lach470 Posted January 8, 2008 Posted January 8, 2008 Well gang! These don't come cheap - and they're just not that easy to find anymore - but I was able to acquire this Japanese Officer's WW2 Katana and I'm psyched! I know this example is legit - it's been in at least three collections that I know of! Lakesidetrader took it in trade and I got her! Wooden scabbard that is nicely wrapped in leather. I took the leather off for some shots but won't venture down that road too often....wood is delicate - but solid and intact. Blade is nice too. Tang is marked "Hirotada made this" (litteral translation).I am in the process of trying to acquire more info on the maker and when/where it might have been manufactured. If any of you have any info, I'd love to hear about it!Here are some pics for you guys! Now I have an officer's example and an NCO example. I'm pretty happy with this one!Cheers!Rob
lach470 Posted January 8, 2008 Author Posted January 8, 2008 Here are the two swords together....Damn...I think they look great together! RobYou'll notice how the NCO sword has the alum. handle and the "blood groove" in the blade....the officer's example does not display that groove. 1
lach470 Posted January 8, 2008 Author Posted January 8, 2008 The handle on the officer's sword is also a full 2 inches longer than the NCO type. Here's a pic to show that ....and another pic displaying the ray skin on the officer's handle under the wrap. It's darkened over age - or perhaps was in a smoker's home. It's pretty dark!Rob
norwest78 Posted January 8, 2008 Posted January 8, 2008 Rob, you're turning Japanese! LOL Those are real beauties. I should have bought one long ago, and you're making me regret it!
lach470 Posted January 8, 2008 Author Posted January 8, 2008 Hahahaha! Kev man! These are the only two Japanese pieces in my entire collection! There is something about these swords - you hold one and you can just feel the power behind it! They have a lot of character - and epitomize the Japanese in WW2 (for me anyways) - the same way the German helmet does for the German soldier!Glad you like 'em bud! I'm happy to have one of each now!Cheers!Rob
lach470 Posted January 8, 2008 Author Posted January 8, 2008 By the way - I completely forgot to add a pic of the tang markings....if anyone else sees anything else in these markings...Please let me know! It's much appreciated!Cheers!Rob
Brian Wolfe Posted January 8, 2008 Posted January 8, 2008 Hi Rob,You made my day. Great sword !The "blood grove" is actually called a "fuller" in western swords and I think it is called the "hi" when speaking about Japanese blades.Is there any sword that feels better in the hands than the SHIN-GUNTO or the KYU-GUNTO?Cheers Brian 1
lach470 Posted January 8, 2008 Author Posted January 8, 2008 Hey Brian! Glad to have brightened your day for you! I completely agree - there is nothing that feels better in hand than one of these swords.....just makes you want to start swinging! Glad you like it buddy! Thanks for the additional info to on the blood groove!Cheers!Rob
Pylon1357 Posted January 10, 2008 Posted January 10, 2008 - there is nothing that feels better in hand than one of these swords.....just makes you want to start swinging! Cheers!RobRob my friend, you are really starting to scare me..... LOLNice aquisition for sure. I know very little about these swords but do find them very interesting. Something I would like to have in my collection, just because.
lach470 Posted January 10, 2008 Author Posted January 10, 2008 Hey Cliff buddy! Glad you like it! Next show in Ottawa - I'll bring it down and you can check it out! Once in hand - you'll want one even more! Cheers!Rob
Henry 24th Posted January 10, 2008 Posted January 10, 2008 By the way - I completely forgot to add a pic of the tang markings....if anyone else sees anything else in these markings...Please let me know! It's much appreciated!Cheers!RobHello Lach470Are you certain the signature is Hirotada saku?Perhaps it is the scan but I read it as Tanaka Kanetada saku.I have no information to back this up and may indeed be completely wrong, especially since each kanji can be read multipe ways.Regards...Henry
Paul L Murphy Posted January 10, 2008 Posted January 10, 2008 Hello Lach470Are you certain the signature is Hirotada saku?Perhaps it is the scan but I read it as Tanaka Kanetada saku.I have no information to back this up and may indeed be completely wrong, especially since each kanji can be read multipe ways.Regards...HenryThe smith's name is definitely Tanaka and those two characters together are not read any other way. Kanetada can be read a couple of different ways but none of them are Hirotada so I suspect one of the earlier owners of the sword got their collecting notes mixed up somewhere along the way.Beautiful sword bye the way.Paul
lach470 Posted January 10, 2008 Author Posted January 10, 2008 Yes....Sorry...I sent the markings off to a Japanese sword collector a couple days ago and he did get back to me with KANETADA....not Hirotada....You guys are bang on the money! Thanks for the help! It's much appreciated! I"m glad you guys like the sword...I'm still on a high! Cheers!Rob
lach470 Posted January 13, 2008 Author Posted January 13, 2008 I took the sword apart and took some more pics...Also wanted to show the tang markings a little better! Cheers!Rob
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