Robert Cowles

I was given this sword many years ago by a WWII veteran. In the mid 1990's a member of the Japanese Sword club for Northern Virginia looked at it and gave me his thoughts (attached as a Word file). He believed it was an older family sword remounted for an Officer for WWII. Having recently discovered this foum, I would like to learn more about the sword if possible. I reduced the size of the photos, hope the details are visible. KATANA 2.docx

Thanks for the info...just looked up Kaneyoshi ...seems there was some controversy on this forum about that signature some years ago. I got this sword in 1992 (it was stored when I retired from the Pentagon and went sailing). Are fakes with this signature common?

This is the second of the swords I was given by the daughter of a deceased WW2 veteran. He supposedly brought them home in 1946. Other sword previously identified as Navy. This one had a tassel but it "was lost years ago"...I hope the photos of the kanji are readable, I'm still trying to get the light and size (for posting) correct. Any information will be appreciated.

I appreciate all the info from this forum. I was uneasy because the steel in the blade is so different from my other swords. I trust that the lady who gave me the sword believed what she was told, but I wanted opinions from those who really know Japanese military swords. I have the same concerns about my friend's translation of the inscription...others may see them differently. While I manage to get along in the European languages (and even a little Arabic), Japanese remains a mystery. I am working on it but still a beginner.

Not sure how to reply directly, but I'll try. Thanks for the info, the daughter said it was "some special steel so it wouldn't rust". Not sure what I did when setting up profile, don't know why name is not showing, I'm not THAT paranoid. Attaching another photo of the "anchor" stamp (I hope).

I was given two Japanese swords by the daughter of a deceased WW2 veteran. She said this one was a "Navy sword". It has an "anchor" stamp and a friend translated it as "Tairo made this". Seems odd for a machined blade...Did not want to clog the site so only two small photos. Any information appreciated.