WW2 Wakizashi (Short Sword) Help?

[vcpk9]

I need your help guys: I got this WW2 Japanese short sword from my great uncle that brought it home from WW2. Ive had it since the 80s but couldn't find it until this morning...If anybody else wants to add their opinions..it would be greatly appreciated..Could you any of you help me with the following Questions:
What type of sword is it?
Is it WW2 era or earlier manufacture?
Who would have carried this sword in WW 2?
What type of reproduction siya can i get for it to help protect the blade? What is it's approximate value? Any other info would

[Bob Coleman]

This is a hirazukuri(flat)wakizashi that is older than WW2. In the present condition, it is difficult to accurately estimate age on the piece without a hands on examination. It is likely late 16th or 17th century. The handle is missing all of it's fittings. The iron tsuba is decent butt in rough condition from neglect. Without spending a great amount of money for restoration, the best preservation at this point is to keep it in a dry enviroment and do not try to do any restoration work by yourself.

[vcpk9]

Thx....Bob...Will having an experieced polisher and restorer devalue it since it isnt a military sword?

[lugernut]

Thx....Bob...Will having an experieced polisher and restorer devalue it since it isnt a military sword?

No, but it's up to you if you want to spend a lot of $$. BTW it stings to see a blade in this condition due to years of neglect.

[GHP]

I cannot make heads or tails out of the tsuba signature.

Right side: The first kanji is most definitely 武 "Bu". The only province that has Bu is 武蔵国 / 武州 Musashi Kuni / Bushu; BUT that second kanji is neither 州 "shu" nor 国 "kuni" -- it looks something like 際. The third kanji is 住 "juu/sumu".

武際住 ??? or is it a very wierd way of engraving:
武蔵住

Left side: the first kanji is 一 "1"; I am now not certain of the second kanji. At first I thought it was 宗 for 一宗 Ichimune. But the more I look at it ... L2 looks like for 一宋 Ichisō / Issō ??????

I cannot make out any other kanji.

Hopefully these clues (and SWAGs) can help Bob and others who have a deep background in these arcane matters.

--Guy

[vcpk9]

WOW...Thks alot GHP...so what does that translation mean regarding the blade maker...Ive been told by others on a couple other websites that the blade was rather crudely made...idk if thats true or not....

[Bob Coleman]

WOW...Thks alot GHP...so what does that translation mean regarding the blade maker...Ive been told by others on a couple other websites that the blade was rather crudely made...idk if thats true or not....

Guy is referring to the maker's name on the tsuba or sword guard. Those who have stated this blade is crudely made show that one must not always believe ignorant statements coming from those with little to no knowledge. The blade appears to be well made and needs an in hand inspection by a respected person of knowledge to let you know whether the blade is worth investing polish money in.

[vcpk9]

Many thx again Bob...I am thinking about sending it to Moses Becerra or Jimmy Hayashi for a price quote.

[Bob Coleman]

Many thx again Bob...I am thinking about sending it to Moses Becerra or Jimmy Hayashi for a price quote.

Good choices. They can tell you if it is worth investing polish money in it.

[Brian Robinson]

Couple of indicators that hint that it might be even older. It's certainly had a lot of polishing in its life. Lost a lot of meat. The double habaki says that it might have been highly regarded once. But I think the nakago has been cleaned.
Restoration will likely be more than it's worth, but often is done ou of desire to preserve the sword. One of the polshers should be able to advise you if it is worth spending money on. At least get a window polished.

Brian

[vcpk9]

Thx for your input Brian...i appreciate it...Some other people have estimated that the blade could be from the 1500s..but idk..the sword was just sent off to an experienced polisher...He will examine the blade and let me know if its able to be polished or not...(lets keep our fingers crossed that it can)...if the blade polishes up well...im going to get it fully restored and try to eventually get shinta paperwork for it...but its a long step by step process...so ill just have to wait and see. Ill keep u guys updated.

[vcpk9]

I just got word from the polisher today...He examined the blade...The tanto is over 500 years old..the blade is in bad shape but it CAN be repolished...He is going to do a full restoration...it will take about a year but ill post pics when i get it back.

[reeder3]

My suggestion is save your money from a polish and buy a better sword.

Also, which polisher are you using? There are a lot of amateurs that claim to be the real deal. Only there there are a couple here worth sending blades to. I'll let Brian and the others comment here as I have not had to use a polisher yet.

[Bob Coleman]

My suggestion is save your money from a polish and buy a better sword.

Also, which polisher are you using? There are a lot of amateurs that claim to be the real deal. Only there there are a couple here worth sending blades to. I'll let Brian and the others comment here as I have not had to use a polisher yet.

In a previous post, he mentioned sending the blade to either Moses Becarra or Jimmy Hiyashi, both of who are true Japanese trained polishers. Neither are pretenders who bought a set of stones and know how to grind steel on them.

[reeder3]

In a previous post, he mentioned sending the blade to either Moses Becarra or Jimmy Hiyashi, both of who are true Japanese trained polishers. Neither are pretenders who bought a set of stones and know how to grind steel on them.

Thanks, definitely missed that.