Found in my house in Japan

[J-T]

Hi, this is my first post here. I know just the very basics about nihonto, so I’m reading this forum hoping to learn more.

 

I recently bought and old farmhouse in Japan and have been cleaning it up. Items like these keep popping up. I wonder if it’s possible to say anything about the sword based on the photos?

 

The blade was all covered in rust, I’ve oiled and wiped it with a cloth multiple times now to get rid of the crude rust. Lots of stains still remain. The hamon is hardly visible. The top third portion of the edge has some small dents.

 

There’s no visible signature in nakago but I think there are traces of a kanji mark or marks (in the middle section close to the mekugiana). Might be just my wishful thinking, though.

 

Any thoughts about this?

[Gunome]

Hello,

 

Looks like a koto muromachi blade with a deep (koshi?) sori.

No idea about the mark in the nakago. it is too faint to read or see something.

[kunitaro]

The sword looks good !

However, You need to register the sword in Japan.

to register sword, you must call local police to tell them that you found a sword in your house.

They will come to your house, and report it, then they will issue "発見届け (Hakken-todoke/ Found report)".

Then you must go to register, you can ask local "教育委員会 (Kyoiku-iinkai/Education department) about the date and address.

You need "Hakkentodoke/Found report" from police to register the sword.

Without Torokusho/register card, it is illegal to own the sword, no polisher or dealer handle them, also Police can confiscate the sword.

Where is the house ? I will be able to find local office for you.

[Ken-Hawaii]

J-T, please sign your name to all posts per Brian's rules, & welcome to the forum.

 

Looks like you should be checking even closer to see what else might have been left by the former owners. I agree on koshi-zori, but would like to see the boshi (area near the tip) as well as the area under the habaki, & a photo of the entire bare blade. Looks like quite a good find.

 

Ken

[J-T]

Thanks for your advice so far. I'm aware of the registration procedure and working on it.

 

My previous post was cut, couple of photos were left out. Here's the best I can do now for the area under the habaki. Will take a photo of the whole length of the blade next time.

 

I also include a photo of another item just for curiosity. I found this shortened blade among rusty farming tools. Pictured with an old axe. It had a wooden handle, only after I stripped it off, I realized that it is a wakizashi or katana blade which was perhaps broken and then modified to be used as a farming/cutting tool. The blade appears unsigned. Does anyone know if it was a common practice to modify broken blades like this?

[J-T]

Signature should work now.

[Grey Doffin]

2 things I've noticed: the ha-machi isn't across from the mune-machi and the curvature is too exaggerated for a blade with that much ha-machi. Retemper is a possibility.

Grey

[Bugyotsuji]

Nice find! Remember not to try to clean it up any more as the Police will want to be sure it was found as is. Any evidence of attempts to polish it, etc., will not be received well. They can be extremely harsh with people who try to register an old sword and the experience often leaves people feeling drained, I have heard, even when the transaction was successful. They try to pick holes in your story and can make you feel as if you are doing something wrong. Good luck!

 

Broken swords were often used as farm implements, for splitting bamboo etc. Depending on the length of the blade it might be wise to tell them about that section too, showing your honesty and giving them something to take away 'in exchange'.

[Klop]

Love the axe! I'v got it's brother, lots of markings on it. I was told the shape is a compromise between a felling and a splitting axe, not too thin and not too wedgy.

 

Kind regards,

Eric K.

[kusunokimasahige]

I just love this story. And it makes me jealous

 

I hope you can get the sword registered, as well as the "head cutter".

 

KM