oneshot onekill

nice blade....it could also be a mismatch koshirae too I thought about that but I really don't think so. The fit is perfect and the former owner knows nothing about swords except that his father got it in China at the end of WWII. It was surrendered by a Japanese Officer. I'm wondering if the missing emblem from the Saya is a Unit Designation or something else that the Officer would have wanted to remove before turning it in.

As I research Military Swords more I'm beginning to wonder where exactly my sword fits. Although the blade has a Showa stamped on the Nakago the only other part of the sword that indicates to me "Military Style" is the Kashira... and the story from the former owner. I still don't know what the missing emblem on the Saya was so maybe that gives some clue. I don't know if some Officers were allowed to carry more "Traditional style" swords? Or if there would have been one of those Leather covers on it that held the ring. There's probably a very simple explanation that one of you "Experts" can explain but I'm slightly confused. Hopefully someone "in-the-know" will look at the pictures and shed some light on it. Thanks, John PS: I'll be acquiring books and doing my own leg-work in the near future! Just can't afford them yet.

More Pics...

OK... Here are more pictures... Finally! I'm supposedly the only one to have this sword besides the 91 year old Gentleman who relieved it from a Japanese Officer in 1945 in China. It's a bit unusual for a Military blade because of the Mounts. There appears to have been some sort of emblem on the Saya that was removed. Also, there is Kanji and the number "7" painted on the Saya in white. Please look over the pics and let me know what you see. As always... Thanks in advance! Cheers, John

Of course... As soon as I get the time and figure out what's wrong with my camera. It's suddenly taking fuzzy pictures. Like the auto-focus isn't working.

Yes... Really fast! Thank you Very Much! Now... What does it all mean. Is this a "known" swordsmith? Did he make decent Blades? I know being Showa-to makes it "Hit-or-miss" as far as the quality.

OK... Clue me in... I'm a little on the "dense" side!

OK... Here's a picture of the signature on my Sword. Any help identifying what it says would be much appreciated. I'm not very good at figuring that out yet.

Well, I picked up a pretty crappy sword that had what looks like a pretty nice Tsuba. Just like everyone else who is new to this I'm in need of whatever information the Experts (You) can give me here. Here are the pics! Thanks in advance, John

I appreciate the "lead". I certainly will. Thank you! John

Interesting that the website I got this picture from called the Showa an "arsenal Mark" that indicated where the blade was "distributed" from. Also the blade is described as a Wakizashi that was made in the 1800's! Just goes to show there are a TON of different views about different features... I'm more confused now than ever! Here's the link: http://www.quanonline.com/military/mili ... ord_17.php

OK, as I read about swords with a Showa it looks like they are not the greatest blades out there. Curious, because the blade I'm getting has what appears to be an active Hamon and a tight Hada. It has a very pronounced Yokote and an O-Kissaki. I'm buying it because it appears to have most of the ear-marks of what I'd consider a decent blade. Granted , not an extremely "old" blade but a nice one. The Tsuba is very plain and the Tsuka appears to be WWII but with nice looking two-tone Menuki. I can't make out what they are though. The Saya is black lacquered wood. As soon as I get it I'll post pictures so you all can help me identify it... hopefully! Thanks again! John

OK... Ya lost me. Pretty much from the very beginning. I forgot to mention I'm a total Newbie so I need things pretty much "spelled-out" for me because I'm still an idiot when it comes to terminology. I'm mostly curious about the small stamp on the left side of the picture. As the picture is NOT my blade I'll address the rest when I get the blade in my hands and can take pictures of my own. I "guessed" it was an arsenal mark because I've seen other different yet similar stamps on other blades. Thanks again and sorry for sounding so stupid! John

I grabbed this picture from another website because it has the same Arsenal Mark as a sword I'm about to receive. I wasn't able to use the picture from the actual sword I'm getting. I couldn't get it to copy. The Mei on my blade is completely different and mine is a Katana. Anyway, can anyone tell me anything about this arsenal mark? Thanks in advance! I'll post actual pics of my blade when I receive it...

Yea... That would scare me a little. I'm still learning but I haven't seen any Koto blades yet that have that kind of discoloration... FWIW.

I'm a newbie... I got lucky with mine (I think). Only paid $79.00 for it... on Ebay... but it looks a lot like yours! Sorry man! I've since caught the "Nihonto Bug" and have bought 2 more blades... Real ones this time!

Seller didn't date it from the 1300's. More like late 1400's. From what I've read this could be true... but you could show me a blade made yesterday and tell me it was from the 1400's and I'd probably believe you! LOL!!! I forgot to mention there's a really cool diagonal nick on the Mune from another blade striking it! I love that!

Here's the only pic I have of the Tang. Thanks again!

On the last pic you can barely see the temper-line looping around just behind the tip but on the third pic you really can't see a temper-line at all. I stared at this thing for about 2 hours last night trying to decide if the Hamon is just polished away in certain areas or just so narrow I'm not experienced enough to see it! Very frustrating!

First, I am very new to the study of these amazing blades so please be kind and keep that in mind. Stay with me here… I bought a cheap repro Chinese copy a couple months ago thinking I had hit the jackpot. I only paid $79.00 for it on Ebay but the seller swore up and down it was Japanese and original. Blah, Blah, Blah… Anyway, that hooked me! Now I’m reading everything I can find online about Japanese blades. I found a blade for sale on a website I frequent called Snipershide (I’m a former MOS 8541 Marine). I bought it with the understanding from the seller I could return it for a full refund if not satisfied. I don’t have all of the terminology down but Here’s the “skinny”: It’s supposedly from the Muromachi Era. I’d call it an Uchigatana because it’s a little over 24 1/2” from Habaki to tip. It’s mounted in WWII mounts that appear to be real WWII Mounts. It’s unsigned. The Hamon is very narrow and appears to run right to the edge in some areas. It’s a relatively straight Hamon. It has at least one Fukure that has broken through and other small areas of Shintetsu. I was told by the seller that it’s a “tired” blade but not fatally flawed. I’m not so sure. I’m attaching pictures and would appreciate opinions. I can post more pics if necessary. Thanks in advance, John

Hello everyone! I became interested in Japanese Blades , believe it or not, the first time I saw Highlander! Don't laugh... OK, Laugh!!! I collect pretty much anything "weapon" related. Randall Made Knives and antique firearms such as Colt Single Action Revolvers, German Lugers and Civil War Long-guns have been my latest addictions. That is until now! I'm 46 and a former Marine (MOS:8541... hence the name) My first blade was a fake Chinese P.O.S. I bought a couple of months ago for $79.00 on Ebay. I thought I hit the Jackpot! Yea, Right! Believe it or not that's what really hooked me. I started reading everything I could find and spend most of my waking hours reading about Japanese Blades... Old (Nihonto) Japanese Blades. Most of the terminology escapes me at the moment but I'm learning more and more every day. I just bought my first legitimate Japanese blades this week and one of them may be going back. I'll get into that in another post. Anyway, I live in Central Florida and have lived in Florida since 1978. I know most of the cool stuff to do around here so if anyone's coming down feel free to contact me and I'll help any way I can. Guess that's about it for now. Thanks for your attention! John Note: I actually meant to post this in "New Member Introductions" but hit the "New Post tab by mistake! Sorry