DTM72

I recently saw an extremely large hira sankaku type yari that was approximately 2" wide (2.54cm) across the flat side, with a nagasa of about 10" (25.4cm). It had visible hada and hamon, just like a normal yari, just much bigger. I estimate it weighed about 5 pounds (2.27 kg) My question is this...With it being so large and heavy, would it have been mounted on a pole and wielded by an absolute giant? Or maybe it was thrown down like a spear from high upon a castle, using the high kinetic energy to penetrate heavy armor, kabuto, or makeshift shielding. Please help me figure this one out! My brain won't leave this one alone...maybe it was as simple as a temple offering. BTW, the one I saw was mumei, with one mekugi ana. There was a saya, as if it was mounted into something...just not sure what it was mounted to. Thanks everyone!

I'll try to take some good photos over the next few days of my, new to me, katana. Thanks again Mark Jones for the continued great deals! May need some help with thoughts on the NTHK papers.

Wife and daughters put up with my slow pace all day so biggest thanks to them. Sold a katana, bought a katana. Looked at some beautiful pieces and had many great conversations. Many thanks to Mark Jones for all my previous purchases and today's purchase as well.

I'll keep an eye open for you. I'll be the ugly white guy with 3 beautiful Asian bodyguards...(wife and 2 teenage daughters). They will probably be carrying a couple of my Nihonto. The daughters feel tougher than they already are when they are holding them. lol

Beautiful.

I'll be driving down from Charleston on Thursday night. I have to take the wife and kids to Epcot all day Friday, so I'll be attending the show on Saturday, and maybe sneaking back on Sunday to make purchases or trade.

I got to talking with a Constable (Retired Police Officer performing security) that was working at the local gun & knife show. He has a katana that came with a cloth surrender tag. Looking at the pictures he showed me, it appears to be an early shinto katana with a 2 hole suriage nakago with the original hole being 2.5 cm above the end of the nakago...was definitely a much longer sword. He would like to attempt to find the family of the person who surrendered the sword, and return to them, as a good will gesture. I agreed to help him, if possible. I made him aware that some families are very thankful and other families may reject the offer. He is prepared to accept the families wishes, if they can be found. Any help is greatly appreciated. Dan

I'll give that a shot Bruce.

Still hoping for a translation of the tag. Any help is appreciated.

I would lean more towards it being "Mother of Pearl". It is very similar to abalone shell, and can be found on Japanese beaches. This type of shell is very commonly found on the decorated black lacquer screens that are used as room dividers or a place to change your clothes. This style is mainly Chinese, but was also used in Japan. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nacre

It is a type 98. The maker of the blade was one of many 100's of WWII blade makers that made mass produced swords. If it were in good to excellent condition, these swords are collectable...BUT not nearly as collectable as blades from all the eras before WWII. If this exact sword was in the USA, just like you show it with missing pieces, it would sell for maybe $400-500...maybe.

Hidetoshi Ido 井 - I 戸 - do 秀 - Hide 俊 - toshi Please see the link below for another sword by Hidetoshi. The signature on yours, matches the one in the link below. https://bocho-kobidou.com/井戸秀俊銘９８式略式軍刀拵え入り　刀　/

That is some great information! Having a wife that appreciates my interests, and is also fascinated by Nihonto is both a blessing and a curse. She enjoys the shows as much as I do. Did I mention that she's beautiful too?

So, I need someone to distract my wife while I try to purchase stuff. that way, when she asks "How much was that?" I can say $1500. lol! If she is standing there with me, I can't trade-up on anything. if someone has some pretty things to distract her with, please flash them around! Seriously, I look forward to this event.

There should be more kanji below what you pictured in your second picture. That would be the month and possibly a day.

Erwin, Please see my reply above. Koki ni sen roppyaku (roku + hyaku) nen ju ichi gatsu hi: A day in the 11th month of 2,600th year of the imperial reign (1940). Was on some swords form the Showa era. Your month and day may be different. Koki (皇紀): the imperial calendar 二 Ni (2) 千 Sen (1000) 六 Rop or Roku (6) 百 Hyaku (100) 年 Nen (year) So, the 2 and the 1000 make 2,000, then the 6 and the 100 make 600. That gives you 2,600 years on the imperial calendar. https://Japan-forward.com/how-to-read-date-inscriptions-on-Japanese-swords/ Google is your friend.

Not sure which one, but there were three smiths using that signature during Showa times. Koki ni sen roppyaku (roku + hyaku) nen ju ichi gatsu hi: A day in the 11th month of 2,600th year of the imperial reign (1940). Was on some swords form the Showa era. Your month and day may be different. https://nihontoclub.com/view/smiths/list?id_op=%3D&id=&name_op=starts&name=kanemichi&kanji_op=%3D&kanji=&province=All&start_era=245&school_nid=All 兼道作

No help on this?

He only showed me pictures on his phone. He lives about 15 miles from me so I may be able to meet with him for some better pictures.

I got to talking with a Constable (Retired Police Officer performing security) that was working at the local gun & knife show. He has a katana that came with a cloth surrender tag. Looking at the pictures he showed me, it appears to be an early shinto katana with a 2 hole suriage nakago with the original hole being 2.5 cm above the end of the nakago...was definitely a much longer sword. He would like to attempt to find the family of the person who surrendered the sword, and return to them, as a good will gesture. I agreed to help him, if possible. I made him aware that some families are very thankful and other families may reject the offer. He is prepared to accept the families wishes, if they can be found. Any help is greatly appreciated. Dan

Many thanks to all that replied. Much Appreciated!

Wandering through a local gun show and found a nice tsuka with a beautiful signed fuchi and kashira. Translation help is greatly appreciated!