Unknown WW2 Era Short Sword

[Stingray8]

I was recently given this sword and told that it was from a WW2 Officer.  I have been trying to get more info about it, but have not been able to find any pictures of similar swords.  Any info on age/origin/history, and value would be greatly appreciated.  I will not be selling it, as I think it's an interesting historical item.  That being said, I'd like to know if it's valuable enough that I should be insuring it.

 

Thanks!

[Bruce Pennington]

It may say on the saya (wooden case), but if not, it would greatly help if you tapped out the small peg in the handle that covers the nakago (tang).  If it is signed and dated, you will find writing there that can be translated.

[John C]

22 hours ago, Stingray8 said:

it was from a WW2 Officer.

Adam:

Just another note about ww2 Japanese swords. They were required to be a certain length; even the "short swords" (about 21 inches minimum for the blade). Could an officer have carried his own personal sword without military fittings? Probably, though the length of your sword would suggest it was not issued during the war. 

But as Bruce said, you will need to have a look at the tang to be certain. 

John C.

[Grey Doffin]

This is not a military sword and it wasn't carried during the war. This is an older, Samurai sword in storage mounts (shirasaya), which has no method to attach it to a soldier. Most likely this was picked up by a US soldier after the war in occupied Japan.

Here is a care and handling brochure you should read:

https://nbthk-ab2.org/sword-characteristics/

This will show you how to properly remove and replace the handle. As mentioned, if you can give us decent photos of the sword's tang (nakago) and of the writing on the scabbard, we will be able to tell you more. Take the pictures on a dark background; light colored backgrounds make it difficult to see details on darker objects.

Grey

[Tensho]

Grey is spot on. Probably turned in or acquired other ways(by a U.S soldier) but not taken from a Japanese soldier. 

 

As a side note, I have a 18" wakizashi resting in leather "combat" saya and tsuka with army menuki(gunto) and brown tassel. Carried by gunzoku.

[SteveM]

Hello Adam, was any of this information useful to you? Are you able to take the handle off to see the tang?

 

[Stingray8]

Thanks for all of your feedback.  I've been slowly reading up on the some of the history and terminology surrounding these swords, and was really excited (and embarrassed of my ignorance) to hear how old this sword may actually be.  It's awesome to potentially own a piece of history from that era.  I was able to carefully remove the handle the other night and did my best to get clear pictures of the characters in the tang.  It was very difficult to get good pics, given the pitting that has occurred over time.  I attached a couple pictures below, and here is a dropbox link to see the full collection of pics so I don't go over the data limit.  https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/bn19uchj8gsf0xs2w3m3o/h?dl=0&rlkey=fsavsze6b179chlb8clirh0ys

I am happy to take more pics or a video if anyone has an idea of how to get a clearer shot.  I considered trying to trace over a paper on top of the characters, but have not tried that yet.  Thanks!

[SteveM]

Good stuff. No need to trace over the mei. It reads

 

備前国清光  Bizen-no-kuni Kiyomitsu

 

Basically "Kiyomitsu from Bizen (province) made this". This is repeated on the scabbard, along with the measurements of the sword (using the traditional Japanese units of length): 長サ壱尺五寸貮(分)　1 shaku, 5 sun, 2 bun, or about 46.05 cms. 

 

There are at least 7 or 8 smiths named Kiyomitsu who worked in Bizen. I'm guessing this is from the mid-to-late 1500s. Hard to pinpoint the exact one. Looks like your blade was once longer, and was shortened, necessitating the opening of a new hole on the tang. This is very common. Unauthenticated wakizashi aren't super valuable unless they are from a very well-known smith and are in pristine condition and authenticated by one of the trusted (ymmv) authorities. Yours doesn't come with any of those nice attributes, but its still a good antique and a genuine Japanese sword. Maybe $2000 for insurance purposes, if you are so inclined.