WW2 Sword or Earlier?

[atomictraveler]

I am trying to find the age of this sword.  A Japanese friend said he thought this was a Fujiwara Kanetaka fake but likely several hundred years old. 

 

 

 

[NewB]

Hello 

 

Tough to say categorically with such limited photos and no dimensional information but to me it looks -

 

Older! Something off with the signature on preliminary look so more photos would definitely reveal more information!

 

Search in the help section or online how to take care of older Japanese blade until you decide its fate - whether to paper and restore and keep or sell. Cheers!

 

J.

[Stephen]

Looks Shinto to me... I can't make a call if gimei or not

[atomictraveler]

Thanks.  I should have added more information.  The total length is about 60 cm--48cm for the blade and 12 cm for the metal hilt shaft.   My Japanese friend says this is likely a "Mino Shinto". 

 

This was a sword my father brought back from Japan after WWII.  He was in the Army of Occupation so this was likely in a pile of confiscated weapons the GIs grabbed for souvenirs.

[atomictraveler]

Pics of length and Hamon.

[SteveM]

Your friend is right, it is indeed a Fujiwara Kanetaka fake. Not sure if Mino is right. Shinto, yes, but Mino... I don't think so. 

 

藤原金高作　Fujiwara Kanetaka saku

 

Possible to get a close-up of the bottom end of the tang? There are some kanji characters there I would like to see.

[atomictraveler]

[atomictraveler]

Steve-

 

I used some Corn Starch to see if I could get the images to highlight.  It was a mixed success. I am going to try some carbon paper next.

[SteveM]

嘉 is one of the characters.

Normally I would think it's part of an era name - 嘉永 (Kaei, 1848-1855) but the bits before and after aren't right, and the era is completely wrong for Kanetaka - even for someone faking Kanetaka. A mystery for now. 

[atomictraveler]

Steve-  Many thanks for your information and insight.  I have added two more images in hopes this can help.