JeffreyM

Thanks guys! What interesting info!!! One thing I didn't know at all about before coming here was the value of fittings. I see that they are their own sub-market / collector genre, which is fascinating. What is a good source for an "official" value evaluation? Also, if it wasn't done in the traditional style, how was it done? I can tell it wasn't folded, at least there aren't any indications it was. So would it have been forged in a more modern style like getting a piece of high carbon tool steel and grinding it out? Or cast in a mold? or something else?

Awesome information! thanks! So if it was mass produced, would it me that Maekawa Sukefusa was just the smiths name lended to the factory? Also, since you mentioned value, how would I know the official value of the sword? It seems so subjective and hard to gauge, since even just searching "wwii katana value" is overwhelming. (the main reason I ask on value is that I want to make sure my Teachers Widow was not taken advantage of when I bought the sword. If it's worth a couple hundred, no problem. $100k, then I might need to take out a payment plan, lololol.) (I know it's not worth $100k, lol) Jeff

Yes, thank you! I have been wiping it off regularly after handling. I am going to read that page now. Do you think I should look to have it lightly polished? Something to clean it up a bit and let it last longer? Yes, thank you!

That's cool! What makes you say that? I like the wave design and it seems nice to have copper inside.

Bruce, You nailed it! And I am definitely hooked, lol. I feel a bit like Indiana Jones on an intellectual adventure. You're the best, I will be reading these articles while I pretend to work. hahaha

Coming right up! :-) See below Btw, I am learning a LOT on this thread. I have had a pretty good knowledge of katana parts before, but there have been so many new names that I have been looking up and learning about. Thanks! Jeff

I believe these are the pictures requested?

Thank you! No, this is the sword, haha. It's just the story I had received. I will attach the picture I think you want below! thanks. Thank you very much! How exciting! Is there anything that can be learned from reading up on smiths? Thank you! while I am very proud and grateful to have the sword... and I know how to use it... and have studied Japanese art and history... I don't know what this means on the basic level. I understand I have a WWII era sword. I appreciate it being an officially made Japanese Katana from an authorized smith. But what now? What's the next step in appreciating this swords part in history? I know it's a fairly modern piece, but worth preserving. But why? Jeff

Thank you everyone!!! I will look into this and check back in!!!

Sorry, I forgot to post my beginnings of a translation. But I think that the first part might say Awari Province

Hello! Long time lurker, first time poster. I had my mentor and friend and martial arts instructor pass away suddenly. He had an old katana he found at a garage sale. It was leaning against a barn and he asked about it. They said it wasn't for sale because it was their weed whacker! He offered them $25 and got it, his own special weed whacker. haha. He had the tang deciphered and said it was a 2 1/2 man sword. Meaning it was tested by cutting through 2.5 corpses. My mentor was prone to embellishment, but I always loved the story. So in the process of cleaning out his house, I bought the sword off his wife. I am thinking of mounting it with a plaque that reads "Weed Whacker". But I want to really read the kanji and know what the story of the mei is. So I have some pictures and a SUPER lame attempt to start deciphering it. Also, I might maybe have a dyslexic sword maker because the "Shu" or "Province" character is backward? lol. I kid, but it's a fun journey so far and I would be incredibly grateful if you folks could help me continue it.