Use Of Real Ray Or Shark Skin And Black Ink On Tang

[fit4life]

I inherited this sword from my grandfather, I have been unable to locate any other sword with actual ray or shark skin on the handle and I cannot find out what the writing is on the tang. Can anyone help? I am including some photos. Thank you!!!

[nagamaki - Franco]

Looks to me like a WWII oil tempered sword in which case should be posted in Military Swords of Japan forum.

[Geraint]

Hi James.

 

(Please add your name to your posts so we know who we are talking with)  Franco is probably correct in his assessment but a picture of the whole tang,and preferably the other way up, ie,the tip of the nakago pointing down, would be interesting.

 

Your other point is slightly odd as almost all Japanese swords have the hilt covered in same or ray skin if you prefer. This is usually underneath the silk wrap.  Also quite a high proportion of European swords and indeed many others have sharkskin as a hilt covering material.

 

Your sword deserves a little tender care, have a look for sword care guidance at the top of the home page.   (Had a look and can't find a direct link so try this one, http://www.japaneseswordindex.com/care.htm   or bettter yet this one, http://www.nbthk-ab.org/Jap_Sword_Care.html)

 

All the best

[SteveM]

Yes I was wondering about the shark/ray skin comment as well, and I think he must have meant that he can't see any on his hilt(?). It looks like the ray skin has perhaps degraded and crumbled and fallen away. It is not unusual, especially if the thread wrapping has come undone as has happened on one side of your hilt. 

 

There is no inscription on the tang, just some marks that have been painted on (again, this is normal for WW2-era blades). It looks like there is 西 (west) and some other mark on the blade. It is not the name of the swordsmith. Its usually some other identification mark that has been lost to time. 

[fit4life]

Thank you Gentlemen, much appreciated, James

fit4life