jschiek

The mekugi hole is clear, and unless there's a second hidden behind the tsuka wrappings or menuki, it should be good to go. I doubt very much that it is glued--I hope to God it isn't!--but I wouldn't put it past my grandfather to do something like that before handing the sword over to a twelve year old. I'll ask him, when I get the chance. He's still around, and as I'm discovering, he had no idea what he had and thus neither did I. I would have handled things very differently up to now, sort of pun sort of intended. Domo arigato for your comiseration, Brian! Jeremiah

Tried tapping the tsuba and tsuka with a piece of wood with minimal results. That tsuka is really on there. Unfortunately, during my attempt, the sword slipped off my workbench. Instinctively I caught it, but did so with my thumb on the blades edge, the full weight of it rotating to slice into the fleshy pad of said thumb. The pain is dampening to a dull, tingly throb, and is wrapped in a bandage while I contemplate whether or not to get stitches. I now wear my idiocy on my thumb, apparently. But, once bit, best forget. I'll try another day. Jeremiah

Steve, I should mention that the tip appears to be either copper or brass overlay. Of all the saya I've seen, most tend to be flatter on the end whereas this one is more tapered.

Certainly, and really, all I've been interested in was confirming that it is indeed nihonto, and discovering its relative age. Anything else I discover, as far as I'm concerned, is really secondary to those two things. Again, I appreciate your information and what you've been able to appraise/ascertain from the small amount of information I've been able to provide so far. Thank you!

Still working on safely removing everything to reveal the signature. All the same, any guesses as to the age, based off of what is available? I'm just wondering if it could be pre-1868, or perhaps after. As it is apparently just a wakizashi, it makes me wonder if it was once part of a daisho, or if it was a sword fashioned for a merchant to carry. Your responses so far have been very educational and exciting. I don't know if this sword is something I would or could ever part with. And as much as I want to know everything about it, I want to also be worthy of owning it. Jeremiah

Thanks for the replies. I have replaced the missing mekugi. I will surely oil it up and reply with more pics when I get home tonight. Thanks again, and my name is: Jeremiah

On my twelfth birthday, my grandfather gifted me a samurai sword that he had long owned and that I had long coveted. He himself had received as a gift from someone who had picked it up while visiting Japan. Up to this year, I had assumed it was a World War II era blade, however, looking at such swords, my own did not seem to fit, leading me to the assumption that it might be much older than previously thought. The sword and saya are in rough condition. The mekugi has been missing these many years, leaving me to wonder why someone would ever drill a whole in the handle--you can see how little I know about samurai swords, but I am learning quickly. It has what appears to be a dragon menuki on both sides. Alas, I could not remove the tsuba in a manner I considered safe to maintaining the integrity of all pieces inherent thereto. I can say though, that it features the Tosa mon of the Yamauchi clan, twice on the pommel and once on the tsuba. I have taken pictures for consideration. And, as per guidelines, I would like to say up front that I am not interested in financial gain by selling this sword. It is very important to me, and something I would like to know more about. Final details: The sword is just over 30" with the blade measuring 22". The saya has a place for a small knife, but that had been removed before my grandfather received the sword many, many years ago. Having owned it now for 23 years myself, I feel a deep guilt that I did not seek out information sooner. Any and all opinions are welcome. Thank you in advance!