Isley

Need guidance on what I need to do to ship the sword. Thinking of using DHL. Need guidance on package labeling and paperwork. Thanks in advance.

Hello, Bruce, and thank you for providing more information on swords. The fittings are original to the sword, only the handle was rebuilt. Father-in-law was a collector and very meticulous in maintaining maximum originality. The scabbard is also original. We now know the name of the friend who gifted him the sword and know that it was taken while serving in the Army at the Battle of Guadalcanal. The friend's relative was given the wallet and identification papers that were also taken from the fallen. We do not know the name of the relative.

I now know the sword was taken during a WWII battle in the Solomon Islands.

Correct! Before taking pictures, family member used talc so the symbols could be photographed.

Thank you Baba Yaga. We call it a WW2 Samurai sword because my father-in-law's friend took it off the body of a WW2 Japanese soldier and brought it home. The handle had been burned off somehow so father-in-law replaced it. He was a sword collector so I wouldn't think he would have cleaned the tang. I lightened the photo of the tang to make the symbols easier to read; it is darker than it appears here. I have read that "...as some officers came from the older samurai class and had heirlooms, it made sense for them to forego Gunto swords and bring along their forefather’s weapons." The blade is not stainless steel and the sword is quite heavy and has a blade sharp on one side. The sheath is very thick and of good quality.

I have received the following responses, which are very similar except for the city name Fukuoka vs. Yanagawa and the word junin vs. ju. Yanagawa ju Hisakuni saku Probably this wartime smith: Hisakuni (久国), Shōwa (昭和, 1926-1989), Fukuoka – „Hisakuni“ (久国), family name „Koga“ (古賀), born 1895, rikugun-jumei-tōshō Yanagawa junin Hisakuni saku

Posted request for tang translation back in Oct. 2021 and got answers but didn't see them until today. Thanks so much to all who responded! The symbols were translated to "Yanagawa ju Hisakuni saku". One responder suggested that there is a Showa smith listed as Fukuoka Hisakuni , who may help further identify the maker. The sword was in my deceased father-in-law's collection and, sadly, was given to him by his friend who served in the war. The handle had burned off or rotted so was replaced with one made of holly wood. Probably has no real value but we were curious as to the maker. Posting a few pictures and welcome your thoughts.

This sword was among the collection of my deceased father. Can anyone identify the symbols on the tang?