Looking for information and translation of tang marks

[Dongotti420]

Hello, I was just wondering if anybody could tell me what I have. It was my grandfathers sword he got during WW2 on Tinian. He gave it to me, and im just curious about it. Dont care about price, as i wont get rid of it. Just wondering where it was made and such. Thanks to anybody who decides to take a look. oh also it has the same marks on all of the parts. Thanks again.

 

Don H

[Baka Gaijin]

Good morning Don,

 

In your image markings 1, the characters on the Tsuba are shown upside down

 

〇 "Nuru" Zero

 

五 "Go" Five

 

Same in Markings 2, the item is called a Chusō (Spring clip)

 

I suggest they are just assembly numbers for the Koshirae

 

Cheers

[Dongotti420]

Thank you, and sorry bout it being upside down im new to this.

 

Don H

[Baka Gaijin]

Hi again Don,

 

The way you had the Tsuba in markings 1 is the accepted way to display i.e. with the broader part of the Nakago ana down.

 

I suggest they stamped the numbers in "Tachi" style

 

Check out the Kanji Pages at the top of this page above NMB.

 

Cheers

[Geraint]

Morning Don.

 

The sword itself is in kai gunto mounts, for use by naval officers. The mounts are complete though a little battered, missing one seppa? The blade is an earlier wakizashi and seems to be in quite good condition. The signature seems to be Bungo no ju Fujiwara ?? yuki. Not yet sure of the second to last character. This would make it a sword by a Bungo Takada smith, a group not always highly valued by collectors but appreciated by military men. A nice find and a fascinating aspect of your history.

 

All the best.

[Dongotti420]

Thanks for the info. The other seppa is there they were just stuck together and I didn't want to pry at them. Its a little beat up but I love the thing. Always have since I was a kid. But thanks again any more info is always welcome.

 

Don H

[k morita]

Hi,

 

The mei is Nobuyuki. :D

宣 行

[Geraint]

Thank you Morita san, I should have got that one. There is a smith signing this way from circa 1661, listed as NOB620 in Hawley's.

 

All the best.

[Dongotti420]

Thanks to all of you for the replies. I had no idea it could be that old I would love to learn more about it. Thanks again for all the quick replies.

[mdiddy]

Nice Kai Gunto! As has been said, the blade is much older but the mounts were made in the 1930's-1940's. It is an old blade and will age/rust if not properly cared for. With proper care, the blade will last another 300-400 years. Here is a link with info on how to keep it in condition: http://www.nbthk-ab.org/Etiquette.htm

 

Hope that helps!

 

Matt

[Dongotti420]

Thank you for the link. I've been wondering what I should do. The blade has rust spots on it but I'm to afraid to mess with it not sure if I should leave it be or look to get it polished any advice is welcome. And as always thanks again you guys are great.

 

Don