IDing Japanese Acquisitions

[MichaelZWilliamson]

These came in with a small pile of other, mostly modern items.

I only know a little, but these strike me as early 20th Century. I'm certainly willing to be wrong.

Blade on the daito is 27"

Tanto blade is 10.5"

All information appreciated.

[MichaelZWilliamson]

Pictures of the Daito

[MichaelZWilliamson]

and the last

[Battara]

I would not write these off as WWII or reproductions just yet. They both look at the latest to me late 19th century or earlier. That being said, they are not in the greatest condition, but not in the worst either. The holes or double holes in the tangs are usually indicative of much older pieces, like mid-19th century or earlier because is it with later remounting that new holes had to be hand drilled for the later fittings.

To be more accurate, lets wait for one of the nihonto guys who know more to chime in.

[MichaelZWilliamson]

I was assuming early 20th, not wartime, and unlikely to be repros.

[Battara]

Must have been editing while you were writing.

Anyway, close ups of the katana tang would be very helpful.

[MichaelZWilliamson]

Yeah, I had to compress them. Here's the best I can get at the moment. I'll try to polarize some tomorrow.

EDIT: there is absolutely no way to upload anything with enough resolution to be useful. I'm linking to my site.

They're also pretty corroded.

[Rich]

Google "Nihonto Message Board". That site will put you in touch with some of the most knowledgeable people from all over the world for Japanese swords.

www.militaria.co.za/nmb/

you will need to register, just like on here.

Rich

[MichaelZWilliamson]

Thanks, Rich.

[Maskell]

Almost impossible to read from those images but I will venture a guess it says "BIZEN NO JU OSAFUNE SADAYOSHI SAKU"

Good luck,
Jerry

[MichaelZWilliamson]

From that board they say:

筑前住源信国吉政 Chikuzen no ju Minamoto Nobukuni Yoshimasa

16th century blade, late 19th century fittings.