Unknown Japanese sword

[John H]

Hello:

 

I had posted a sword on reddit and it was recommended I post here. I do not know anything about swords, however one of the users commented, "

Hmm. Markus Sesko's Swordsmiths of Japan lists three Kiyonaga who signed this way, active from late Kamakura to mid-Nanbokucho (late 13th–mid-14th century). To me the shape does not look quite typical for a blade from those eras though. I'd probably place it in the Muromachi era (15th-16th century), but that's a low-confidence guess. You may want to try posting this on the Nihonto Message Board for more qualified opinions.

 

Another user from a different board sent me this link: https://sanmei.com/c...239_S2834_PUP_E.html

 

Here is the sword, thank you very much.

[Geraint]

Dear John.

 

Welcome to NMB!  Well you already have the translation so what you have is a traditional Japanese sword that has been outfitted for use in WWII.  Bear in mind that swords are often given false signatures.

 

Rule 1: Don't do anything more than wipe with a cloth and some light oil, don't do the tang just the blade and keep on at it, quite a lot of surface muck will come off.

The tsuba is the rather nicer pierced type, it has the square hole for the spring catch that often secures the sword into it's metal scabbard but then someone has cut away part of the tsuba which might have allowed a leather strap to pass through the tsuba and fit to a press stud on the leather combat cover.  Any sign of that on the leather?

 

Some better images of the fittings would be nice but again, no cleaning.

 

Also what is the length from the very tip to the notch on the back of the blade please?  

 

Others will chime in with thoughts about age.

 

All the best.

 

[John H]

Thanks! There is a stud on the leather of the scabbard (Saya?), I believe you can see it on the 3rd picture I posted if that's what you're talking about. 

 

There is a metal piece that wont come off at the end of blade, 1 inch in diameter. So, depending on that, 23-24 inches (58.42 - 60.96 cm). Don't quote me on that.

 

May I ask what type of picture you all would want?

Thanks!

[John C]

10 hours ago, John H said:

There is a metal piece that wont come off at the end of blade

Are you talking about the squarish piece (habaki) or the oblong spacer (seppa)? If it is the habaki, set the tang (nakago) on the carpet or other soft surface and have someone carefully hold the blade end vertically (use a thick cloth - it just needs to be held in place). Then take a piece of wood with square edges (for example a cut chopstick with flat ends) and place it just on the edge of the top of the habaki where it butts up next to the blade. GENTLY tap on the wood, alternating each side until the habaki starts to slide off toward the nakago end. You should be able to then pull it off with your hands. I use a 3/4 inch square dowel and another piece of thin wood to do light taps. 

John C.

[vajo]

Looks like nio kiyonaga 二王清永