Edged Item - Japanese Sword

I know I may be a little late, but will give my two cents worth. I have been collecting Japanese swords for about twenty years but, that doesn`t make me a expert. If this were my sword I would find a honest dealer in swords that can translate the writeing on the tang, if any. Just because a tang has writeing on it does not make it a good sword. Many signatures were forged (faked) to get a higher price out of it. Quite often a sword will not have any characters on the tang and be a very high grade and important piece. The main thing to look at is the quality of the blade. That can be a science in itself. Chances are you have a partial machine made sword with a oil (not water) temper. If you could send some pics I may be able to tell what you have. No guarentees, but will try. Your sword may be worth anywhere from absoultly nothing to priceless.

 

Almost forgot, I see someone has mentioned that some Vets have given swords back to people in Japan. DON`T DO IT! Those people started the war, not us. I don`t care if Tojo owned a sword, his family doesn`t deserve to get it back. Think of all the servicemen who gave their lives to win the war, then give back the agressors their weapons.I think not! Besides, the Japs cannot own any weapon because they are not stable enough to be trusted anymore. Their gov`t took care of that. They cannot own any firearms and all swords have to be registered if, they are of National importance and the average WWII sword usually does not qualify for that. So, if anyone has any WWII Japanese items keep them or sell them to a U.S. collector.

 

I have a little knowledge here, based on a lot of old research, which may be of general interest.
There were many 'factory' swords, more or less 'machine made', issued in WWII; there were also a lot of familial swords, some, 'repackaged', and many, not, in service; some would date to the 17th Century!
The latter group, the old blades, have great value, as they are long lost heirlooms, to the families from where they originated; the Japanese revere their ancestors, and a familial sword implies a noble house, one whose forbears served the Emperor, to the death.
As such, some are bringing prices, for their return, far in excess of a new car, often, more than a modest house.
The old blades are a knife maker's 'wet dream', with the temper lines, hardness, and toughness we are hard pressed to match, today.
44Mag, yes, the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor, and essentially started the war, in the Pacific.
But that is over, more than 50 years ago.
We, as a freedom loving nation, locked up thousands of people of Japanese descent, into prison camps, called 'Internment Centers', because we were so scared they might side with their former country; Of this, off topic, I know much, as I worked for a man, for several years, so imprisoned.
I say to the subject, first, identify the blade, as to maker, and dynasty.
If it is an old blade, publish a inquiry, as to surviving heirs; listen to what they say and ask.
If my father had died, say, in Beitut, what price might I pay to recover his remains?
The Japanese feel so, about these blades!

 

Well said Stash!

Quite a few years ago I had the opportunity to train with the current version of the Japanese army and become quite friendly with many of their troops. They were the most generous hosts and some of the finest people I have met anywhere in the world.

I never met any Japanese that were old enough to remember the Second War but those I did meet had no animosity toward us. They had huge respect and admiration for the United States. It was actually very touching after all of the places I've been where "Death to America!" is the norm.

The Samurai may be gone but the warrior spirit still resides in their military and old traditional families. As one proud people to another, and as friends, I say give the old swords back to the families if they can be found. Perhaps for the price of a round trip ticket to Japan to deliver it in person?

 

Or, perhaps, I'll pay the air fare, for the satisfaction of knowing such an historic blade has finally gone home; it is the right thing to do.

 

That's good too. It's well worth it to make the acquaintance of what may very likely become a life long friend.

 

"That which was always yours will be returned to you and that which was never yours will be taken away." spoken proverb