Bade

Thanks Jean and Mark

Hi Jean Thanks for your quick reply, I'm Gary by the way. A Tanto it is then, and thanks for the tip upwards pointer - I'm guessing that this is down to tradition? Regards Gary

Hi all First of all thanks to the administrators for setting up this forum and letting me join. My main interests are in the early 20th C and WWII era, specifically relating to Japanese Military swords (I understand there's a dedicated forum for this), but I've also picked-up an earlier sword that I'm looking to find out a bit more about. It's blade tip to tang is 29cm which makes it slightly short for a Wakizashi, but I'm not sure if it's a Tantō - any opinions appreciated. A few pictures are included, it's quite ornate and has a Kogatana and Kōgai in the Saya. The Tang is also signed 氷心子秀世, which I've been advised is Hyoshinshi Hideyo. Could anyone shed any further light. Many thanks