Help with identification

Hello everyone,

I'm a first time poster and was wondering if anyone could assist me in the identification of a sword. In short my knowledge is relatively basic and I require some assistance.

The sword in question has a Shōwa era Menuki as well as a stamp on the Tang, but I'd like to know if it is a genuine Guntō.

* Edit

I have now attached the images for the convenience of everyone. Please excuse my original post to those that saw it.

With the suggestion I should introduce myself could someone be kind enough to send me in the direction of the new members thread as I cannot seem to locate it.

Sorry not going to open it, wouldn't be prudent.

+1

Hi Jun/John:

When I get a post from someone I do not know that asks me to open a can of worms I pass on the offer. Please sign your posts with a first name and initial. Please take the time to introduce yourself in the introducing new members thread. I also suggest that you edit your email to include the photos. You will need to resize them to messagenboard requirements.

Hi,

Someone will challenge translation in English.

John,

Yes, it is a genuine Japanese sword, but not traditionally made. It looks like a very nice Showato.

Regards,

Hoanh

Not bad for a gunto. I like what I see.

KM

John,

 

Yes, it is a genuine Japanese sword, but not traditionally made. It looks like a very nice Showato.

 

Regards,

Hoanh

Thank you very much for the reply. Being Showato it would have been machine made and oil quenched to achieve the 'hamon'?

John,

A traditionally made sword, by definition, goes through the forging and folding process, and is water-quenched. Non-traditionally made swords have at least one of these elements missing - not necessarily machine-made and oil-quenched. From your pictures, I think I can see the hada, so it must have been forged and folded. So, oil-quenching would make it a non-traditionally made sword, indicated by the Showa stamp. I am only following logic here. Like I said, it's a very nice Showato.

Regards,

Hoanh

John,

 

A traditionally made sword, by definition, goes through the forging and folding process, and is water-quenched. Non-traditionally made swords have at least one of these elements missing - not necessarily machine-made and oil-quenched. From your pictures, I think I can see the hada, so it must have been forged and folded. So, oil-quenching would make it a non-traditionally made sword, indicated by the Showa stamp. I am only following logic here. Like I said, it's a very nice Showato.

 

Regards,

Hoanh

I am relatively familiar with the traditional process though not that of Showato. It is hard to tell from the images but after a closer inspection you can see the hada when holding the actual sword. Thank you so much for the information you have provided (an the others too of course). I cannot give enough thanks!

The beginning of the signature is beyond my ability to decipher but your smith's name is Masatsune.

Grey

?安来鋼天池正恒作之 ????Amachi Masatsune saku kore. This part is difficult, ?安来鋼 Is it talking about the quality of the steel? Steel made for the peace to come? I edited this as my first thoughts were wrong. John

It says motte Yasuki hagane Amachi Masatsune saku kore

(meaning: made with Yasuki steel)

We often see this inscription. Yasuki steel was made by the Yasuki Tekko Goshigaisha and was used as a tamahagane substitute.

http://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E5%AE%89%E6%9D%A5%E9%8B%BC

I completely forgot Yasuki steel. I even have an article about it archived. John

Thank you for nice reading of the signature, and explanation.

I think that the blade is bright and good jigane.

Yes,the signature of the tang says:

Amachi(family name) Masatsune made this(sword) from Yasuki steel.

It says motte Yasuki hagane Amachi Masatsune saku kore

 

(meaning: made with Yasuki steel)

 

 

We often see this inscription. Yasuki steel was made by the Yasuki Tekko Goshigaisha and was used as a tamahagane substitute.

 

http://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E5%AE%89%E6%9D%A5%E9%8B%BC

Chris, I can't thank you enough for this information. I can read the majority of the Kanji on the Tang but would never have been able to deduce this (I have a lot to learn). Also thank you for the link!

I completely forgot Yasuki steel. I even have an article about it archived. John

Thank you. I'll be sure to read it. I'd like to broaden my knowledge and this will help greatly. I appreciate it very much!

Chris, I can't thank you enough for this information. I can read the majority of the Kanji on the Tang but would never have been able to deduce this (I have a lot to learn). Also thank you for the link!

You are most welcome....