Old Katana, or is it?

[Patrick Chadwick]

The first one is a crested bird. A crane, perhaps? Or maybe a dragon? Anyway, that is a wing in the centre.

- I haven't a clue about Japanese swords, so my answer is not prejudiced by any specific knowledge

Information

Warning: This is a relatively older thread This discussion is older than 360 days. Some information contained in it may no longer be current.

[IanS]

Hi Cinders,

You appear to have an old blade dressed up in military guise. The main giveaways are the tsuba, menuki and the saya. The holes in the tang usually indicate that the blade has been shortened, this most likely done when there was a legal requirement to do so and that's a long time ago. The blade is most likely a family blade used by a family member, serving as an army officer. The tang is very clean and usually it is pretty rusty when very old. I haven't a clue what the writing says, possibly the date made and or the smith's name. You can find the date conversions online as with the names of sword smiths, probably a time consuming job though. The value of the sword will be mostly in the blade, a lot more than $175Aud.

Hi Surpmil, hi Patrick,

thanks for the input, it's very helpful and very much appreciated

Ian

[IanS]

Had another look at the puzzling menuki and having looked more closely, it seems there are two sets of clenched claws/toes, under what could be described as the neck or crop of a crane.
In the circumstances, I'm going to accept Patrick's explanation. Surpmil will have to forgive me unless of course, he agrees too.

I'm glad I asked for help as I can now continue wrapping the tsuka.

Ian