Nihonto

[Celto]

Goodmorning everyone   I have had this for many years my mum was an antique dealer so i had the opportunity to collect a lot of varied stuff! i posted this on a sword forum and got one response ie they thought it might be tachi....all i know is that it is so sharp i really could shave with it it will cut paper. I would appreciate any help or direction i should go with this thank you in advance

[Mark]

Mr Celto

 

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Welcome. Yes it looks like a tachi. The blade appears unsigned but the mountings are tachi type so the sword as a whole can be described as a tachi but the blade itself is a daito or long sword currently mounted as a tachi. It is hard to say a lot, other than it looks "real", from the pictures. It probably dates to 1800's or earlier. Where are you located? Any chance you are within traveling distance of one of the sword shows?

[Alex A]

Blade in the pic looks pretty straight, like kanbun shape, Saya looks curved. Do they fit together ok, or is there some kind of optical illusion in this photo.

[Celto]

Thanks so very much for the replies.....yes they fit together very well.....are the shows posted her? I am near washington DC. Steve T

[Grey Doffin]

Hi Steve,

Shows are in Tampa, Chicago, San Francisco, Orlando, and occasionally elsewhere.  You'll find a calendar here and also one on my site (see below).

This looks like something put together late 19th early 20th century to sell to western tourists.  The blade and scabbard, if I'm correct, would date to then and the handle parts (fuchi/kashira and menuki) would be earlier.

But someone else may know better.

Grey

[Celto]

hello again i would like to get the top and bottom pieces for the saya anyone have suggestions ?thanks

[b.hennick]

They are called kojiri (bottom piece) and koiguchi (fits at the opening of the scabbard). Finding a match will be quite difficult.