Mei inscription katana WW2

[Joris]

Good evening,

 

I would like some assistance in translating the mei inscriptions on this katana.

 

Kind regards,

 

Joris

Belgium

[Brian]

This doesn't feel right. Possible fake?

[Ray Singer]

I am sorry for the bad news Joris, but this one is not authentic. Please see below. 

 

https://www.jssus.org/nkp/fake_japanese_swords.html

[Joris]

Thank you Brian and Ray,

 

I have this sword in my possesion for about 12 years now, thinking it is a genuine piece.

I really appreciate your sincerity.

 

Thank you for the informative website. I have provided 2 more images of the blade itself. 

 

Kind regards,

Joris

 

 

[Lexvdjagt]

Unfortunately clear examples of inauthentic Nihonto. If you want to get into the hobby then I would recommend going to a sword meetup. In hands experience is vital to learn in this hobby.

[Bruce Pennington]

Damascus steel was (and is) used by the Chinese.  Are the fittings in the style of WWII Japanese military?  If not, it may simply be something made in China for the Chinese.  Most we see here, though, are trying to imitate WWII Japanese military.

[Joris]

Dear Bruce,

 

Fittings seem like original Japanese to me. Based on books I have (Japanese Military Swords and Civil Dirks, Richard Fuller), i cannot tell this is counterfeit.

 

It is s

[Rawa]

There is a lot of empty koshirae around ready to be reused. Notice tsukamaki [wrapping] should be alternate, diamond shaped.

Tsuka ito looks suspicious. [Color, texture and thickness]

Also your blade is made of damascus steel?

Nakago is banana shaped to fit tsuka?

Give us habaki and sarute [probably added separately] close up please.

I will attach wakase [gilded?] T98 with modern blade.

Just look at first photo on habaki and seppa from edge side, you see clearly how bigger original habaki was.

https://ebay.us/m/P4lM5q

 

Ofcourse omura too

http://ohmura-study.net/903.html

 

Edited September 28 by Rawa

[John C]

4 hours ago, Joris said:

i cannot tell this is counterfeit

Joris:

I believe Marcin is correct. Fittings are easy to get and the handle has been rewrapped. We have a saying: "buy the blade", meaning studying the blade should come before looking at the fittings. Damascus type pattern, odd carvings, oddly shaped nakago, oddly shaped kanji, and the Chinese style of ito wrap are good indicators of something made in China for the tourist market. But if the fittings are real, then at least you do have something to display.

 

John C.

 

[Rawa]

https://www.jssus.org/nkp/fake_japanese_swords.html

[Joris]

Hello Marcin,

 

Thank you for your answer. I have added some fotos of habaki and sarute.

 

Kind regards,

 

Joris

[Bruce Pennington]

Joris, the fittings look pretty good.  Looks like someone obtained WWII fittings (you can find the for sale without a blade) and put them on a Damascus blade.

 

The date is October 1938.  

 

Is anyone able to read the smith name?

[mecox]

@Bruce Pennington   mei can be read as Kuroda Saburo more like a copied real name,  and yes date is Showa 13 (1938) October.  Cutting is rather strange style.