Seeking Help In Deciphering The Markings On This Katana (More Pics In Album)

[Andrei]

Hi everyone, 

 

I was referred here by a user on r/Katanas.

I received a Katana from my grandpa. I never had the chance to ask him how he acquired this piece. I am not well versed in Katana history and would like to know more about this beautiful piece.

 

Does anyone know the translation for the markings on the tang? 服郚鍛刀所造之

 

Markings exist in a couple places: 

• One side of the Tang (nothing on other side)
• Top of Tsuka
• Both sides of cloth

 

Imgur album: https://imgur.com/a/mnlNMDT

 

Edit: 

Users on r/Katana have said this about the markings, but the meaning on the Tang is still undecided: 

 

• "The cloth tag is a name and address. These were commonly attached by the owner before the swords were confiscated.
• 中井利一郎 - Nakai Riichiro (last name, first name)
• 滋賀県滋賀郡和邇村 - Shiga-ken, Shiga-gun, Wani-mura - Wani Village, Shiga District, Shiga Prefecture
• The tsuka just says the name Nakai (bottom) and some numbers (top).
• The characters written on the saya where the lacquer has peeled are 平和 (heiwa, peace)."

 

Have a nice day!

 

-Andrei 

[SteveM]

Hello Andrei,

 

服部鍛刀所造之

 

Made at Hattori Foundry (i.e. sword-making place)

 

It blows my mind that people could decipher the somewhat difficult hand-written address on the tag, and completely give up on the clear inscription on the tang. Hattori is one of the better-known names of the WW2 smiths. 

 

I don't think the word on the peeled-off part of the scabbard is 平和. It looks more to me like 中和, but who knows what it means. There is such a word in Japanese, but in this case I think it is a shorthand for a name. I don't think a Japanese soldier would randomly write "peace" on his scabbard. 

[Andrei]

Thanks for the info! That is very interesting to know. On one side of the blade, there is a beautiful hamon, while the other has a patina. 

 

There is also some rust developing on the tip. Do you think it can be restored such that the entire blade looks like good side? 

 

Album of Hamon: https://imgur.com/a/DBbVPMX

 

-Andrei

[PNSSHOGUN]

Yes it could possibly restored by a professional polisher but it would be expensive. Considering it's a family heirloom it would be a wise investment for future generations.

[Andrei]

Ill consider it! Thanks.

[SAS]

The mei and file markings are well done on your sword; from the photos I do not see any big problems. It looks like a good candidate for a polish. The wooden liner inside the saya has deteriorated, and  a shirasaya should be made to store the blade in after polish. The active red rust on the nakago should be dealt with immediately; see onsite here for care instructions.

[Andrei]

Steve, shirasayas look beautiful, especially with a wood of burgundy color.

 

But in terms of the value of the piece, is most of the value in the blade? If i were to polish it, would i hang the original saya and tsuka next to the shirasaya? I hear that polishing increases value, but what if i were to remove it from the current fitting and put it in a shirasaya?

[Andrei]

Also, i have seen somewhat conflicting info on whether or not to clean the nakago. They say for active rust, light sword oil is fine. So best approach would be to lightly apply just to the rust?

[Andrei]

I just checked the nakago again, and i found these markings on the inside of the Fuchi. Does anyone know what these mean? 

[SAS]

^ assembly numbers; shirasaya are for storage when the sword is not being carried. Generally, a polished sword is kept in shirasaya, and the koshirae kept together with a wooden or steel tsunagi (blade shaped thing.)