A new Wakizashi purchase today

[KB1107]

Hello All,

 

It’s been a while since I’ve posted anything or asked a question here… mainly due to my gun collection side taking priority over the swords. Anyways, I saw an ad for this sword a few month ago and the asking price was $1150.00 (I believe). Recently, the price was lowered to $750… the seller stated that his grandfathers friend obtained this sword while serving overseas in WW2. The story the seller told me was… according to his grandfather, that his friend took this sword off a Japanese naval officer. The grandfather passed away a while ago and the seller inherited this sword. The sword was listed for sale because the seller doesn’t have a use for it and doesn’t collected military items. Anyways, I inquired on the sword since it’s been for sale a long time… I made an offer and the seller accepted..

 

Here’s a few pics of the sword and parts… no signature as you can see. My question will be… I’m assuming the designs on the Fuchs are some sort of a signature or a family mon? I searched online a bit, but didn’t find anything “exact” to what I have.  There looks like a leather type seppa mixed in with the brass ones…I’m just gonna leave it. I was gonna separate them, but the brass septa seems to be too attached to the leather. I like to leave them as original as possible. The blade is beautiful… one of the nicest one that I have (Looks much better in person). Any and all feedback is welcome.

 

Now… the back story on the sword? Well, probably just a story… I don’t see a naval officer possessing this civilian sword. I could be wrong… and usually I am. I just thought I would share my new acquisition with the forum… I’m completely happy with it.

[KB1107]

This is the other side of the blade where a couple groves have been cut. Interesting that both sides are different… old blade? Oh yes, the says is a basic black civilian type say… very good shape.  
 

 

 

 

[John C]

David:

Just my two cents: To me, it looks legit but older (though I have no knowledge of kantei). I don't see anything military there, however parts do get replaced over time.

 

John C.

[Brian]

Nice earlier blade, definitely way before WW2. Looks good condition.

[KB1107]

Thanks to both for the replies… I’m mucho happy with it. I agree, not a ww2 military sword. No doubt it’s a WW2 bring back sword… she’s a beauty in real life. 

[ROKUJURO]

David,

whatever it is, please DO NOT TOUCH THE BLADE WITH YOUR BARE HANDS !

It looks like a decent and possibly older (= a few hundred years) blade, and any damage (like rusty fingerprints) will reduce the considerable value.

[KB1107]

Yes… just put a thin coat of oil and to the rack with the others she goes.
 

Funny, I have a couple military blades where somebody over the years  touched the blade(s) with their bare hands. The ridges and valleys from their fingers are like fingerprint cards on the blade. The ridges from their fingers turned black on the blades over the years. A good reason a little oil is a good lesson.

 

Someones fingerprint will forever be attached to this sword!  

 

Thanks for the post.

[ROKUJURO]

This can and should be removed as soon as possible. Find someone who has some experience with UCHIKO. If use only in cases of need, it will be o.k.

Blades should be stored in a SHIRA SAYA if possible. If in KOSHIRAE, keep it away from light, lying in a drawer. Take care that no oil goes into the scabbard! 

Your blade might be interesting and should be seen by an expert. In case you are in Florida, Ray Singer (here on the board) may be your man for a first assessment.

[KB1107]

Thanks for the post… I store all my blades out so I can see them. Moisture is a killer for any high carbon blade, this way I can make sure no black is forming on the blade. As far as the fingerprint on the blade, for me… it’s part of the history of the sword. That fingerprint has been on that blade for many years, I’ve had the blade for 10 years. I use it as an example to make sure a thin coat of oil is on the blade… otherwise, this can happen. 
 

This is how I choose to store my blade..

[Rivkin]

Broad, curved wakizashi with takanoha yasurime and visible large gunome... Sounds like end of Muromachi to kanei shinto, Mino school. Sue Seki or alike.

[Ian B3HR2UH]

It seems foolish to display the blades naked and open to the atmosphere . They are traditionally stored in saya for a reason .

Ian Brooks

[lonely panet]

Hate to trip over in that room during a blackout

[vitamin]

Have you had them all identified?

[KB1107]

Yes, most have been identified… most are signed… most are gendiato

 

Foolish to store this way? Naked to the atmosphere? They are usually stored in the saya to protect the blade and transport…yes. This is the way I’ve chose to store them for the past several years (without any issue). Plus, I’m willing to believe that they’ve been subject to much more crucial environment than in my gunroom, on racks, and in AC. They survived WW2… that in itself was a miracle! Now they just enjoy retirement like me….

 

Thanks all for the comments… and thank you Rivkin for the putting a range date to this sword.

D

 

 
 

 

[cisco-san]

  On 6/17/2024 at 5:08 PM, ROKUJURO said:

This can and should be removed as soon as possible. Find someone who has some experience with UCHIKO. If use only in cases of need, it will be o.k.

Blades should be stored in a SHIRA SAYA if possible. If in KOSHIRAE, keep it away from light, lying in a drawer. Take care that no oil goes into the scabbard! 

Your blade might be interesting and should be seen by an expert. In case you are in Florida, Ray Singer (here on the board) may be your man for a first assessment.

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Hello Jean,

 

please forgive my ignorance, but why "If in KOSHIRAE, keep it away from light, lying in a drawer. "?

 

thanks

Klaus

[Brian]

Sunlight is damaging to urushi and tsuka ito?

[ROKUJURO]

  On 6/18/2024 at 3:41 PM, cisco-san said:

....why "If in KOSHIRAE, keep it away from light, lying in a drawer. "?   

Expand  

As Brian wrote.

Usually, in the drawer, also atmospheric changes are moderate which is good for the preservation of wood, lacquer, and silk.

[Scogg]

Sunlight damages nearly everything given enough time and exposure.

 

It will bleach fabrics, hair, synthetic and natural materials. It will burn your skin, and dull the paint on your car. It will even turn your beer skunky! 

Best to keep fine art out of the sun, and many museums even ban flash photography due to an excess of caution.
All the best,
-Sam

[KB1107]

I 100% agree with all of you in regard to sunlight. My swords never leave my gunroom (No windows/ no sunlight). There’s only led light for about 30 minutes a day. I don’t think led will harm anything, or at least it hasn’t in the years I’ve been collecting.

 

I’ve seen a lot of damage/pitting from swords, guns, knives, and bayonets being stored in leather holsters, metal/wood scabbards. I’m sure all of you have seen tips of blades or cutting edges with dark spots or pitting. People store these pieces for years without pulling them out and cleaning them. Moisture is like satan… it just needs a starting point!

 

Thank you to all that have commented. I enjoy hearing comments and always learn new things by reading posts here. 

[Jacques]

  On 6/18/2024 at 6:14 PM, GeorgeLuucas said:

Sunlight damages nearly everything given enough time and exposure.

 

It will bleach fabrics, hair, synthetic and natural materials. It will burn your skin, and dull the paint on your car. It will even turn your beer skunky! 

Best to keep fine art out of the sun, and many museums even ban flash photography due to an excess of caution.
All the best,
-Sam

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Partially right The culprits are UV rays, whose energy is high enough to break molecular bonds, thus degrading dye molecules. When the binding energy is too high, UV energy is no longer sufficient to break them down, which is why mineral pigments are insensitive to UV.