[rcmodel]

I bought this WWII Japanese Officers Katana in an antique shop in Garnett Kansas about 25-30 years ago.
My wife & I walked in the door, and it was sticking out of a big Red Wing pickle crock full of dusty old umbrellas, canes, and a petrified dead mouse.

As I found it, the blade was rusted red, the handle was missing the cord wrap (Tsuka), ray skin under the wrap (Sami’), bamboo handle peg (mekugi), and both decorative handle ornaments (Menuki).
But other than that, it was still all there!

And six kids hadn’t been sword fighting the cast-iron well pump, or tried to cut a concrete porch step in two with it!
So the blade edge, though rusty, was still nearly shaving sharp with no nicks or chips after all those years.

It was priced at $25.00, I offered her $20.00, and the nice lady took it!
(Yes, even a blind pig finds an ear of corn in the mud every once in a while!)

The blade is 26 ½” long, and the complete sword is 36 ½” OAL.
The style of the sword scabbard hanger & pommel is WWII military officer.

When I got home, I cleaned and polished the blade by block sanding it with progressively finer grades of black Wet or Dry paper & oil.

http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j219/rcmodel/Knives/Samurai1.jpg

http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j219/rcmodel/Knives/Samurai2.jpg

And I made new fittings, as best I could.
Using oak dowel for the peg, I hand sculpted the brass and copper Menuki, used nylon belt for the Sami’, and black silk cord for the Tsuka.

http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j219/rcmodel/Knives/Samurai3.jpg

Tang marking transitions were done by the Asian language department at K.U..
They are “Showa Period” = 1926 – 1945.
And “Fuji Wara Yoshi Omi Make This”.
Or more simply “Made by Fujiwara Yoshiomi sometime between 1926 and the end of WWII”.

The quality of the blade indicates this wasn’t Fujiwara’s first rodeo as a blade smith.

Still, I’m not 100% sure they knew what they were talking about, as they didn’t seem real enthused about doing it in the first place??
If anyone can read it, I sure would appreciate knowing what it actually does say, for sure.

http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j219/rcmodel/Knives/Samurai4.jpg

http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j219/rcmodel/Knives/Samurai5.jpg


I know I should have it professionally polished, and the handle re-fitted & correctly wrapped.
I also know it would add great value and authenticity to the sword.

But that would turn my $20 katana sword into a $2,020 investment, just to have it expertly polished & the handle rebuilt by a sword expert.

But this WWII officers sword isn’t worth that much to me, or probably anyone else, I think.

rc

[col.lemat]

Cant read it but your work looks good. Get several differnt readings. I have had the same thing happen only to find out one of the three were not completly truthful.

[JShirley]

Looks like you did good work.

[rcmodel]

Thanks!
I guess it was O.K. work, but it sure isn't "right" by a long shot.

I'd like it right, but I'm just not prepared to spend that much money make it right.

rc

[hso]

There are Americans that are talented amateurs that would probably like to take a whack at it. You'd have to look for them though. Check anglefire and Don Fogg's site.

[Il Duca]

The handle is actually the tsuka, the wrap is the ito. I believe Cheness sells complete tsukas for around $30. Basic cotton I think, but the same should be legit and it could likely be fitted to your sword, not sure if they come with menuki though. Decent fitting sets can be had reasonably on ebay for under $100. I just ordered one for $71 with free shipping. Tsuba, menuki, fuchi, fuchi kashira. Comes out of Longquan (Chinese city where a large percentage of sub-$1000 katana are coming from these days). You could also contact the sellers on ebay who are selling the Chinese customs and ask them if they could make you a tsuka based on your sword's dimensions. Can't imagine it would be too expensive since lots of their swords sell in the 3-500 range. And just about any knife maker should be able to clean up the blade. Might cost you a couple hundred all said and done, but would make WORLDS of difference in the sword's appearance.

[rcmodel]

Well, I am somewhat of a knife maker, and I cleaned up the blade & polished it.

Still never going to be polished like a Japanese sword should be, unless somebody sets around for days on end and hand rubs it with finer & finer grade water stones until it is right.

I don't have the patience, or hand strength to do that anymore.

Thanks for the info though.
I might check into the Cheness place.

rc