Hello everyone,

I recently had come into my possession this katana, now I don't know much about them, being mostly interested in western style swords and was wondering if anyone can tell me more about it.

It has a nice wooden sheath and handle, with decorative fittings on both, it's held together with one bamboo pin, it also has two small knives hidden in the sheath. The guard appears to be iron, and has a bull on it.

It was said to be a WII Japanese soldiers sword given to a medic who was trying to save his life. The sword has significant emotional value to me, but i would like to know more about it's style, origins, date, ect. anything anyone could share with me would be great!

I'm attaching several pictures, if anyone wants a better look at any part of it just say so and i'll upload whatever you need.

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Two more, imaged of the guard and the overall blade with knives.

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Hi David

Welcome to the forums.

I highly doubt the story and age of this piece and it appears to me to be a fairly recently made decorative sword. There are really so many things that look wrong that it is difficult to say where to start. It is most likely Chinese made and not terribly old, maybe a couple f decades. Stories get passed along with the owners of swords like this and it is taking a look at what Japanese swords actually look like that the differences and faults come to mind.

If you have not spend any real time in looking at antique and military Japanese swords, start with a link such as this one.
http://home.earthlink.net/~steinrl/nihonto.htm

Then for random selection of antiques, maybe browse the japanese section here
http://www.antiqueswords.com/

That first informational link will lead to a great deal more information.

Starting with practicalities, the woodwork while very attractive, never foundto have been used during WWII and by a soldier. The blade is badly formed. The accessory knifes are rudimentary representations but not what one would have seen as a pair, There would have been a pick and/or a knife. You mention the guard (tsuba), It is coarsely cast and ill formed. Again, looking at antiques will point out the problems. There were tourists swords made with a Japanese made in droves during the post war years but this is much newer (my opinion).

If this was given as a gift, honor it as a well intentioned one but if purchased, I hope it was not terribly costly.

Large pictures of the point of the blade (kissaki) and the blade collar (habaki) can be other points to look at but I am pretty sure will just confirm what I can see in those pictures. I am not a collector or authority on Japanese swords but that may be telling in that there are so many issues that can be seen with this piece. really, rather than my going point by point, I suggest again to take a look at some antiques and learn some about how they were made and what to look for.

Cheers

GC

The sword looks like it may old, but to me it looks to be from the Japanese export market after WWII. During WWII, Japan used the type 94 and type 98 sword patterns.
(Picture of the type 98) http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons...ype_98.jpg

The non traditional wood grip and scabbard make me lean towards it being from the Japanese post war export market rather than pre-war or WWII era. A Family friend of mine has a Japanese officer sword from a man his father shot in the pacific, that has a type 98/94 grip, traditionally forged blades, and a non standard issue leather and wood scabbard.

This link has a short passage about american GI's purchasing japanese swords in occupied japan. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese_sword#R...modern_use

There is also the chance that it is even newer than WWII, or not even Japanese, but the full tang makes me think it isn't some cheap Pakistani knock off.

Hi all :)

I don't have the knowledge of the katana. :(
(I'm a Japanese. But I am not interested in a katana... :( )

ummmm... this sword looks like folk crafts for me.
ummmmm... I think that it is not made in Japan...

[ Linked Image ]

thanks ^^

Also the marking looks like its sharpied on. It should be etched into the tang if it was from a smith (with his name)