meandhim

Thanks to everyone for your quick replies. So I understand that the sword in the dark (dragon) sheath is a fake/reproduction. The middle one is a WWII sword (1943). I couldn't find any markings on the shorter sword in the plain lighter wood sheath. It may be under the handle like it is in the middle one. If the blade on the smaller sword is made from Damascus and therefore not Japanese would it be American made? Are Wakizashi and Shirasaya names of swords? Sorry for all the questions. I'm trying to educate myself on this type of collectible and I promise not to rest them on the floor...Judith

I have 3 Japanese swords. One of them is in a dark wood sheath with carved dragons. It has hand signed Japanese letters on the blade. The other 2 are in plain lighter wood sheaths and the since the fitting (I think it's called tang) is loose I was able to remove the handle where I found Japanese characters carved in the blade. I was not able to get under the handle of the smaller sword. Any help concerning translations or something about the swords would be very much appreciated. I am new to this forum and I have added several pictures but I don't know if I did it correctly. Let me apologize in advance if I did something wrong. I'm always willing to learn and I do try my best. Thank you in advance.