ROKUJURO

Johnny, these photos are probably historically interesting and rare! Where did you get them from?

Dutch is not a language, it is a throat disease!

Can I send you a "P" for your headline?

Of course it is/was a genuine Japanese blade, but unfortunately, the "cleaned" NAKAGO makes it almost worthless.

And he posted in the wrong section plus the photos are really bad..... Let's give him a second chance next time!

Colin, thank you for your kind words! Your grandfather was in Japan as one of the earliest Europeans and just at an important threshold of Japanese history! He would have seen medieval Japan trying to become a modern nation in a very short period of time! How fascinating that must have been, and how difficult with no internet to ask question, no English speaking Japanese, and no Westerners knowing manners nor language! That would be a topic for a nice film!

That sounds very strange to me and like a translation mistake. I would imagine that making a copy or TSUNAGI was meant.

James, the HAMON-like spots on the back of the blade are called MUNEYAKI. They are only found on traditionally made blades. In case you search for MINO KANEMOTO school, maybe something comes up. If the blade would be worth a tarditional polish is up to you and your wallet. You will be looking at $ 2.500.-- or more, but I believe it will be a pleasure to look at then, and it will teach you a lot more than now with a nice HADA on the surface.

Hi Colin, take your time to make good photos in case you want help, so we can see details. The above additional photos do not show much. There seems to be a HAMON, but no details like NIE, NIOI or HADA are visible. Again, for good contrast images, use a plain dark background and a dark room (which will avoid reflections), preferably with a single spotlight, and show the whole blade tip-uwards, without TSUBA, SEPPA, or HABAKI. Your sword looks like an authentic civilian Japanese blade, mounted in a military SAYA (= leather covered scabbard). HABAKI looks nice, TSUBA cannot be seen properly. Is there something (a date?) chiselled on the URA (other side) of the NAKAGO? The photo does not allow to see it clearly. Private swords (not always "family heirlooms") are seen being adapted for combat use in WWII with a military SAYA and, sometimes, other military mounting parts. The original WWII blades were mostly in the 630 mm range, but other dimensions occured as well. WAKIZASHI sizes are less common.

Steve, AUSPICIOUS is not the same as SUSPICIOUS. Read slowly and loud, that will help!

Hi Colin, welcome to the NMB forum! Your WAKIZASHI (not Wakazashi) seems to be signed HIDA no KAMI FUJIWARA UJIFUSA. https://www.nihontocraft.com/Hida_no_Kami_Ujifusa.htm I will add that a signature alone is not always enough to assign a blade to a swordsmith. The features of a blade have to be confirmed by the characteristics of the swordsmith's certified works. If you showed us the whole blade (tip-uwards, plain dark background, dark room, light from the side, naked blade/no HABAKI), the sword experts here may give you a more competent comment on it.

Yaga the blade master (there are not many of these around), is there a reason why you posted this in the military section?

So a NI MAI construction with brass! This is not difficult to solder or to fuse (= MOKUMEGANE technique) together, but all in all, it must have been a heck of work to complete! Very extravagant! Thank you Piers for showing!

There seems to be some kind of gold (?) decoration (?) on the other side.

Congratulations, and all the best for the three of you! All other projects can wait!

Not with these photos.

Hi Mark! Welcome to the NMB forum! Your TSUBA is interesting and looks quite unusual to me. Is it magnetic?

Well, then you should absolutely get into contact with our Ray Singer (who commented above) as he is located in Florida as far as I know.

I agree, it is not a SUSHI knife nor a SOSHU knife! Joel, some details let me believe this could be an older (400 years +) sword that should be seen by an expert. Perhaps you find an NMB member near you to give you some hands-on advice. In the meantime keep it away from moisture and children. There is no 'light restoration'. Having it polished in Japan or by a traditionally trained polisher will cost about $ 1.500.-- I believe. As you have no rust on the blade, this is not urgent if you can keep it that way. Get informed here on the board about this complex world of Japanese swords!

Ian, looking at the NANAKO-JI, I think it is a bit "random". The general appearance puts more weight on the decoration rather than on the basic work, so I would not exclude the possibility that this one is a better quality NAGOYA-MONO item from the end of the 19th century. More good images might prove me wrong, as so often.

Might represent an ink stone?

I liked that one:

This thread should be in the TOSOGU section I think.

Simon, probably not, but not often seen and so possibly interesting for some collectors.

Ryan, it is certainly not bronze, but as I suspected, a soft copper alloy. As sheet metal, it was easy to work with. The decoration was either made in a press-mold or with UCHI DASHI technique. Whatsoever, an interesting item!