Tanto Translation

[Rifleman]

I have this Tanto from a friend of mine.He and I are new to Japanese swords.WE would like to know what the tang markings mean.We know not to clean or otherwise do anything to the tang.Possibly the maker and mabe the age.There are not a lot of charaters on it and it looks like one of the holes went through one of them.Any help is appreciated.Thank you.

 

 

Dale

[Stephen]

Kunimitsu

Id guess koto

Id clean the blade only with goo gone or goof off.

https://images.app.goo.gl/E5R25WFfvFSqBPTU7

[Grey Doffin]

Hi Dale,

It is Kunimitsu and it wants us to believe it is Shintogo Kunimitsu, the #1 tanto maker of all time.  First glance to me looks to be a forged signature (not legitimate. See below for the real thing from Fujishiro's book) but I can be mistaken and given how important this would be if it is correct, you need to proceed with care.  DO NOT CLEAN OR TRY TO REPAIR ANYTHING IN ANY MANNER, PERIOD, NO EXCEPTIONS.  Any amateur repairs can do irreversible damage.  Someone who knows what he is looking at needs to see the tanto in hand.

Grey

[Stephen]

Greys advice is safest.. If your told its covered with cosmoline or varnish maybe youll find someone you can trust to not ruin its value.

[Stephen]

PS

I've used above cleaning with a conservator of a Museum but what do I know

[Brian]

Goo-Gone, isopropyl alchohol etc are fine on the blade (not tang)
Would be nice to be able to see any hamon. This is old, and even if gimei it might be a nice tanto. Other than that...as per Grey, do the minimum. End with oiling the blade, and keep it lightly oiled.
 

[Rifleman]

Thanks for all the advice.When you say forged signature,do you mean a modern fake?Weren't forgeries also done in ancient times to fool buyers back then?

 

Dale

[Rifleman]

Hamon is the temper line,correct?If I could get better photos vwould it show,possibly?

 

 

Dale

[Stephen]

Hold the blade at angle to light bulb..look down the blade ..the hamon will show if visible.

[Grey Doffin]

Forgeries of important signatures have always been a problem, going back centuries.

Grey

[Jacques D.]

Lot of Kunimitsu in Koto era..  This tanto seems being uchi-sori, right ? 

 

Nagasa ?

[Tom Darling]

This reminds me of a question I've been wanting to ask.  Some kantana found in gunto mounts have a coat of cosmoline or other, were they coated by the Japanese or Americans?  I believe I used alcohol or acetone to remove. Thank you.

 

 

Tom D.

[Mark S.]

Dale,

Depending on where you live in the US, there are a few sword shows each year.  If you get a chance to go to a show, it is a good opportunity to have your blade inspected in-person by qualified individuals. 

Mark