Japanese Officer sword

**RH1941** · 02-22-2020, 08:16 PM

Hello guys would like a little help on this sword. I've never seen the handle wrapped in leather. A friend has it and asked if i would like it.So i thought I would reach out to my friends here and see what you guys thought. Thank you for looking. If you guys need more photos let me know Gary thank you again

**Nick Komiya** · 02-22-2020, 08:52 PM

Looks like a Chinese fake to me, including the awkward mei engraved by a non-Japanese.

**RH1941** · 02-22-2020, 08:56 PM

Thanks Nick I was hoping you would see this post. Thank you

**Bruce Pennington** · 02-22-2020, 11:18 PM

Agree. It’s a fake.

**DaveR** · 02-24-2020, 01:32 PM

I was wincing as soon as I saw the tang.

**Alan M** · 02-24-2020, 02:09 PM

Me too Dave

**RH1941** · 02-24-2020, 02:42 PM

Thanks again guys. Does the tang even say anything or completely made up. Gary

**ghp95134** · 02-24-2020, 03:59 PM

by RH1941

...Does the tang even say anything or completely made up.

Hi Gary,

Just for fun:

兼六州光
Kaneroku Kunimitsu
Kaneroku can also be pronounced Kenroku, but I think a swordsmith's name would be Kaneroku.

I know the leading kanji looks like fish 魚, but it is supposed to be "Kane" 兼; compare the image which is 兼時 Kanetoki:

-- Guy

**Bruce Pennington** · 02-24-2020, 04:03 PM

Guy got here just as I was typeing.

**ghp95134** · 02-24-2020, 05:51 PM

Bruce, you said "... it looks to me like a really poor attempt at "Kane hisa ...."

Hmmmm .... I think you're on to something: maybe the faker was trying for Kanehisa!
兼久

The way he wrote that 2nd kanji, it sure does not look the way someone would write 六 6 ... even with a sloppy hand! [see image].
So, maybe he was trying to create 久 hisa. As Bruce said, there was a real smith named Kaneshisa, but this signature is still bogus since there is no smith called
兼久州光
Kanehisa Kunimitsu

-- Guy