Thank you guys. Anything else you can tell me from these pictures? I drew the symbol that is painted on the handle. I'm guessing it is 803 because 803 is written on 3 other pieces.
Wow. I'm impressed with your research skills. I've been trying to translate that for a while. Although it was made untraditionally, do you think it was handmade? I can post more pictures if you need.
Great grandfather took this back from Japan after WW2. There is a small symbol on the upper handle. Also a faded symbol on the bottom made with red paint.