TroyCHunt

More fascinating information. The above reply about gempuku is the most detailed information I have yet encountered concerning the potential cultural context for this unusual sword. In case anyone is curious, I have been pursuing a second line of inquiry with a friend in the San Francisco area who has some knowledgeable contacts in the NBTHK America. This was my friend's initial response: "This is a very nice blade. The mei reads: "Iga (no) Kami Fujiwara Kinmichi". I believe this is likely from the 10th generation, which would place it at right about 1850. I say this because of the shape and condition of the nakago as well as the suguha hamon which was typical of 10th generation. Not to mention, 10th generation was the only Kinmichi to sign with the kiku mon after the 3rd generation, so that makes it rather easy to identify." And: "The inscription on the ura reads: "Nippon Kaji Sosho" which means "Master Swordsmith of Japan". Congratulations, if it's genuine, you may have stumbled on something special." And this was supplied by his friend in the NBTHK: "The Kinmichi line of wordsmiths was well known for making what we would call miniature swords. This was especially true of the later generations of this line of smiths (1700’s and 1800’s). These small swords were used as Boy’s Day gifts and also as traveling souvenirs for people to purchase and bring home. Your friend’s sword is probably genuine. As to whether or not it would pass shinsa, I am not sure. I have never tried to shinsa one of these swords." I make no representation concerning the accuracy of their speculation, of course, but both of these people know vastly more about Japanese swords than I do. I have been trying to get better photos of this sword to document that hamon and hada. If anyone is interested, I'll try to post them here. Troy

As before, many thanks for the assistance. This is one reason why I was thinking of it as a child's katana: http://ryujinswords.com/sukesada3.htm. I am not completely uninformed about traditional Japanese culture, but I don't know enough about this specific case to know if this man's assertion about swords on Boy's Day is correct or not.

Here is a curiosity, which I hope may prove to be more entertaining to you all than the kai gunto that I posted earlier: A lightweight little blade in shirasaya that I bought back in about 1994 for $60. The seller was a woman who inherited it from her father, a former Marine tech sergeant, who picked it up somehow as he fought his way through the battle for Saipan as part of a tank crew (this cat also left a Nambu Model 14 in leather clamshell holster which I also bought, and a foot locker full of .50 caliber machine gun belts, about 6 live grenades, and a live mortar round, which flat freaked the woman out, with the result that unfortunately I did not have the opportunity to buy them). It is pretty clearly hand forged, but so delicate that it almost seems meant for a child. I didn't very highly regard this blade for many years, since it is too delicate for practical use, but I have begun to wonder if I may have misjudged it. As before, any assistance that you all could provide would be vastly appreciated. I am attaching a very poor photo of the entire blade, and somewhat better photos of both sides of the nakago. Many thanks again. Troy

So...nothing more than a decent quality arsenal blade, which makes this an education for me. Many thanks for the replies. I hope that others I have to post may prove a bit more interesting.

Also, apologies for my photography. I am terrible at it, but trying to improve.

Greetings. I have been referred to this forum for assistance translating the mei from a small collection of nihonto that I have assembled over the years. I have read through a number of existing threads, and you all seem to be extensively informed on the subject, and I will deeply appreciate any assistance that you can offer. The first sword is a relatively well preserved kai gunto, which I purchased from another collector in the early 1990s. I am assuming WWII production from the rather "chippy" character of the mei. This blade also has the unsharpened edge for about 1" up from the habaki, which I have been told is common for Showa era swords. I believe that this blade is at least partially hand forged, although I am nothing like an expert. I believe that I can see evidence of masame hada, and it has what I believe to be a midare style hamon, which I believe to be genuine. Only the omote is inscribed. The nakago has regular file marks, with a bit of rough work up by the habaki, no stamps of any kind, and very little rust. But enough from me. The photo is attached. Many thanks in advance for any assistance. Troy