iaito identification and reintroduction

[xander zane]

Hello all,

 

Not been on here in a long time, life got in the way of my passions and hobbies, until I stumbled across this today.

 

It peeked my interest and was what I would consider a extremely reasonable price. 

 

Any info as to age, origin, price etc would be appreciated, I'm still learning after all. 

 

I believe it to be a Japanese made iaito used for training.

 

I'm thinking 60-70s? Possibly 80s?

A starter piece.

 

(Apologies if the sageo? Offends anyone i had a go at tying it myself)

Unfortunately its become oxidized and rusted in some places due to age and poor storage i imagine but I'm mainly going to use it as a decorative item, and also practically as im a martial arts instructor or was many moons ago.

 

Just looking to get back into collecting and this is me saying hi and dipping my foot back in.

 

 

 

Thanks in advance Xander. 

[ROKUJURO]

Alex,

the photos do not allow an exhaustive comment. 

The sword looks like a IAITO, and I cannot see if the (blunt?) blade is made of steel or of the usual aluminium-zinc alloy (and then chrome-plated). As you observed corrosion, it might indeed be steel. 

The KODOGU (what I can see in these photos) seem to be of the usual cheap quality: cast or, more likely, pressed metal, so they don't help for a decorative item. I cannot decide if any part was made in Japan or elsewhere. At least the TSUKA-ITO is made the correct way which may point to Japan. 

As it looks like a KATANA, it should be placed cutting-edge upwards on the stand, and the TSUKA positioned to the left side (unless you expect war activities close to your place).

If you could show the NAKAGO, there might be more to see. 

[xander zane]

Hello Jean,

 

Thank you for your infomative reply.

 

Sorry for the pictures I took them hastily when I got home I've just come back from a long trip, which is when I picked this up in a random antique store on my way home.

 

I'll take some better ones in natural light in the morning with my camera and attempt disassembly to see the nakago.

 

I believe it is a Iaito too, its what I assumed it was when i purshased it anyway.

 

I'm 99% certain its aluminium zinc alloy.

 

The rust was more on the kodogu. Yes they are of low quality. As i expected they where, most appear to be, personally i don't think it withdraws from the decorative appeal though. I think it just adds a bit of patina. Not to mosts taste I know. Especially purists.

 

I would not want to use something pristine practically anyway. 

 

I have repositioned it appropriately. Thank you for clearing that up. Something new I've leant there. 

 

I'll post some slightly clearer images now then try better in the morning with my camera.

 

Thanks Xander.