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Need Some Help Translating My Grandfathers Old Sword


Alden83

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Hi, i have recently been given my Grandfathers old Katana that he was given during the second world war. I have had the sword refurbished as it was in a pretty bad state and had a new handle made as the one that was on it was not original and wrapped in a shoelace. 

 

The guy that i had it refurbished by and who made the handle, thinks that the sword was made by a Masu Mitsu but he was uncertain of where it was made or a possible date. After a little time he did end up thinking that it was made in Bisen and maybe as far back as 14/15 century. 

 

He thought the slimmer blade was more reminiscent of that time period, but he did say he would have expected the hole to be punched instead of drilled. On closer inspection he did say there is a possibility of the hole being re-drilled at a later date as part of the hole does seem to be pushed out. Ive tried to take pictures of this.  

 

I hope someone maybe able to provide me with more detail as i would love to know some of the history of the sword. 

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Any interesting war story about your sword?  Looks very nice with the new handle, congrats!

 

Unfortunately my Grandfather passed away before he could provide my dad or myself any information as to how he came about the sword. His wife did mention that she thought he had it presented to him as he was an officer on a ship, however he did also work in the ships stores so he may just have been able to grab it as a souvenir. Unfortunately we'll never know. The new handle really does look amazing on it, especially when compared to what was on the sword before. I think my grandfather may have had a handle made previously by an amateur enthusiast as it was a complete mess made out of mahogany and a shoe lace. When i took it in for the restoration the guy had a bit of a chuckle about it. 

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旭都住正光

 

bit of a strange mei imho. where is 旭都

 

any close ups of the blade itself?

 

The restorer also said that the mei was strange and that he hadn't come across it before. Im not sure why he now thinks it is from Bizen. Ive taken a few more photos to see if its any clearer. 

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Hi Alden is it? Please sign all posts as is the rules here. Welcome and congratulations about the sword, your Grandfather would be proud im sure. All the best.

 

Greg

 

Thanks Greg, 

 

I'm really pleased with how its come up as it was in a pretty bad condition. Thanks for the message,

 

Joe

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I think the new handle is not at all appropriate. It may help to secure the blade for the moment being, but in the end, another TSUKA (this time not with polished brass FUCHI and KASHIRA) will look much better.

Just my personal thought.

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