Help With Indentification Of Sword

[Panama22191]

Hello I was wondering if any one could help with this sword it was cut due to WWII size regulations and the name is partly missing. I was told it is very old but not sure how old. It has a Hirado Kunishige fitting I believe. The handle is in bad condition but the blade looks good. I just attached the tag it came with. The writing is very faded. I am fairly sure it had the officers name. My dad's friend picked it out of a pile during the War.

Thank You

Michael J.

[Surfson]

It looks to me like a traditionally made shinto blade that is in samurai mounts but with a WWII battle wrap on the saya.  The ito on the handle has come unwrapped.   The signature says kawachi no kami fuji....presumably wara kunisuke, but that is speculation on my part.  Here is a link to one of the kunisuke lineage.  They worked in early Edo, about 3-400 years ago.  I can't tell if the tip is broken off though, and this could be an issue.

 

https://www.aoijapan.com/img/sword/2018/18222-2.jpg

[Peter Bleed]

Terrific tsuba.. A real lust bug! Hirado Kunishige.

Peter

[ROKUJURO]

Michael,

I don't think your blade was shortened in that period of time but way before. General condition looks o.k. so congratulations.

Be sure to save the value of the whole in keeping moist and children's hands away. Read here on NMB about care and etiquette.
 

IDENTIFICATION of SWORD......It was cut due to WWII size regulations and the name is partly missing.......

[Panama22191]

I posted photo of tip. It looks intact.

[Geraint]

Dear Michael.

 

Congratulations, this is looking good though out of polish.  Don't do anything more than follow the guidelines that you find for care here.  This is a civilian katana that has had a leather combat cover added before being taken to war. as Robert has said.  There is an extra character cut above the signature, Ichi..  Add that tp your search.

 

I have to agree with Peter about the tsuba, well above the average for Hirado Kunishige and quite special.

 

Enjoy!

 

All the best.

[Panama22191]

What do you all think the fair market value for something like this as a complete package? Not sure if selling them apart is best idea. As in swapping the Tsuba out or selling it as a whole.

[Panama22191]

Would it be wise to take off the leather case? I am curious about the condition.

[Panama22191]

I just posted the tag photos.

[SAS]

Old leather tears easily, be careful if you try to remove the cover.

[PNSSHOGUN]

I would leave it alone, it has survived this long without being reduced to dust!

[Panama22191]

I am not removing it. Thought about it for one second but then its just knowing that it protected it for all those years. I can see a little of it and know its very nice condition.

[ROKUJURO]

I just posted the tag photos.

It looks as if a Lt. T. HORI from some 15th unit was the owner, but that has already been translated..