Daito in "combat" coverings

Andrew · 8th December 2008, 06:51 PM

Hi Peter. I've requested photos of the entire sword, but I'm reluctant to try and remove the handle at this point to look at the tang. I need to look at it again to see how easily that leather cover will come off the tsuka.

Andrew

stekemest · 8th December 2008, 08:32 PM

By the way, the condition seems usual for WW2 pieces. A katana of mine looks the same and it has also been used in WW2.

Andrew · 8th December 2008, 08:38 PM

I agree. When I first looked at it, I thought it might be gunto with a mis-matched tsuba. Looking closer, I think this is nihonto wrapped in leather. Perhaps a family sword wrapped in leather for use during the war?

Is that "layered" habaki unusual?

kisak · 8th December 2008, 09:32 PM

Two-piece habaki aren't too uncommon from what I can recall.

stekemest · 8th December 2008, 09:42 PM

Yes, there are not unusual.

asomotif · 9th December 2008, 12:38 PM

Lovely tsuba with the playing dog and dragonfly.

Maybe you can gently apply some oil on the tsuba to prevent further rust and accentuate the decoration on the tsuba.

Quite possible that this is a family blade carried out to battle.
Is the leather very dry ?
In order to get leather supple again I have heard that you should do this very easy going . do not apply to much grease, as dry leather will absorb as much as it can and than is more likely to crack.

I can imagine that indentifying the tang is important, but the leather cover is also a significant part of its history.

Nice piece of history all together.

8th December 2008, 06:51 PM	#1
Andrew Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: USA Posts: 1,725	Hi Peter. I've requested photos of the entire sword, but I'm reluctant to try and remove the handle at this point to look at the tang. I need to look at it again to see how easily that leather cover will come off the tsuka. Andrew

8th December 2008, 08:32 PM	#2
stekemest Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Heidelberg, Germany Posts: 183	By the way, the condition seems usual for WW2 pieces. A katana of mine looks the same and it has also been used in WW2.

8th December 2008, 08:38 PM	#3
Andrew Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: USA Posts: 1,725	I agree. When I first looked at it, I thought it might be gunto with a mis-matched tsuba. Looking closer, I think this is nihonto wrapped in leather. Perhaps a family sword wrapped in leather for use during the war? Is that "layered" habaki unusual?

8th December 2008, 09:32 PM	#4
kisak Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Stockholm Posts: 182	Two-piece habaki aren't too uncommon from what I can recall.

8th December 2008, 09:42 PM	#5
stekemest Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Heidelberg, Germany Posts: 183	Yes, there are not unusual.

9th December 2008, 12:38 PM	#6
asomotif Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 2,228	Lovely tsuba with the playing dog and dragonfly. Maybe you can gently apply some oil on the tsuba to prevent further rust and accentuate the decoration on the tsuba. Quite possible that this is a family blade carried out to battle. Is the leather very dry ? In order to get leather supple again I have heard that you should do this very easy going . do not apply to much grease, as dry leather will absorb as much as it can and than is more likely to crack. I can imagine that indentifying the tang is important, but the leather cover is also a significant part of its history. Nice piece of history all together.