Posted 14 years ago
popinsjim
(3 items)
Hi everyone,my name is Jim,I showed this sword 3 months ago .I would like someone to help me identify the markings. Everyone that see's it, says they never saw this kind of markings.I wonder what it might be worth.Or is it just a fake? Can anyone help? Thank you.
I KNOW THE CRYSMATHUM FLOWER IS IMPORTANT ,MY UNCLE BROUGHT BACK A RIFLE AND HIS SON FOUND OUT THAT IT (the flower)HAS MEANING, AS FAR AS THE JAP WRITING I WOULD CHECK OUT A REAL JAPANESE RESTERANT ETC TO SEE IF IT CAN BE READ , THAT WOULD BE MORE INFO
Identification of swords requires removal of the TSUKA, which may be accomplished by carefully forcing out the single tapered wooden peg (MEKUGI) which fastens it to the tang. The TSUKA may then be slid off the tang, revealing the maker's signature and other identifying marks incised in the metal. The signature often consists of the maker's name, his titles, and place at which the sword was make. The date of manufacture, when shown, is usually found on the other side of the tang. Certain patterns of file marks on the tang are also distinctive, aiding the expert in determining the authenticity and dating of the sword.
http://www.samuraisword.com/intro.htm
Thank you ribsmoker, the sword has two pins holding the TSUKA on.Is that unusual? I had herd somewhere that the tang had to be shortend before a person was allowed to bring it to the USA.
HI JIM,
FROM WHAT I CAN SEE IN THE PICTURES YOUR SWORD APPEARS TO BE A LATE JAPANESE OFFICERS KATANA. ON THE LATER SWORDS THEY HAD MACHINED BLADES AND IF THIS IS THE ORIGINAL BLADE IT'S IN EXCELLENT CONDITION. THE TSUKA (HANDLE) IS WRAPPED IN WHAT IS REFERED TO AS A BATTLE WRAP. THIS WAS PREVELANT ON MOST OF THE LATER OFFICERS SWORDS.
RIBSMOKER IS CORRECT IN SAYING THE CHRYSANTHAMUM WAS USED ON THE RIFLES HOWEVER IT WAS A CHERRY BLOSSOM THAT IS SHOWN ON THE SWORDS .
IF YOU TAKE A PIECE OF THIN PAPER, SUCH AS ONION SKIN, LAY IT ACROSS THE TANG, AND LIGHTLY RUB A PENCIL (ON A VERY SKARP ANGLE) ACROSS IT , IT WILL GIVE YOU AN IMPRESSION OF THE WRITING ON THE TANG. SOME CLEAR PHOTOS ALONG WITH THE RUBBING WILL GIVE YOU ENOUGH DETAIL TO SEND IT TO AN ANTIQUER THAT DEALS IN JAPANESE SWORDS WHO MAY BE ABLE TO TRANSLATE THE KENJI ON THE TANG.
IF YOU HAVE ANY OTHER QUESTIONS YOU CAN EMAIL ME . I DON'T KNOW IF I CAN HELP YOU ANY MORE BUT I'LL TRY,
GOOD LUCK,
RICH...........