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Page 613 in the Meikan - looks like only one generation used this title...

Mauro: I thought ko-kinko as well. It's odd that whoever put the shoami mei on it used the alternate form of the last character. Mysteries! Dale: That's great - really helps understand that shape! Robert

I don't think the tsuba was inverted it just shows signs of having been modified to fit a larger sword.

Not really a reader-friendly article either. It doesn't explain for example what 'kohoki' is supposed to mean. Here is a more detailed article in Japanese. 最古級の日本刀、なぜ天井裏に？春日大社、８０年前発見 (higashiyamatoarchive.net) Even so this is another reason to take that trip pilrimage to Kasuga Taisha and Nara Park.

Overcleaned for sure but the structure and detail remains in good condition. Better to need patina and be intact than to be corroded. Size wise they could [at a stretch] make a daisho as the themes, though different, still have elements the same. Stylised "lightning" [sometimes seen by some as a type of pine bark pattern] and Myoga [Japanese Ginger]. The smaller one with the addition of "fundo" [weight measures] and small birds. I agree with Dan - a better starting point to a collection than I had! An example in the Varshavsky collection has the pattern as "Ginger and double Diamonds" - like most 'abstract' designs the interpretation is up to the viewer. https://varshavskyco...collection/tsu-0308/

Yet still … is it ‘real?’

Yes, overcleaned by someone. But who cares! The last time I said something like that I was "jumped on" by a lot of so called tsuba "experts"!. But don't get me started on the negativity that this forum can create! I think your tsuba are nice tsuba to add to a collection for a new collector. Hell, I would like to add them to my collection! Someone has to give this type of tsuba a good home!!! Learn from them and appreciate them!! With respect, Dan

I've never seen one like it, although there has been a lot of "interesting" gunto koshirae coming out of Japan recently. I'm curious whether the saya is wood or metal, there seems to be a outline of a missing reinforcement band on the saya. The hanger is also mounted for the blade to be worn edge up. Its possible it got swapped around though. I have also not seen a hanger quite like that. The tsuka is also strangely carved away to fit the fuchi? Either ways its an interesting piece. Seems like a bit of work to go with this mod instead of a simple snap button and leather combat cover. Thanks for posting.

Can anyone tell me anything about this sword. I can take more pictures. My great uncle got this in the battle of biak. It’s mumei and has no markings of any kind. It’s got a faint hamonI

They did not unfortunately. I’d also love to see it assembled Link sent in a message

Did they have a photo of the whole thing fully assembled? If so, how about posting one, or posting the link so I can go look.

Not a mislead, John, as everyone is just speculating here.

Yes, you would have to advertise it as a Japanese sword replica. If you sold it in that display case, you might get a little more money for it that way.

Thank you Morita-san, I have not seen Sada expressed that way.

Certificate Edo Jidai, Zenki, Tokubetsu Kitchō. Tetsu Kuro Urushi Nuri Kitsuké Kozané Moegi ito odoshi Ni-mai Dō Gusoku

Kan someone translate what this says? Thank you.

Ah, thanks for that. I see what you mean! These Kozuka blade Mei were mostly (but not always) a dedication in admiration to a famous swordsmith, so they would be unlikely to tell you anything about whoever made the little blade itself. (Signatures you find on the Kozuka ‘fukuro’ however usually do indicate the artisan, though you need to watch out for fakes!)

Seems to be a corresponding pin on the fuchi as well. Could it have been part of a gunzoku kit? John C.

Hello, The mei of this wakizashi is Tsuda Echizen no kami Sukehiro. For me, when I compare with books, the mei looks good with nidai oshigata. As it is a big name with lot of gimei, I would like to have your opinion on this one. Thanks Sébastien

Both ji-sukashi kebori (地透 毛彫) decoration. Unfortunately badly overcleaned causing huge loss in patina.

Hi, 関住伊神貞弘作　(Seki-ju Igami / Ikami Sadahiro saku )

A classical ko-kinkō tsuba, the waves design clearly would lose coherence if mounted on a edge-down blade. The signature looks quite amatourish in its quality, so mayby someone has carved it as a personal (and wrong) attribution. Just my hypotesis.

This appears to be a showato arsenal blade by Tsuguhiro. The blade itself dates to the 1940s (as you indicated). It is not a fully traditionally made Japanese sword, but is an authentic antique of that time period.

I have no ideal about this sword, it was kept in my mom garage. She got it from her father who was a sniper in ww2. I also have a picture of him with this sword and other items in the newspaper back in the 40’s after the war. The sword isn’t in great shape. Thank you 😊