Japanese Officers sword

[RH1941]

Hi guys a friend just picked up this sword and sent me some photos . I work midnights so these are the best photos I can post . I will have him send better in the morning. Could anybody help with the translation. Thank you for any help guys. Gary

[Bruce Pennington]

Gary,

The real pros will join in shortly, but in the meantime - the all brown tassel is considered to be a late-war army officer tassel. Earlier models had brown/blue for Company grade, and brown/red for Field grade officers.

The 2 holes usually mean that this blade pre-dated the war and was re-fitted with army regulation fittings for the war.

[ghp95134]

Well ... it looks like
信濃守弘包
Shinano no Kami Hirokane

Except .... that fourth kanji doesn't match the on on your tang (or it is too stylized for me to recognize). To me, that kanji looks like
方厶
Actually, I had to put together two separate radicals to build that "kanji" because that one is not in the dictionary.


But I don't know if it is authentic ... wait for one of the experts to opine.

More information:

Hirokane Genealogy

Hirokane, Page 81


--Guy

[RH1941]

Thanks guy I will pass on the information.Bruce I also thank you I didn't know that about the tassel. Its a good day I have learned something.

[BOB COLEMAN]

this appear to be a correct signature from the group that worked in Osaka.

[RH1941]

Thanks Bob he will be happy to hear that

[RH1941]

A few more photos