mywifesgunakillme

Sword is enroute to Steve.

I appreciate the efforts everyone has put fort in trying to identify the blade. I am going to box this thing up and send it to Steve today for further evaluation.

I see you have been putting in some time trying to find some information on TOMOIE. I don't have any references myself, and anything that comes up utilizing search engines is written in Kanji. Hopefully someone has pictures of his work. A couple of people have mentioned that the blade has more curve in it that they thought. Maybe that would be an indication of a particular sword smith and could potentially help identify who the maker is down the road?

I purchased the sword at a local swap meet that I frequent. I usually go searching for older military items (equipment, uniforms etc...) from the WW1-WW2 era. I have an extensive collection and several nice displays. A knife (Buckmaster 184) drew my attention to a table. They have become desirable knives since the mid 1980's when they were produced mfor a short period. The woman wanted $50 for it which I gladly paid for without haggling with her. As I was getting ready to leave I noticed the sword on the table mixed in with a bunch of other misc items. I asked her what she wanted for it. She said $20. I didn't even pull the blade from the sheath to look at it. I just paid her the $20 and off I went. I figured it had to be some sort of reproduction. I didn't really care for that price. I just wanted the sword to put with a Japanese display I am working on. When I got home, I inspected the sword a bit closer, and it just seemed too good for a reproduction. I was expecting a dull blade, as you would expect to find on one of those really cheap imitation swords sold at gift shops. I determined that it could very well be an older blade of at least the WW2 era, and that I should have someone look at it. I haven't had any luck getting a response from anyone out here in SoCal who could inspect it firsthand. I realize that pictures (especially mine) could make it difficult to see what I'm seeing in person. Being that you are a bladesmith and you are in good standing with others on this forum, I would gladly mail my sword to you and accept your generous offer to polish the blade. This will also give you a chance to inspect the sword in it's entirety and provide some feedback (good, bad or ugly) to the rest of the members of the board. All I need is your address, and I'll send it out tomorrow.

I don't hold grudges against anyone. Your latest comments were informative. I can appreciate that. Perhaps you just didn't have enough time to explain yourself the last time. Thank you for your post. I'll try not to be insulting to anyone else on the forum. But.......if they piss me off....they get name called. Haha

I hope you find it entertaining.

If there was anything fake about this sword, then I'm sure it would have been called out by multiple people on this forum and others by now.

Ken, I can appreciate some of the input that you and a couple of others have provided. It's the "SAS" idiot who seems to have about as much knowledge as I did a week ago making comments without providing any substance to back them up. The quick "I'll be the odd guy out and call fake" and "I don't like this, that and the other" without saying what it is that he doesn't like so there can be a dialog is why he brings no added value to the forum. I came to this forum on a recommendation, just trying to find out what type of sword it is, the age of the sword and if at all possible identify the maker. I've received some good information thus far. Some, not so useful.

Is there anything about the Katana that doesn't bother you?

I was finally able to get a few full length pictures with the tape measure in the background for reference. Total length including the tang is a little under 30". Cutting edge is a little more than 24". I hope these pictures help those who say they might be better able to determine the age of the blade by looking at the tang more closely.

A few additional pictures including updated pics of the Tsuba. I looked over the blade with a 10X loop and could not see any cracks. I did find two tiny nicks in the blade as seen in the one picture. Everything else looks good.

I took some more photos. I could not get the Habaki off. It goes as far back as pictured, then it gets real tight. I don't want to force it off. I think you should be able to get a picture of what the shape of the tang is.

Here is a full length photo I took the other day.

Another forum suggested the following; Your blade is signed "Buzen Nakatsu Ju Fuji (cut off ) perhaps it said Buzen Nakatsu Ju Fujiwara Nagatoshi. This is one idea of the makers name. Does that name sound familiar with anyone?

I'm working on finding someone in the area. I have contacted a gentlemen who belongs to a To-Ken society in Gardena CA. I appreciate all of the input. I will try and get some additonal pictures up. The cutting edge of the sword measures a little over 24 1/4" in length. I was told that the length makes it a Katana. My understanding is that if it were under 24" it would be considered a Wakizachi? Not sure if that is correct, or which is more desirable. I can say without a doubt that it is 100% not a reproduction in anyway, as I had originally thought it would be. Thanks again

So far between this post and one other, I am confident that the tang has been shortened and says “Buzen Nakatsu-jū Fuji". Beyond that, there is some level of discrepancy determining the period of the sword. One individual says its a Koto sword and someone here posted it could be from the late 1670's. I am trying to find some knowledgable peopl ehere in the SoCal area who could take a look at it in person. Does anyone here on this board have a sword made by TOMOIE (朝家), Enpō (延宝, 1673-1681), Buzen – “Buzen Nakatsu-jū Fujiwara Tomoie saku” (備前中津住藤原 朝家作)? I guess we could possible compare the etching on the tang to try and determine if they were engraved by the same person? I would imagine it would be much like taking a handwriting sample and comparing the two. Hope to get some more feedback. Also, why was the tang shortened? Was the sword longer when originally made and possibly shortened due to damage or something? Thank you, Jason

Right out of the woodwork is right. It's exciting to find out just how old this sword could potentially be. I had absolutely no idea when I bought it, and it's quite something to hold a sword like this. I watched a couple of youtube videos showing how master sword smiths make these things and it's quite impressive. A whole lot of time and effort goes into these swords. No wonder why they command so much money.

Ok, these are the last pics I have. If other pictures are need, please ask and I'll do my best. Thank you

The little wooden peg is a temporary solution. The one originally holding the handle on was not salvageable.

third set of pictures.

Second set of pictures.

I'm new to this forum, and I have never collected swords of any type. I usually collection antique firearms, but came across this sword a couple of weekends ago. I thought it was a reproduction at first based on the neat cuts on the ...what I now know is called the "TSUBA". I just assumed it ha to have been machine made. When I got it home, I was amazed at just how sharp the blade was. It shows light pitting but the blade was razor sharp! Sliced right through paper with ease. I started thinking there is no way a reproduction sword would have that kind of an edge. I posted photos on another forum that I frequent. They have determined base on the markings on the tang that it is Koto period and made in Nakatsu. The TSUBA is also marked, but it is very difficult to get pictures of the markings. I have posted pictures for your review and input. The left side of the blade has the most patina and rust. I believe it is light enough that it could possibly be polished out by a professional. The right side is in a bit better condition. I'm asking for any additional information that the experts here on this site can offer. Thank you in advance, and I look forward to the discussion.