Japanese Militaria at Castle-Thunder.com

[redryder]

I have this Wakizashi that my Father brought back in 1946 along with a type 38 long rifle and two type 30 bayonets. Can anyone give me more info on it and even maybe an approximate value?

[gwsiii]

Welcome to the forum, Swords are completely out of my league, I'd guess its civilian, but value wise, no idea. The first questions will probably be overall length, blade length, and if there are any markings under the handle, and if so, close up pictures. Don't clean any rust, or alter it in any way. I sent emails to three knowledgeable collectors. We'll see who replies. That is pretty neat. Trey
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I didn't pay to much for that old Arisaka, I just bought it a little bit too soon!

[redryder]

The actual blade is 21 1/2 inches long. The overall length is approximately 28 inches.The tang is unmarked. The scabard is wood.

[DEFUC]

A pure WAG on my part,until one of the sword guys says "BS!!!" the family design worked into it looks like aoi/"hollyhock" to me,which is usually the Mon for members of the tokugawa family.Its meaning on the sword may/may not be a link to its prior owners..looks like a decent Wak. shame its not signed..do you have any clearer pics of the tang, the ornimentation and the blade,Im sure the guys that know something will want to see them all.As they give clues as to age and quality of a sword.I think the mon on the little guy is also a stylised Tokugawa Mon. but thats also a novice opinion.

[redryder]

Trey,
Here is one response I received in regards to my sword.
There may be no markings but the color of the tang will give me information as to age of the sword. I would say that this sword is probably from the 1600's. As you know it is an unsigned wakizashi (middle length sword). The mountings are pretty average and the condition of the sword is not good. Because the sword blade is so obscured and out of polish it is not possible to tell you much of anything about area or school of manufacture.
As far as value, you are looking at about $750.00-$900.00 mainly due to condition.

I also talked to Ray, the fellow you recommended and he placed the manufacturing date as between 1650 and 1750. He said the value was somewhere around $650+ and he said that the Kozuka and Kogatana blade were worth somewhere around $500.

Les

[gwsiii]

appreciate the update, as I said, I know nothing about them, but from this post, I, and other can learn a little bit. Thanks for the update! Trey
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I didn't pay to much for that old Arisaka, I just bought it a little bit too soon!

[redryder]

DEFUC,
I don't think that the design on my sword is a Tokugawa Mon. That is always shown as a circle with three "hollyhock" leaves in it as shown here.

[DEFUC]

Im not really defending it as Tokugawa, however most aoi decorated items of that period Ive seen, were ascribed to having a leaning towards Them as they used the hollyhock in their Mon..even tho thats not their mon, that pattern is almost exactly the same as Ive seen on Menuki from swords supposedly with family links. To my eye (not always a great source of info) the stamp on the Kogai (? I get them confused) looks to be also a stylised Tokugawa Mon..However I shall return to practicing Mei translations and leave the real answers to those with far more insight than I..

[redryder]

DEFUC,
Would you give the inscription on the Kogatana a try? If you will give me your opinion on it I will post what I received from another forum board.
Thanks,

Les


Also, I am including a little better view of the fuchi-kashira.