ribendao

As requested:

Hi Geraint, I will see if I can get some more photos soon. The tsuba feels like cheap cast brass. The habaki seems nice though. Two piece with what looks to be a "moon and clouds" motif.

Thanks Jean Can anyone confirm what the rolled up paper is for? Am I right in my assumption that it is just scrap paper used to fill out the empty spaces under the ito wrap?

Thanks Jean Raden is the word I was looking for. Found many more examples now. I had a feeling this was a tourist/export piece. It came with a mumei wakizashi that looks shinshinto. Looks half decent if it wasn't for the rust...

Thanks Brian. Looks like you are right. It is really nice looking. Its a shame the brass doesn't look great. Kind of detracts from the ablone shell lacquered saya. Seems like this style is somewhat rare. Not really finding any similar looking examples online.

Bought this cheapo wakizashi online because I thought it looked interesting. I have seen this type of "broken pottery" design on a yari pole before but have no idea what it is called or how to research it further. The fuchi and throat of the saya are simple brass. Which seems impracticle because it dulls the blade when it is pulled out. The tsuba seems like it was cast and is also brass. It does have a nice two-piece habaki. I also found a piece of rolled up paper underneath the ito wrap. There are still more pieces I have not taken out. Can I assume it was just used as a spacer when it was being wrapped? Would like to get more info about it if anyone knows. Thank you

Hi Stegel， Sorry but it did not come with a scabbard. What you see is all I have. It was just an impulse buy from an online auction. So I really don't have much info on its origin.

Ah geez Bruce. As curious as I am, it is so well put together that I don’t trust myself to reassembled it to how it is now. I suspect it is some sort of European blade. I compared it to my type 32 Ko and it is a completely different blade construction. I think the defining characteristic of the blade is the ridge line. It seems to originate from the spine of the blade instead of straight through the center.

Thanks George. These signatures are pretty consistent. When I bought this I was expecting a heavily osuriage mumei blade. Very surprised to find a signature. it’s a shame it’s in such rough shape. I can tell there is some nice hada beneath the rust.

Well they did a good job. A real snug fit.

What do you all think about this type 32? It’s shortened and without the fuller. No serial number either. Still has the arsenal stamps like a standard type 32. Anyone seen anything like this before? Thanks

Thank you! Already found other examples of his work online to compare.

Whole blade for the curious.

Recently bought this online without seeing the nagako. To my surprise there was a signature on both sides. Would really appreciate a translation. Thanks

I was ready to but in a hefty bid over the weekend until I read the description. Shame too because it looked decent.

Just saw this one listed. Thought you guys would want to take a look. Scabbard is strange and the blade is in rough shape. What are your thoughts? https://hibid.com/lot/112355593/Japanese-ww2-samuri-sword-has-copper-handle/?q=&ref=lot-list

I wouldn't go as far to say no real value. I bet you could probably get two three hundred for it on ebay.

Price reduced to $1250. Would also consider a trade for some cool items.

春山万里 not sure what character the red stamp is suppose to be.

Are there any good examples of "tight" hada vs. "loose" hada that someone can provide? This aspect has always confused me.

Thanks, I am aware of his reputation. I wan't planning on buying. Just looking at his auction for the type 95 trying to get an idea of what average condition was selling for.

Was just watching a Showa22 Ebay listing for a brass tsuba type 95 in average condition. Ended up selling for $893 befor shipping and fees. Not sure if this is a good sign of where the market is for them or not.

I must say, this a very beautiful sword. I hope you will be able to remove the handle and habaki for us to get a better look.