura blade in military mounts that was made in a very unusual shape. It was so week, you could actually bend the blade with your hands, It certainly was not the work of the top guy.