New zealand Japanese sword

[Derek F]

This week I purchased my first Japanese sword ,it is in poor condition ,chipped blade ,loose  handle ,and rusty or unpolished .But paid only $5 for it so its better than no sword . I have a friend in Japan who was able to read the tang for me and has translated it .It reads Kiyoshige Fujiwara   from Chosyu prefecture ,which changed its name 150 years ago  to Yamaguchi prefecture . Can any members help me with any more information on this sword ? What type of sword ? Year of manufacture ? etc .Maybe someone knows something ?

[Geraint]

Dear Derek.

 

Good $5!  The blade, the habaki, (blade collar) and the tsuba, (hand guard) are all original Japanese, the hilt may be a later addition.  Your sword appears to be a wakizashi, that is less than 24" from tip to the notch where the habaki fits.

 

There are seven generations listed from 1661 to 1844, determining which one is going to be very difficult I fear.  As you said the sword is out of polish and the chips in the edge look quite bad.  Have a look at some of the swords here,  https://www.aoijapan.com/  You will soon see what a properly polished sword looks like.  The hamon is the pattern of hardened steel along the edge of the sword and if the chips go through this into the steel of the rest of the blade then they are fatal.  

 

Whatever you do don't try and polish or restore this yourself, it needs properly trained experts. At the moment a light coating of thin oil will stabilise the blade.  Most people will tell you that the cost of the restoration will far exceed the value of the sword, but that's a topic for latter.

 

Welcome to this world and enjoy the sword.

 

All the best.

[Ken-Hawaii]

The mekugiana are chiseled, which points to earlier construction, but it's definitely Shinto. With what look like hagire, it's worth $5, but probably not $19.

 

Welcome aboard.

[Brian]

With an interesting combat cover on the handle, even as militaria it is worth a few hundred. You did well.