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Posted

Gents,

    I was cleaning out some picture files and came across these.  This was a sword auctioned off on the internet a while back that I was intrigued by but did not bid, also I never got to ask the forum about the lack of ana.   I seem to have read a post maybe by Chris B a while ago about this aspect but could not find it.   Any info for my brain housing group floppy drive would be much appreciated.

 

Best Regards,

   Bob

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Posted

Shrine swords often weren't mounted so no need for ana, I'm presuming this is what that is. I remember seeing it at the time it was auctioned and thought it was interesting.

Posted

While rare, most of the WWII era blades found without a mekugi ana were simply not finished rather than meant as dedications to a shrine. Older blades are different and are in fact mostly made for dedication. If a WWII era blade, there will be signs that the blade was meant for a shrine- and inscription, quality of construction, etc. You generally won't find a showa-to meant for shrine dedication...

Posted

Also by law the sword is not finished unless you make an ana and sign it so this might be unfinished sword deemed unworthy by the smith and might have flaws etc. characteristics that the smith did not want in the blade and therefore did not actually "make" a blade as ready ones need to be reported and registered.

 

So mei might have been added later on by person purchasing that blade construct.

 

-Antti

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