I have 2 old Japanese swords that I would like some information and advice about. Photos of inscriptions on one of them attached

[Babyboomer1]

[Babyboomer1]

Photos of 2nd sword charaters. Please note second sword tang is difficult yo decifer as it is pitted from age although the blade is in good order and clean.

Any information would be greatly appreciated.

[mecox]

This may help.  Tenshozan Tanrenjo naval, date Showa 17 (1942) Nov

 

          

[mecox]

@Babyboomer1     Ken, here are the pics correct way up, but they dont show much.   One shows part of name "Mitsu"  the other part of date "16" which likely is 1941.  Unfortunately the cleaning/polishing of tang has ruined the value.

You  need to show the rest of blade and fittings.

 

   

[Babyboomer1]

Hi Mal, Thank you for the information. I will take so photos of the blades etc on the weekend and post them here.

Regards

Ken

[Babyboomer1]

[Bruce Pennington]

Ken, 

You Tenshozan blade has navy tsuba/seppa (hand guard and spacer) but an army saya (scabbard).  Don't know who matched them up that way, but it wouldn't have been that way originally.

 

The second is in army fittings.  The wooden saya originally would have had a leather cover.  Check the brown tassel for any signs of faded blue or red.  If none, then this sword was carried by someone in the Gunzoku, the civilian branch of the army. 

[Babyboomer1]

Hi Bruce, thanks for the information. I don,t know anything about the swords history. My Father saw front line action at Kokoda in WW2 and I assume the swords came via New Guinea.

I have added 2 photos of the tang of the blade that does not have a handle. Perhaps the inscritions may provide more information.

Many Thanks

Ken