Translation Help! Thank you!

[Jon D]

Hi Everyone, 

I was told that it was a bring back. Paid enough to be frustrated if it is a fake. 

 

Edited August 13 by Jon D

[Tcat]

The blade is signed 伊賀守金道作 / Iga no kami kinmichi saku. It is a genuine Japanese sword, but I can't confirm if the signature is genuine.

[Jon D]

Thank you so much Tcat! I really appreciate it. Does not sound like a world war 2 era smith.

[Tcat]

Indeed it wasnt, it was a prestigious name school of swordmaking, so unfortunately we have to expect there to be plenty of questionable signatures out there.

[robinalexander]

Bearing in mind Jon that the presence of the Ashi and leather combat cover would indicate it saw service in WW2.  More likely than not.

 

Many civilian swords were pressed into service by choice or necessity due to material shortages.

[Jon D]

That makes sense! It definitely does not have the traditional gunto fittings. 

[Bruce Pennington]

We see many swords with colored cords, yellow seemed popular, from the war.  We don't know the exact reason for them.  Possibly something for good luck, or warding off evil spirits.  Sometimes they are clearly cords from sword bags, but yours is not.  You can see several other examples here: