Puppet or boy's sword

[Drago]

For sale is something unusual.

 

I was told this is a puppet or boy's sword, but I'm not entirely sure...

 

The sword is signed on the blade itself:

 

Quote

Noshū Jū Shizu Saburō Kaneuji kore kitau

 

On the Nakago there is a single kanji that looks like the kanji for number 7 upside down

 

Nagasa: 22,85cm

 

The sword is in a shirasaya with blackened copper fittings. The tsuba is polished horn. I made the tsuba myself as the sword came without it and a large gap between saya and tsuka.

 

The habaki is silver or silver-coated.

 

A tassel is also present.

 

I was sceptical about it being a real sword at first, but a hamon is visible, polishing lines (forgot the proper term) under the habaki and on the back of the kissaki.

 

Looking for €800 (or best offer)

If possible, a fast sale would be good. 

 

Sale in Germany or Austria preferred, but not exclusive.

 

The pictures are from the eBay auction.

 

(I can take more pictures if you need some, just give me a bit of time to take them please.)

 

 

Also see my other sword: 

 

[Bruce Pennington]

Tobias,

Quite an interesting piece!  Have you had the writing on the blade translated?

 

Have you seen miniatures made for puppets before?  We've discussed  "boy swords" a few times, but this one seems even smaller than that.

[Kiipu]

On 8/5/2021 at 2:41 AM, Drago said:

On the Nakago there is a single kanji that looks like the kanji for number 7 upside down.

 

Loooks like katakana character NA.

ナ = NA.

[Drago]

7 hours ago, Bruce Pennington said:

Have you had the writing on the blade translated?

 

It says: Noshū Jū Shizu Saburō Kaneuji kore kitau

That's the signature.

 

4 hours ago, Kiipu said:

Loooks like katakana character NA.

ナ = NA.

That's what I thought at first. But the vertical stroke is angled in the wrong direction. Someone told me it looks more like NANA 七 (number 7)

 

I know boy's swords come up in discussion and/or sale from time to time. But usually they are much larger. I had heard of puppet swords used in bunraku puppet plays. And the size would fit. But this would be the first one I have ever actually seen!

 

It is also much too slender to be a tanto.