Surrender / letter of presentation dated 1946? With pics of sword, mon on saya, tsuba

[Shuriken]

Here's a new one to me--a letter presented with the also pictured sword.

 

I'd love to learn what this document and little card at top discusses. Thank you!

[Shuriken]

[Stephen]

Would like to buy.

[ChrisW]

Now that's something interesting, sword with presentation papers AND a care kit!

[Stephen]

You can keep the care kit...lol

[Nobody]

The paper is an export license application for the katana issued in 1967 when the owner brought it back to the US with him. The small card is a registration paper. The katana is unsigned.

[Shuriken]

@Nobody thank you. Is the 10,538 at lower left the price paid in yen? If so, he paid approximately 41,000Y/$357 equivalent in today's yen/dollars for the sword.

[Nobody]

That is a serial number of the registration card.

[ROKUJURO]

The HABAKI does not seem to fit that blade.

[Bugyotsuji]

I’d like to see the Tsuba in more detail.

[Shuriken]

@Bugyotsuji @Stephen What happened here?!

[Shuriken]

Nakago

[Shuriken]

I'm getting the "chop shop" feel, literally and figuratively. Methinks this soldier was sold a bill of goods...

[Stephen]

6 hours ago, Shuriken said:

@Bugyotsuji @Stephen What happened here?!

In reference to the Ana?

Its been fitted many times. They chisel it to make a tight fit.

I don't think Chop shop....i see a very old blade.

[Shuriken]

I'm amazed that someone would literally hack the iron tsuba like that, and not make any attempt at cleaning up the work. Japanese sword making always seems to have a feeling of artistry to it. Would a smith offer this sword to his daimyo with that workmanship?

[Stephen]

No its not a offer sword....think working class samurai. 

[Stephen]

PS  look for tsuba on net or for sale. More than a few ...even famous ones...like that.

[Shuriken]

1 hour ago, Stephen said:

PS  look for tsuba on net or for sale. More than a few ...even famous ones...like that.

Thank you for opening my eyes @Stephen which happens here on NMB almost every day. You're absolutely right, of course! And then I found this tsuba on eBay which not only has similar, if not same level of modification, but the overall shape and design is very similar!

 

https://www.ebay.com/itm/324945004066?chn=ps&norover=1&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-117182-37290-0&mkcid=2&itemid=324945004066&targetid=1262749491582&device=c&mktype=&googleloc=9031025&poi=&campaignid=14859008593&mkgroupid=130497710760&rlsatarget=pla-1262749491582&abcId=9300678&merchantid=223125019&gclid=CjwKCAiA8bqOBhANEiwA-sIlN74P1EFv3kaIRvufYtew5VvxSEvD4WgF3r3e2-FjY9KFyKDyWMSwNRoC5kcQAvD_BwE

[DTM72]

On 12/29/2021 at 4:50 PM, Shuriken said:

 

 

Looks to be the remnants of a signature there. appears to be signed tachi mei.

[Stephen]

100% in agreement Dan .... papers may say not signed but it is.

[vajo]

 

 

looks like an old sword. Later than muromachi?

 

 

nice tsuba btw. Aoi leaves i think. (edit: what shall we do with the dr...)

[ROKUJURO]

When the metal breaks off like this close to the NAKAGO-ANA, this could be an indication that it might be cast.

Design is probably ICHO (Ginkgo leaves).

[vajo]

Ah sorry yes of course. It was late and to much beer  

[george trotter]

That kanji below the mekugi ana  looks like 'SA'. can't make out the others.

[Stephen]

Let's dig deeper into the sword. How about a shot the other side of the Tang.

Some photos of the blade especially the kissaki.  The sugata thats the entire blade sans fittings.

The nagasa measurements. The tip to munemachi notch.

Please dont lay on white cloth the first photo looks like the upper hamon is missing. White is the worst background. You're in Cali so it can't be too cold outside,  photos with your sun at your back,it really brings out a lot. 

Finally any close-ups of any activity such as hada hamon ... Anything that you can photograph

[Stephen]

So you know,  my kake is pleading to fill me, go ahead and bug him about it. LOL 

 

 

[Stephen]

13 hours ago, ROKUJURO said:

When the metal breaks off like this close to the NAKAGO-ANA, this could be an indication that it might be cast.

 

Jean are you saying all tsuba chiseled like that are cast?

[ROKUJURO]

Stephen,

 

No, I'm not saying that. But it might be an indication.

Looking closely, a TAGANE mark pushes the metal in the direction of the NAKAGO-ANA, where it can be filed to fit the blade exactly. The bottom of these TAGANE marks are usually smooth from the (TAGANE) tip. Sometimes you see clearly that the metal could not be 'moved' as it should have been if it had sufficient ductility. Cast iron usually breaks like a Cookie and cannot be pushed in a certain direction, it rather breaks off. The surface in such a case is usually coarse and not smooth. 

I have seen copied TSUBA with cast-in TAGANE marks. These look different from totally handmade TSUBA which has to do with the casting process. In older TSUBA which have had a lot of corrosion, the indentations can also be less smooth and look dubious. I don't think that there is a hard and fast rule; one has to see the respective TSUBA in hand and consider the general condition and age to make an assessment.

[Stephen]

David have we moved on from this sword?

[Shuriken]

Hi Stephen--I'll be back on that Monday with photos.