Is anyone familiar with these symbols?

[Plat]

Images are from a sword found in my grandfather's attic. It was located among his WWII items, and apparently he obtained this in Japan. 

 

Any assistance greatly appreciated! 

[Grey Doffin]

Hi Matt,

The symbols are called Mon, a Japanese family crest. Your sword is a traditional samurai sword, not a WWII military sword, and the fact that the same mon appears on both the scabbard and the handle piece (fuchi) tells us that care was taken in mounting the sword and it might be something worth attention. Resist all urges to fix anything you think is wrong with the sword; well meaning amateurs often do unwitting damage. Please leave repairs to the pros.

Normally here I would post a link to a care and handling website but I have a new computer and have lost my bookmarks. Maybe someone else will post it for us.

If you have other questions and would like to talk with someone, feel free to call sometime. I'd be glad to help.

Best,  Grey  218-726-0395 central time

[Bugyotsuji]

A long history to this Mon. ‘Maru ni Ichi no Kakuji’, unbelievably a 1 written in old angular form, in a circle!

https://www.google.co.jp/search?q=丸に一の角字&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&hl=ja-jp&client=safari

[SteveM]

This makes me think the mon in the other thread is also an angular kanji (instead of a genji letter, like I originally thought). Will post in that other thread.

[ChrisW]

Would love to see the blade itself!

[Grey Doffin]

Hi again Matt,

Here is the care and handling brochure I mentioned:

https://nbthk-ab2.org/sword-characteristics/

Grey

[Plat]

11 hours ago, ChrisW said:

Would love to see the blade itself!

Thanks for the replies! Hoping to find out more about this blade, but do not have a lot of history on it. All I know for certain is what I was told, that my grandfather obtained this in Japan during the war. 

 

Here is the bare blade. Tip appears to be missing which is a shame. 

 

It is magnetic (steel?), and does appear quite old. I've only worn gloves while touching it as I read horror stories or finger print rust spots. 

 

Tang is a nice dark color, but I do not see a signature anywhere. Got plenty of pics if you want more!

 

Wish it were in better shape! But it has not enjoyed bring in an attic for 15+ years!

[rancho]

I supose its an old blade because you have 2 holes for the bambo wood lock so we can presume that the blade where mounted 2 times with different handles during time

I suggest you to go see somebody that can evaluate properly the sword 

My 2 cents

Eric.

[ChrisW]

4 hours ago, Plat said:

Thanks for the replies! Hoping to find out more about this blade, but do not have a lot of history on it. All I know for certain is what I was told, that my grandfather obtained this in Japan during the war. 

 

Here is the bare blade. Tip appears to be missing which is a shame. 

 

It is magnetic (steel?), and does appear quite old. I've only worn gloves while touching it as I read horror stories or finger print rust spots. 

 

Tang is a nice dark color, but I do not see a signature anywhere. Got plenty of pics if you want more!

 

Wish it were in better shape! But it has not enjoyed bring in an attic for 15+ years!

The tip (kissaki) appears to be mostly intact and as stated, the blade appears to be older. Could we get some close ups of the nakago, kissaki, and any activity in the steel you might be able to see? (such as hamon, hada)

[Plat]

2 hours ago, ChrisW said:

The tip (kissaki) appears to be mostly intact and as stated, the blade appears to be older. Could we get some close ups of the nakago, kissaki, and any activity in the steel you might be able to see? (such as hamon, hada)

Please see attached! Do these help any? Have higher quality, but too large to upload. 

 

Did notice characters...maybe signature? 

 

Thank you for your replies 

[ChrisW]

The very tip of the kissaki is indeed snapped off, however it is most assuredly not fatal and a good togishi can easily rectify it. The blade appears to be older than WWII by virtue of the patination of the nakago and the fact that there are two mekugi-ana. The tsuba is also quite nice but I am unable to read kanji so you'll have to wait on a translation from someone else.

[SteveM]

越前住 Echizen-jū

but everything on the left side, which is where the specific artist's name should be, is illegible. 

[Bazza]

Like others, I'm guessing it might read KINAI SAKU??

 

BaZZa.

[Bugyotsuji]

And that, ladies and gentlemen, is called an educated guess!