Translation and ID Help: Inherited Katana with Dragon Motif

[GreggM]

Hello everyone,

I am a new member looking for some assistance in identifying and translating an inherited Japanese sword. It has been in my family for some time, and I am finally looking to document its history and origin properly.

Details of the blade:

• Theme: The fittings (koshirae) feature a consistent dragon motif, particularly on the metallic collars and the end-cap of the scabbard.

• Scabbard: Deep red/maroon lacquer.

• Tang: The blade is signed on the tang with several chiseled characters. I have included clear shots of the inscription and the filing marks.

What I am hoping to learn:

1. Could someone help translate the signature (mei) on the tang?

2. Does the blade appear to be a traditionally made piece (Nihonto) based on the tang and geometry?

I have organized detailed photos of the blade, the disassembled fittings, and the signature in this album: Dragon Katana Photo Album

Any insights or guidance you can provide would be greatly appreciated. Thank you for your time and expertise!

Best regards, Gregg

[eternal_newbie]

I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but this sword is a fake Japanese sword, manufactured elsewhere (likely China or Thailand). Whomever gave this to the family member you inherited this from was either part of the deception, or themselves a victim of it.

 

Please refer to this page for a visual guide to the various tells that this is a forgery: https://www.jssus.org/nkp/fake_japanese_swords.html

 

As this is probably not the news you want to hear, you can get a second opinion here if you wish (but be warned, they are often less diplomatic than we are here): https://www.reddit.com/r/Katanas/

[GreggM]

Wow, that is quite shocking and disappointing to say the least.   My father was an antique broker and his expertise was not in this area and I suspect he received these as trades for appraisals or other things.   I have two additional swords in the collection, I would appreciate any thoughts on these as well before I potentially embarrass myself further.    

 

NCO sword

 

Officer Sword

 

Thank you for any input!

 

Gregg

 

 

 

[Grey Doffin]

Two more fakes; sorry.

Grey

[GreggM]

Oh man... I hope the old man was better at his main line than he was in his trades!   Thanks for your time guys.

 

[Brian]

Deleting the pics renders this thread pretty useless. It would be nice if you would upload at least 1 or 2 pics of each here directly. Not because anyone thinks any less of someone with fakes, but because it may help someone down the line looking at something similar. We have a nice reference library growing here, and I am sure we have saved more than a handful of people from wrong purchases.

[GreggM]

Brian that is a good point, I didn't think about the reference aspect, that was selfish of me.  I have replaced the original link in the katana post and  it seems to be working and here are the other 2 links to the albums.

 

Officer sword

 

NCO sword

 

I hope these can help others in the future!

 

Cheers,

 

Gregg