Interested in identifying this sword

[Kyleb]

I recently acquired this from a man who found it in a storage locker in Ohio.  It seems to be very old and is signed on the tang. I know little about these but know other antique metals and this shows some serious patina. 

[Rivkin]

Two keys things are missing - overall shot of the sword and the whole nakago. The writing is quite coarse, raising questions as of its originality.

[mecox]

Possibly is “Taikei Naotane” (大慶直胤)  of Musashi worked in Bunsei (1818-1830) and had many students.  Looks to be an early war remounted traditional sword in budget koshirae.  Nakago is shortened and part of mei missing.   Saya has a mon of 3 leaves (pointing out) could be water lilly ?   But not sure.

 

An example:  ヤフオク! - 大慶直胤 花押 乱れ刃紋 青海波紋ハバキ 長さ６... (yahoo.co.jp)

[Kyleb]

2 hours ago, Rivkin said:

Two keys things are missing - overall shot of the sword and the whole nakago. The writing is quite coarse, raising questions as of its originality.

Thanks , I am having trouble posting the pictures that show it completely due to image size limits and can't make them smaller on my phone. I'll keep trying, thanks!

[Kyleb]

2 hours ago, mecox said:

Possibly is “Taikei Naotane” (大慶直胤)  of Musashi worked in Bunsei (1818-1830) and had many students.  Looks to be an early war remounted traditional sword in budget koshirae.  Nakago is shortened and part of mei missing.   Saya has a mon of 3 leaves (pointing out) could be water lilly ?   But not sure.

 

An example:  ヤフオク! - 大慶直胤 花押 乱れ刃紋 青海波紋ハバキ 長さ６... (yahoo.co.jp)

Thank you! very interesting, it does look like it could be that name. The tang (Nakago? ) does look to have been cut. Was this common in the war?  The iron circular piece that i think would protect your hands also has the leaves pattern, they look almost like hearts. There are also flowers in copper or brass on the handle that have been wrapped over.

[mecox]

Need info on the blade......length of cutting edge (nagasa), length of tang (nakago).  Yes nakago is shortened for remounting but may have been earlier, not necessarily for WW2.  The ornament under the wrapping is brass of 3 cherry blossums (sakura).   You need to search this site for info in "shingunto".