jarger22

Hey Everyone Being that ive already asked a bunch of questions in the Military Sword section i thought i better introduce myself. Im Jarrod, currently located in sunny Queensland in Australia, and im just getting started into the world of the Japanese Sword. My love of Japanese weapons actually stems from my Aikido training ( going on 13 yrs now) and now im in a position that i can realistically start to look at building up a collection. But first i need to learn alot more about everything, which leads me here. :D Jarrod

Thanks for the input Grey, i laughed when i saw your post, because it is exactly what i was thinking after i posted that question ( see i knew i was clueless :D ). I guess its like the first car you buy, whether it is a POS or not you always have ideas to fix it up and you are oblivious to the fact that it may not be worth half of what you spent on it. In the end though this particular blade is more of a sentimental thing to me than anything i would invest in for profit so cost didn't particularly faze me. Thanks again for the input.

Thanks again for the information guys. I had a few more questions if you will indulge me. Now i would like to restore this sword back to its former self, being that it was given to me. In people's opinion would that be worth the expense. And secondly can anyone recommend where this can be done, im in Australia and realize that they need to be sent overseas to get work done on them. Im also assuming that the blade is made non traditionally and that it may not be accepted to polish or restore on that basis? is that a correct assumption. Oh and sorry if any of these questions sound clueless, as im just starting to delve into the world of the Japanese sword ... so much information to digest. :D Cheers again guys Jarrod

Perhaps its the way the light is reflecting? The Tang/ Nakago ( is that the correct term?) are very dark all over and to my untrained eye i cannot see any signs of it ( wire brush etc). That was also one of the reasons i have had trouble taking a clear picture because of the dark surface corrosion. Plus it has been siting wrapped up with me for 5 or so years and hasn't been touched, unless it had been done well before either myself or my Teacher had it in our possession which i couldn't rule out. Jarrod

Thanks very much Stephen for fixing that photo, ive been wrestling with this damm camera for a few hours trying to get decent shots . If it helps here is another one i have taken, still not the clearest. Thanks again for any help. Jarrod

I was checking through my old aikido gear and noticed i still had a sword that had been left to me by my teacher before he went overseas. Now i remember originally trying to track down what it may have been and whether it was worth getting polished for either training purposes or display. Now the Blade is in its WW2 mounts, and isnt in the best condition, a few small chips out of the blade. In the top right the picture of the Tang looks like it bears a stamp, which judging from what ive read mean it is not hand made. The Tang is also quite dark and hard to make out the signature. The history of the blade as far as i know was that it was brought back to Australia from Papua New Guinea after the War and sat at this Diggers house until he passed away and his wife was getting rid of his gear. Which is when it came into the possession of my teacher. If anyone could take the time to have a quick look and perhaps point me in the right direction would be great. Cheers Jarrod