Inherited Swords

[Gerbil]

I have just recived 3 what i think are Gunto Naval Officers swords But I have no idea I have read some stuff off this forum and would really like any info you could give me. My wife's grandfather brought them back from the war but that is all we know about them.

[SwordGuyJoe]

The signed blade is Moriyoshi. Any chance we can get

A full picture of the nakago?

First is a stainless steel naval blade

Third is a mumei Wakizashi and my guess would be Shinto era - but more will chime in.

[Kronos]

Sword 1 is a naval kai gunto made from Stainless steel. They were made from Stainless steel for the Imperial Japanese Navy to resist salt corrosion and has the Naval stamp on the nakago to indicate this. The saya appears to be a relatively high quality one made of rayskin.

 

Sword 2 is an older traditionally made katana that probably dates between 1500-1750, hard to tell an exact age from the photo's. It looks to be in a good state of polish and may be quite good. It is signed by the swordsmith on the nakago and I'll try and translate it now.

 

Sword 3 might be a wakizashi (How long is the blade?) that's mumei (unsigned). It's in fairly low quality mounts and if I were to take a stab at age then it fits the shape of the Kanbun period (circa 1660).

[Kronos]

I'd say Moritaka 盛高 for the second one.

[Gerbil]

Here is a better shot of it I cant remove the metal peice it sticks dont want to hit it on anything to force it,

[Gerbil]

The 3rd from handle to tip is 23inchs if you want i can remove it from glass case and measure.

[Kronos]

The 3rd from handle to tip is 23inchs if you want i can remove it from glass case and measure.

 

I think it's safe to say it's a wakizashi (Under 60.6cm measuring from the mune-machi to the tip).

 

better photo'sof second sword including one of the full nakago and one of the bare blade including nakago would be useful.

 

Edit: I see you already posted one of the nakago.

[Kronos]

It'll be one of the Chikuzen Kongobyoe Moritaka's from the nakago shape. (the Kongobyoe school of swordsmiths working in Chikuzen province who signed using the art name Moritaka [this is usually one lineage passing the name from father to son].

 

This narrows it down to the muromachi period (pre-1600)

[Gerbil]

Thank you guys for the fast replies I have no clue on these but they are very nice looking and sharp cut my wife's table cloth when I turned them haha  

[Gerbil]

Any idea of value and would it be wise to have them sent to a polisher and restore them? I would love to desplay them in a nice glass locked case.

[Kronos]

http://www.nihontomessageboard.com/faq.html

 

You should read the bits on sword care and maintenance.

[Grey Doffin]

Hi, can we have your name please?

Here is a brochure on care and etiquette; you would be smart to read it.

http://www.nbthk-ab.org/Etiquette.htm

See the FAQs above for my take on whether you should have the 3 swords polished.  Basically, I say don't do it.  It will be very expensive to have it done right and disastrous if you have it done wrong and you don't know nearly enough to understand and appreciate and get benefit from the expense.  Keep the swords safe (not always a good idea to have them on display; 1st things to disappear if you suffer a break in) and take some time to learn about these swords.  Nihonto is a fascinating study but quite deep, nothing you can rush into.  Someday you might decide you want one of these blades polished and if you do it from knowledge all will be well.

Grey

[Gerbil]

My name is Brandon I am from Boise Idaho

[SwordGuyJoe]

I'd say Moritaka 盛高 for the second one.

You're absolutely right! I missed the shadow on the second kanji. Nice eye.

[SwordGuyJoe]

Based on the nakago jiri, I'd start looking to the Kongōbyōe lineage. They still make swords today with that same "peak" at the midpoint of the nakago. There was a Moritaka in Showa that changed his smith name to Yasuhiro (靖博), but that is likely newer than your sword.

 

Edit: I was beat to the punch again. Sorry for the duplicate