Miniature Katana, What Are Your Opinions?

[Drago]

Hi guys,

 

I promised to show you the VERY intriguing sword I bought recently. Well, here it is:

 

It is a miniature katana signed 濃州住志津三郎兼氏之鍛 (Noshū Jū Shizu Saburō Kaneuji kore kitau) signed in toshin-mei.

 

I would not call this a chigozashi (boy's sword) because of the measurements:

nagasa 22.85 cm

mihaba 1.775cm

motohaba 1.375cm

 

It just seems too small for a boy's sword and too thin for a tanto. The blade geometry really makes it look like a miniature sword. (btw. It was sold as a puppet sword.)

 

The blade has seen some polishes and the current polish looks pretty good.

 

The hamon seems mostly yahazu with tobi-yaki and some gunome midare.

 

No hada visible but I think I see some nie.

 

The habaki seems to be made from solid silver (judging from the weight, no copper shining through, no green oxidation and no visible plating near scratches).

 

The questions I haven't been able to answer yet:

1. Who is the smith? There were 2 Kaneuji that signed similarly (KAN2864 and KAN2866).

2. What kind of sword is this really?

3. Would a solid silver habaki really be possible here?

4. What is the symbol on the nakago? It's the wrong way around for a katakana NA...

 

I'd like to hear your opinions about this sword! And don't mind sharing if you have any ideas on how to answer my questions.

 

   

 

(n.b.: Sorry about the quality of the photos. I'm not much of a photographer. Also, the photos aren't to scale, I just put some together as they came.)

[Grey Doffin]

Hi Tobias,

Signed on the blade with typical chippy signature seen on so many Gunto; I think this is a post war, made for tourists sword.  Shizu Saburo Kaneuji was a student of Masamune and the founder of Mino Tradition.  It's not uncommon to find these tourist pieces with very big names carved on them.

Grey

[Brian]

Looks like a proper hamon, and had a professional polish. I would suggest that it is above the usual tourist stuff. Maybe a dedication or homage, used for some or other ceremony. Nakago is well finished off, as are all the lines. Maybe it is made for the birth of a boy?

 

Brian

[John A Stuart]

I'm with you both. Post or near WW II era, but, for Boy's Day celebration for a well off family. Signature, ?? May not be relevant. John

[loui]

Like John said.  This is better than the touristy garbage or even poor quality Boy's day celebration blades I've seen.