Small sword

Frank Kruse

Frank Kruse

Joined
Jan 21, 2019
Messages
43
I have another small "Tanto"? I don't know much about it, I bought it for $120 and included another full size Katana. The full size katana was said to be WW2, however, the only marking on the blade beneath the handle is a small ships anchor symbol. I wasn't able to find anything out about that one. But the small one is what is interesting to me. I'm not sure if its original or not. Below are some pictures that I took. Any info that anyone can provide for me is greatly appreciated.

Small sword

There is some writing on another sword I bought at a garage sale. I think its chinese writing, if anyone knows anything about this, its greatly appreciated.

sword 2

Kruser
 
This is good. In doing research, the sword I purchased with the small sword is a Japanese Naval "anchor stamped" Officer sword.

Toyokawa Anchor Stamped Tang Kai Gunto Katana.
 
Yup. The katana looks this century to me. The tanto looks interesting. Hang on and wait for the Japanese guys see it.

Cheers
GC
 
Thanks Vorpelsword for showing me your wit, but I wasn't asking what a small sword was, I was asking about the two swords I have in the pictures above. Try to be constructive with your remarks, because you sure aren't funny. Typical... :(
 
The first sword, the smaller of the two is either a large tanto or small wakizashi. Without the length of the nagasa I can't say for certain. I confess this signature had me stumped and still am on the last character. The first part looks to read Suruga Ju Uji ____. I tried looking it up but couldn't find anything which matched with either suruga or Uji. The last character is hard to see in the photo.

I even reached out to a friend who was unsure of the last character as well. ???

The second sword, the katana is a Hanwei, Paul Chen Practical plus. A modern reproduction.
 
Thank you Southern, I will take a better photo of the last character and post it tomorrow, I appreciate the feedback. btw, on the small sword, I'm thinking the handle and sheath are probably not original, would you agree? They both are split in half at the moment, not sure if they were ever glued or just tied.
 
Frank Kruse said:
Thanks Vorpelsword for showing me your wit, but I wasn't asking what a small sword was, I was asking about the two swords I have in the pictures above. Try to be constructive with your remarks, because you sure aren't funny. Typical... :(
Click to expand...


Sorry if I wasn't constructive. I meant to be.

I read the title and the OP but something didn't seem right, from reading historical fiction, Bernard Cornwell (Sharp) and Patrick O'Brian (Aubry-Maclurin) so I looked up the term online and got the Wikipedia explanation.

Not meant to be funny. Not meant to be offensive. Apologies again it was taken either way.

Nomenclature of swords in general can be pretty specific, often arcane. Even more so for Japanese swords. Enough so that I have avoided immersing myself in the minutia.

Hope we're still good here.
 
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Years ago, now, maybe 1995 or so, I attended a Japanese sword show here in Houston. Typical of shows for collectors of watches and cameras, it was held in the ballroom of a hotel. The ambience was similar too, with an undertone of quiet buzz.

To get in, I had to sign a form saying I was over the age of eighteen and agreed not to sue anyone if I cut my fingers off. . . .not so typical, right?

It was interesting. I got to hold a number of seriously sharp swords, some several hundred years old. But eventually, most of the swords began to look alike too me.

I do not now remember the collector's group or association that sponsored the show, but they must be out there. I am sure that there is a serious resource for the OP to access expert information on these swords.
 
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Frank Kruse said:
Thank you Southern, I will take a better photo of the last character and post it tomorrow, I appreciate the feedback. btw, on the small sword, I'm thinking the handle and sheath are probably not original, would you agree? They both are split in half at the moment, not sure if they were ever glued or just tied.
Click to expand...
The handle/sheath is what is known as a "Shirasaya" used for storage. Literally white scabbard (shira = white) (saya = scabbard). Depending on the age of the sword the shirasaya could be original, but it makes little difference as all of those wooden/cloth parts were replaced when needed. This shirasaya probably just came apart due to temperature fluctuations over time. They are put together with rice glue and over time they can dry out, crack and come apart. Good news is they can be redone. Measure the nagasa, straight line from tip to notch on spine (see attached).

terminology_sword1.jpg


Koshirae
Wak_MumeiR_Kosh_FVU-copy.jpg

Shirasaya
DSCF7815.jpg
 
VorpelSword said:
Years ago, now, maybe 1995 or so, I attended a Japanese sword show here in Houston. Typical of shows for collectors of watches and cameras, it was held in the ballroom of a hotel. The ambience was similar too, with an undertone of quiet buzz.

To get in, I had to sign a form saying I was over the age of eighteen and agreed not to sue anyone if I cut my fingers off. . . .not so typical, right?

It was interesting. I got to hold a number of seriously sharp swords, some several hundred years old. But eventually, most of the swords began to look alike too me.

I do not now remember the collector's group or association that sponsored the show, but they must be out there. I am sure that there is a serious resource for the OP to access expert information on these swords.
Click to expand...
That was the Houston Token Kai. They held shows in Houston, Dallas, and San Antonio. Defunct now as many of the members are deceased. A few members left scattered throughout Texas, but no one has the desire to rekindle the group. We last met with Dr. Ford 3-4 times a year until his passing in 2014.
 
VorpelSword said:
It was interesting. I got to hold a number of seriously sharp swords, some several hundred years old. But eventually, most of the swords began to look alike too me.
Click to expand...

It's the opposite for me. The more I look at them, the more different they seem, as more little details become apparent.
 
And that is what makes the world go round. There is something for everybody if we just look for it. While I have always had an interest in guns and knives, it has been vintage and antique cameras (and using them) that I have put myself seriously into.

Cheers to all.
 
SouthernComfort said:
The handle/sheath is what is known as a "Shirasaya" used for storage. Literally white scabbard (shira = white) (saya = scabbard). Depending on the age of the sword the shirasaya could be original, but it makes little difference as all of those wooden/cloth parts were replaced when needed. This shirasaya probably just came apart due to temperature fluctuations over time. They are put together with rice glue and over time they can dry out, crack and come apart. Good news is they can be redone. Measure the nagasa, straight line from tip to notch on spine (see attached).

View attachment 1735015


Koshirae
View attachment 1735018

Shirasaya
View attachment 1735019
Click to expand...



The measurement is 14 15/16
 
The Kanji on the larger sword starts 中國大連　China Dalian. After that is 陳潮波 which is a Chinese name I think read Chen Chao Bo. A Chinese repro.
 
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