Katana sword for review

[kpaintner]

Pic 16

[kpaintner]

Pic 17

[BruceP]

You are right about the Showa stamp. That should mean it's non-traditionally made. I don't know what to think about this thing - it's a WWII blade fitted in seemingly old koshirae. I'm also puzzled by the kanji style - fat and crude.

Hopefully Guy or Bob will comment.

[kpaintner]

This came from a vets family. Could it be something put together during occupational times as a souvenir?

[Sengoku]

During the pre-war rise of nationalism there was a revival of interest in the practice of traditional sword arts. The result was a demand for traditional style katana in usable condition and various firms catered to this demand. Fully traditional blades were expensive and so others were made in a variety of non traditional methods, mounted in the traditional manner. During the war quite a few of these were converted to a greater of lesser degree into Shin Gunto and carried off to war.

[kpaintner]

Can anyone tell who the maker is?

[Beater]

Ikami Sadahiro, a Seki smith. Oshigata 270 in "Swordsmiths of Japan 1926-1945", by Fuller & Gregory.

Here's another by him also in civilian koshirae. https://www.gunstar.co.uk/japanese-o.../Blades/928555

And another but in gunto mounts. http://www.militaria.co.za/nmb/topic...on-blacksmith/

[BruceP]

Ikami Sadahiro, a Seki smith. Oshigata 270 in "Swordsmiths of Japan 1926-1945", by Fuller & Gregory.

Here's another by him also in civilian koshirae. https://www.gunstar.co.uk/japanese-o.../Blades/928555

And another but in gunto mounts. http://www.militaria.co.za/nmb/topic...on-blacksmith/

Good to see you prowling the forum again Kevin! And thanks for the translation! I'm just surprised by the kanji style. But it matches your first one that you referenced!

[oldhonda]

Pic 12

Good looking sword. I like it. IMHO, it's the better one of the three.

[oldhonda]

During the pre-war rise of nationalism there was a revival of interest in the practice of traditional sword arts. The result was a demand for traditional style katana in usable condition and various firms catered to this demand. Fully traditional blades were expensive and so others were made in a variety of non traditional methods, mounted in the traditional manner. During the war quite a few of these were converted to a greater of lesser degree into Shin Gunto and carried off to war.

When did the Sho stamp come to being? This will put an earliest date on this sword.

[BruceP]

When did the Sho stamp come to being? This will put an earliest date on this sword.

An article on Ryujin Swords says the showa stamp began in 1940.

And I agree about the blade. I have always enjoyed the officer gunto with bo-hi.

[oldhonda]

Thanks Bruce. That puts the sword as early as 1940.

[kpaintner]

Thanks for all the comments and info