adtharp

Thanks all. That is what I figured. It is actually fairly small for the sword, making me think it was meant for a Wakizashi. No need to be sorry, I did not buy this one for the tsuba, and the blade papered, so I am quite happy. I just didn’t know anything about the tsuba. It didn’t really match the other fittings, so I bet you are correct that the old one was replaced. Thanks again! -Drew

Hi all, I was hoping to get a little information on this tsuba. It came on a sword that just went through shinsa in Chicago. I did not submit the tsuba, I do not think it is anything amazing, but it is signed and I was curious. It feels like it is probably made of iron? Let me know if anyone has any ideas. Thanks in advance. -Drew

Cross posted this on Facebook - Antique International Sword Collectors, but I thought some folks here might have some insight. Anyone ever seen anything like this? I picked up a pretty cheap "Kai Gunto" - putting that in quotes because there is a lot going on that I'm not sure about. Here are some pictures - https://imgur.com/a/ZKbseZI No mei. No anchor stamps, no seki stamps (no stamps at all). Why does the bohi extend through the nakago? Hamon looks genuine, not painted on. Could not see hada, but polish is not great. Lacking Tsuba, but it does have the...o-seppa? that surrounded it. Those are numbered. Saya is really weird, the single fitting on the saya seems like it was made out of hardware store parts. So - my thoughts are that it could have been something that was pieced together post war as a souvenir? It doesn't seem like a genuine kai-gunto to me, but it also doesn't seem like a modern repro. If it was pieced together, what is the blade? I would love some thoughts from the collector's here. Thanks for your time! -Drew

All - thank you so much for your insight here. This is very helpful. Based on your translation, I would assume this is a Seki sword, so therefore likely non-traditionally made in some way. Thanks again!

This is a sword for sale in my area, I am curious to get a translation of the mei. I am newer to collecting nihonto. This one is in gunto fittings, but has a mei that does not look like other mei I have seen on military swords. Trying to determine if this is a gunto or a gendaito. I would appreciate any assistance with translation! Thank you in advance!