Japanese sword cane from estate.

[TreasureHunter]

Picked this up this week at a retired US navy Commanders estate along with some hats, uniform and WW1 Victory trench art lamp. Sword appears to possibly be 1600's or a souvenir. Research is in progress.

 

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[USCapturephotos]

Looks very interesting and sounds like a great group. Good luck with the research.

Paul

[bheskett]

I had one a while back with just the handle that looked like yours. I was told it was a storage sheath. They would put there blades in these sheaths too keep them from harm while they wore a lesser blade for combat.

 

Nice find

Bob

[doyler]

Nice short sword.It is in a storage scabbard.Often this was done when the blade wasnt in mounts(handle,tsuba,etc.).

With Japanese swords doing less oink s better.Do not do a over cleaning on it.If in decent polish just keep it as is.wipe off finger prints or handle with gloves.If you choose to remove the handle do not clean it.There will be rust there.The darker the better.This is an age indicator.Red to orange can indicate a newer blade(WW2 or earlier).Dark brown to black can indicate something several hundred years old.Again dont clean off the handle rust.

 

I have a similar one and the style of my blade possibly takes it to the 1640s.

[TreasureHunter]

The tang is black and marked on both sides. Have a sword guy looking at it this week. Its a bit rough on the wood but the blade was nicely oiled and in good shape. Im excited about it.

 

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[Bob Hudson]

Is that a tanto?

[crotalus358]

Looks to be a wakizashi or short sword in shirasaya (storage mounts). As Doyle said, do not try to do anything to the blade yourself; otherwise, you'll ruin the value. The best thing you can do to preserve the blade is to buy and follow the instructions that come w the Japanese sword maintenance kits - like $10 on Amazon. If the corrosion on the tang is black as you say, it is at least 300 years old. Good luck w the research!

 

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[katieony]

Very nice acquisition...congratulations.

 

Mike

[TreasureHunter]

I knew nothing of swords, sent a Japanese collector friend a pic and he said buy or buy it for him. In the past 48 hours I have learned so much about these swords. Should have a date and maker by the end of the week. The learning part is just as fun as the finding part. Thanks for all the info & comments.

[Bob Hudson]

I knew nothing of swords, sent a Japanese collector friend a pic and he said buy or buy it for him. In the past 48 hours I have learned so much about these swords. Should have a date and maker by the end of the week. The learning part is just as fun as the finding part. Thanks for all the info & comments.

 

Japanese swords had to be THE most sought-after war trophy in the Pacific Theater. I read once that there were more Japanese military swords in the US than in Japan. If you have a WWII Pacific War display, a Japanese sword and a hinomaru (meatball flag) are iconic pieces that instantly tell even non-collectors which war and theater the display represents.

[TreasureHunter]

 

Japanese swords had to be THE most sought-after war trophy in the Pacific Theater. I read once that there were more Japanese military swords in the US than in Japan. If you have a WWII Pacific War display, a Japanese sword and a hinomaru (meatball flag) are iconic pieces that instantly tell even non-collectors which war and theater the display represents.

 

 

Makes me think this would look good on display with my meatball w/signatures and going away banner, decisions, decision...Thanks Bob