can anyone help identifying this blade

[daleanson]

this blade came back with my uncle from ww2 can anyone help me identify it

[nulldevice]

津田近江守助直

 

Tsuda Omi no Kami Sukenao

 

__禄六歳二月日

I'm not sure on the first character but its likely Genroku 8, February (1696)

[Nobody]

FYI: A genuine Sukenao with the same date inscription (February 1693)

－　津田近江守助直 元禄六歳二月日 Tsuda Ominokami Sukenao　－　日本刀の通信販売　明倫産業株式会社

 

[daleanson]

On 5/10/2025 at 11:45 PM, nulldevice said:

津田近江守助直

 

Tsuda Omi no Kami Sukenao

 

__禄六歳二月日

I'm not sure on the first character but its likely Genroku 8, February (1696)

 

[daleanson]

thank you much does it look authentic to you

[daleanson]

On 5/11/2025 at 12:19 AM, Nobody said:

FYI: A genuine Sukenao with the same date inscription (February 1693)

－　津田近江守助直 元禄六歳二月日 Tsuda Ominokami Sukenao　－　日本刀の通信販売　明倫産業株式会社

 

 

[daleanson]

does this mean the one I have shown is a fake? my uncle brought it back with him after ww2 he always said he wished it to go back to the family 

[Geraint]

Dear Dale.

 

It is common to find perfectly genuine swords with the signature of a well known maker added.  Compare the signatures side by side and see what you think.  Note for example that the date on your sword is aligned in a different part of the nakago/tang.

 

The mountings for the sword are attractive in their own right and together this makes an interesting package so don't do anything hasty, just avoid touching the blade with your fingers, (it quickly rusts),  and wipe a little light oil on it, just a very thin coat.  This sword is not in military mounts, sometimes these come with a surrender tag from the owner, and so there is no real possibility of returning it unless you have some paperwork to go with it.

 

It would be nice to see a shot of the whole blade, the whole mount and the tsuba/guard if you could.

 

All the best.

[lonely panet]

12 hours ago, daleanson said:

does this mean the one I have shown is a fake? my uncle brought it back with him after ww2 he always said he wished it to go back to the family 

No that fairly tale about returning the old family sword.

 

 

[Bruce Pennington]

It has actually been done a few times, but it is very rare.

 

Dale, you have to have the name of its wartime owner, and without a surrender tag that is not possible.

[lonely panet]

Stll, Its abit of a fairy tale. Completely impractical.

 

But the motivation was a western sence of romance, was it not?.   Wasn't it first suggested in a newsletter/paper in the 60s/70. Its not like the Japanese families where roaming the world searching for lost part of them selves. 

 

"Important cultural assets not included in that sweeping statement"

 

And considering that 90% of the Japanese population are not interested in nihonto and then divide that by families that can trace their families heritage to the samurai class " suggested figures are 15%".  THEN who survived the war.

 Its very very small area of achievement or even wanting the sword back. 

 

So fairy tale

[daleanson]

I really do appreciate all the feedback I will post more pictures of said pictures. thank you all again it's the most insightful info I've been able to ascertain yet.

[daleanson]

On 5/19/2025 at 12:47 AM, Geraint said:

Dear Dale.

 

It is common to find perfectly genuine swords with the signature of a well known maker added.  Compare the signatures side by side and see what you think.  Note for example that the date on your sword is aligned in a different part of the nakago/tang.

 

The mountings for the sword are attractive in their own right and together this makes an interesting package so don't do anything hasty, just avoid touching the blade with your fingers, (it quickly rusts),  and wipe a little light oil on it, just a very thin coat.  This sword is not in military mounts, sometimes these come with a surrender tag from the owner, and so there is no real possibility of returning it unless you have some paperwork to go with it.

 

It would be nice to see a shot of the whole blade, the whole mount and the tsuba/guard if you could.

 

All the best.

 

[daleanson]

sorry it took so long to reply. it seems like my files are to large to reply I will figure out something and get back to you. thank you so much 

[daleanson]

[Brian]

To me, it resembles one of the well known horimono done during wartime, sometimes seen on Gendaito and wartime civilian swords taken to war

[Bugyotsuji]

Blade overall shape.

(Shapes of blades generally followed fashions down the centuries).

 

Dale, if you can remove the hilt easily, please lay out the whole blade left to right and/or right to left for an overall balanced shot of it, including the tip of the blade and the bottom end of the nakago tang.

 

PS When you handle it, use your fingers freely on the blackened tang, but do not touch the steel of the blade itself.

[daleanson]

On 5/10/2025 at 11:45 PM, nulldevice said:

津田近江守助直

 

Tsuda Omi no Kami Sukenao

 

__禄六歳二月日

I'm not sure on the first character but its likely Genroku 8, February (1696)

Thank you I do appreciate any and all I can get 

[daleanson]

On 6/23/2025 at 11:49 PM, Bugyotsuji said:

Blade overall shape.

(Shapes of blades generally followed fashions down the centuries).

 

Dale, if you can remove the hilt easily, please lay out the whole blade left to right and/or right to left for an overall balanced shot of it, including the tip of the blade and the bottom end of the nakago tang.

 

PS When you handle it, use your fingers freely on the blackened tang, but do not touch the steel of the blade itself.

I will certainly work on this and I remember when my uncle showed it to me I went to touch the blade my uncle stopped me and said he would cut my fingers off if I did I only handle it with gloves. Thank you much I will upload more photos soon.