Need advice on next steps with war trophy

[wags27]

Hi all,

 

My grandfather was in the Army during the tail end of WWII and participated in the Battle of Okinawa. Family lore states that this was a Japanese officer's sword and a battlefield capture (along with some other trophies). I know he spent some time immediately after the war in Korea and Japan transporting POW's so he likely also had plenty of opportunities to pick this up after war was over. He's not around to ask anymore so I'll never know for certain about the circumstances that it was acquired.  

 

Regardless, this sword has been in my family since the 1940's and has gone through various phases of abuse and neglect. You can see in the pics that it's not in great shape. I'm not sure what I should do with it next. Since I'd like to keep it in my family I'm looking for advice on how to preserve or restore it. Any info on the sword itself you can share would also be super helpful. 

 

I've been keeping it in its scabbard inside a foam padded rifle case with a light layer of machine oil over the polished portions of the blade. I don't have any pictures older than 1-2 years old, but it looks more or less the same as I remember it my whole life. I wouldn't be surprised if there have been some amateur attempts at cleaning or sharpening it. Along with the oxidation the blade also has its point chipped off and some small notches. 

 

Any advice is welcome! 

 

Thanks,

Chris

[Ray Singer]

Signed by Shigekuni and dated a day in the 8th month of the year Kanbun 7 (1667).

 

- Oite Kishu Monju Shigekuni kore o tsukuru

 

- Kanbun shichi nen hachi gatsu hi 

[mywei]

Presumably a later generation Nanki Shigekuni if from Kanbun (provided legit mei)

 

Reference

https://sword-auction.com/en/product/10252/as21671-刀：於紀州文殊重國造之2代/

[Grey Doffin]

Hi Chris,

Doubtless members will write in to suggest you have the sword polished but that is expensive if done right and foolish if you have the work done by someone without the proper training. What's more, it isn't necessarily a good idea for rank beginners at Nihonto to have their swords polished; lack of knowledge leads to mistakes. The light coat of oil you've placed on the blade will suffice to keep the sword from deteriorating. Take some time to learn a lot more before you make any large decisions.

If you'd like to have a dozen questions answered at once feel free to call sometime. I'm not an authority but I have been at it for 40 years and will help if I can.

Grey 218-340-1001 central time

[Stephen]

He's being modest, well versed in nihonto.

[wags27]

Thanks for all the great info everyone, I'll keep researching. Grey, I appreciate the offer. I'll take you up on it sometime soon. 

 

-Chris

[wags27]

[wags27]

[wags27]

Added a few more photos in case anyone was interested.