Hello to you all! (New Member w/sword)

[kronckew]

Originally Posted by David

Rich, i don't think you are going to find a hamon or boshi on this blade as the blade itself seems to be a European VOC trade blade placed in Japanese dress.

yes, for sure the owner should NOT polish the blade, or remove the patina, there will be no hamon on a european VOC blade as they do/did not differentially temper these mono steel blades and it would lose not only value but it's soul. oil it and treat it with the respect due it's age.

[Jim McDougall]

Originally Posted by kronckew

yes, for sure the owner should NOT polish the blade, or remove the patina, there will be no hamon on a european VOC blade as they do/did not differentially temper these mono steel blades and it would lose not only value but it's soul. oil it and treat it with the respect due it's age.

Absolutely perfectly said Kronckew!!!! Someone who truly appreciates what these old weapons are...they are the sentinels of history, and their patination and age are well earned and deserve proper respect. The ONLY exception is when the weapon is compromised by active rust or corrosion and utmost restraint must be employed to remedy that situation.

There are any number of possibilities for this VOC blade being in these interesting mounts, but it is certain this is a proper VOC blade, typically from the hangers they were in originally in the 18th century. As we have noted, these mounts were clearly not executed in proper nihonto standards so probably the work of an artisan in the Dutch East Indies or environs where these VOC blades were available . The provenance from a Japanese officer as a heirloom blade suggests early combining of these components and in Japanese context of course, so the scenario for VOC occupied Japan seems likely.

I cannot see why the scabbard would have Dutch East India company inscription otherwise, and it would be interesting to know exactly how this inscription reads.

I had minimized some of the entries on the linked forum in my first post because I had failed to read the following pages, and the subsequent entries were actually quite informative and well placed.

I am glad that Rich came in on this as he is undoubtedly the best informed authority on Japanese swords I have known of, and in my opinion the 'go to' guy for anything related to them.

Medar, actually we have a thread running on this forum presently which specifically addresses VOC blades (in fact that is the title of the thread). You may find it interesting to read through that to discover more of the history surrounding your blade.

[David]

Originally Posted by Jim McDougall

I cannot see why the scabbard would have Dutch East India company inscription otherwise, and it would be interesting to know exactly how this inscription reads.

I'm i missing a photo here Jim. I don't see any inscription on the scabbard.

[Jim McDougall]

Originally Posted by David

I'm i missing a photo here Jim. I don't see any inscription on the scabbard.

You're right David, my bad!! I did not proof read the text of the thread linked from the other forum. The poster there noted elaborately the VOC stood for Vereenigde Oostindische Compagnie, and in his enthusiasm claimed it was inscribed on the SCABBARD.....obviously he meant the blade and what the 'VOC' meant.
That makes more sense and I should have caught it

It returns to the case of this Dutch trade blade ending up in what appears to be a representation of a Japanese katana or more properly perhaps, wakizashi.

[asomotif]

Welcome Medar.

What a wonderfull sword and what a perfect timing with the other thread about VOC blades.

The blade looks good and genuine to me.
The whole ensemble with fittings and scabbard also looks genuine in my eyes. Problem is that I am a dummy on japanese swords.

Is there someone who can shine a light on the style and age of the japanese hilt and scabbard ???

Best regards,
Willem

[medar1]

Originally Posted by asomotif

Welcome Medar.


Is there someone who can shine a light on the style and age of the japanese hilt and scabbard ???

Best regards,
Willem

That would really help me a lot so yes, please, if anyone has any knowledge of this I would appreciate it greatly.

M

[Ibrahiim al Balooshi]

Please take a look at ~ http://www.nippon.com/en/features/c00105/

Ibrahiim al Balooshi.

[Jim McDougall]

Originally Posted by asomotif

Welcome Medar.

What a wonderfull sword and what a perfect timing with the other thread about VOC blades.

The blade looks good and genuine to me.
The whole ensemble with fittings and scabbard also looks genuine in my eyes. Problem is that I am a dummy on japanese swords.

Is there someone who can shine a light on the style and age of the japanese hilt and scabbard ???

Best regards,
Willem

Willem, it seems we have determined that this old VOC blade has apparently been remounted into Japanese style mounts, but those who have knowledge in true nihonto (traditional Japanese) swords have not ventured further thoughts.
While certainly outside my field, it seems that this old blade may have been placed in gunto (post Samurai) style mounts, quite possibly in the Meiji period (1868-1912).
During this time there was considerable proscription of the traditional Japanese swords, and profound movement toward 'westernization' , adopting European styling and fashion militarily.
Clearly these mounts do not correspond to the well known nihonto style and instead of the 'tsukaito' (silk wrap braid) this grip appears to be some type of covering wire wrapped, more in accord with western officers swords. The scabbard sparsely decorated and sturdy like military types. The tsuba guard still follows Japanese tradition.

I am inclined to believe that this blade was likely a heirloom in this Japanese family, as discussed, and the officer of WWII still had the gunto sword which was probably mounted for an ancestor during the Meiji period. During the Showa period (1926-1989) and prior to WWII, Japanese officers were having many 'shin gunto' swords fashioned using old heirloom blades, and while many followed nihonto tradition in degree, many were simply produced and often with cast metal mounts etc.
I would imagine this officer was permitted the carrying of his family heirloom in its present mounts in respect for his family tradition.

[mross]

The fittings do not look Japanese to me. They look cast.