PNSSHOGUN

While the Mei is certainly ambitious, the blade appears to be a real Japanese sword. The Horimono appear good at first glance but the quality isn't particularly impressive.

Recall a Gimei sword (can't remember the exact smith) that was attributed as being made by Gassan Sadakazu, it may have been NTHK papered.

Having some form of required gold membership or one off fee to post sales would at least allow the forum to recover some money on sales. It's only fair you can keep this board running efficiently without worrying about next months bills.

For comparison:

The Kinzogan is very crudely executed, suspect this is fairly recent and done for nefarious purposes.

Odd as it may seem a similar sword came up a year or two ago, good quality early mounts with a 1990's blade made to fit it. No Shirasaya either.

That's absolutely heartbreaking, prayers going out to his wife and family.

This is pretty depressing: https://www.aoijapan.com/katana-sun-pu-on-motsu-masamune-honawritten-seal-mark/

Some further information here, I will clarify that there's no monetary value but there may be sentimental value for your relative. https://www.jssus.org/nkp/fake_japanese_swords.html

Hello Greg, unfortunately these are all modern low quality reproductions with little to no value.

The mei is Bishu Osafune xxx (likely Sukesada) and dated 1500's. The mounts are traditional but seem unlikely to have been carried during the war.

More likely a Fukure.

Considering the pedigree of former V&A curators and presentations, this is rather insipid. Looking at the other exhibitions this fellow has put together you don't hold high hopes of the situation improving.

The statement of using gun bore cleaner and mineral spirits to clean Tsuba seems completely at odds with the below advice: https://japaneseswordindex.com/tsuba/tsubacln.htm

Nihontoclub index can still be accessed but you need to register as a member.

Hello Steve, there is scant information on Tsugunobu available and you have most of it already. He originally signed Kaneharu and studied under Ryunsai Kanetomo, along with Tsugumasa and other Gunma province smiths. After that he became the 16th student of Kasama Ikkansai Shigetsugu and changed his Mei to Tsugunobu. He was ranked East Block Komusubi in the 1943 Gendai Tosho Banzuke list. His work (published online) isn't seen very often, if you have photos of a sword and Mei I would be interested to see them. The below is from Malcolm Cox: The following article has a good deal of information, although the lineage incorrectly placed Tsugamasa under Kaneharu: https://www.nihontocraft.com/Kanetomo.html George Trotter and Mal Cox provided the following entries from Japanese sources, included is a nice example in my collection that has a special order Mei:

If you have any more pictures of the mounts we'd love to see them, sometimes you can find the officers surname on the guard under the fittings with these.

That is a very fine Daisho, can't recall seeing one with with matching cutting tests before.

Very nice indeed, it appears to be an Utsushi of Yokoyama Daijo Sukesada.

Thanks for sharing, is one of them in military mounts?

The extra material around the Sarute looks to be based off a particular style of mounts often found on Koa Isshin Mantetsu swords: https://www.artswords.com/Mint_Imperial_Japanese_Generals_Gunto_Mounted_Katana_020308.htm

If you can confirm it was brought back from WWII then it may have been made in a Japanese occupied territory.

Original boxed tassels that have come and gone over the years: Company & Field grade General grade Field grade Kyu Gunto

Nice looking sword, it's an early Type 94 pattern of good quality (note separate Sarute and Mon on Fuchi). The Mon is a variation of Daki Myoga (embracing ginger leaves) rather than Paulownia, unfortunately you won't have much luck narrowing down officers based on the Mon. You may find the officers surname on the fittings or under the Fuchi if you're lucky. The blade appears to be a 1930's Showato, I once had a very similar sword likely from the same shop. As the battle of Iwo Jima is relatively well documented you may be able to find detailed Japanese unit documents or staff photos from the 109th Division: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/109th_Division_(Imperial_Japanese_Army)

Many of us would appreciate some photos of the tables and show if possible.