Daito in "combat" coverings

Andrew · 8th December 2008, 06:36 PM

Another from my friend's lot. I'll post up full length photos when he sends them to me.

I handled and examined this one as well. Couldn't remove the tsuka as the mekugi is covered by leather and I didn't want to try unstitching it just yet. The tsuba is clearly not gunto, and the saya is laquered wood covered with leather as well.

Blade is in rough condition and looks like someone was trimming their hedges with it at some point. A few openings in the hada, and some nicks to the edge near the tip. The straight (sugu) hamon is quite visible and pronounced. Some hataraki ("activity") is visible as well.

stekemest · 8th December 2008, 06:38 PM

Hi Andrew,
Please show pictures of the whole sword and, if possible, the tang so we can probably be able to identify it.
Peter

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.

Andrew · 10th December 2008, 04:16 PM

Photos of tang and tsuka after removal of leather cover:

stekemest · 10th December 2008, 04:29 PM

Hi Andrew,
Pictures of the whole sword would be nice.
Peter

Andrew · 10th December 2008, 04:34 PM

I know, Peter. My friend (who owns the sword) seems to like the "macro" setting on his camera.

I've requested shots of the full tsuka and sword.

stekemest · 10th December 2008, 04:37 PM

Sorry, I forgot that you cant take the photos yourself.

The tang seems to be suriage and is quite rusted, but the patina looks rather old.
Peter

stekemest · 3rd February 2009, 04:56 PM

Andrew,
Got new pictures of the sword?

Regards Peter

8th December 2008, 06:36 PM	#1
Andrew Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: USA Posts: 1,725	Daito in "combat" coverings Another from my friend's lot. I'll post up full length photos when he sends them to me. I handled and examined this one as well. Couldn't remove the tsuka as the mekugi is covered by leather and I didn't want to try unstitching it just yet. The tsuba is clearly not gunto, and the saya is laquered wood covered with leather as well. Blade is in rough condition and looks like someone was trimming their hedges with it at some point. A few openings in the hada, and some nicks to the edge near the tip. The straight (sugu) hamon is quite visible and pronounced. Some hataraki ("activity") is visible as well. Attached Images

10th December 2008, 04:16 PM	#9
Andrew Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: USA Posts: 1,725	Photos of tang and tsuka after removal of leather cover: Attached Images

8th December 2008, 06:38 PM	#2
stekemest Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Heidelberg, Germany Posts: 182	Hi Andrew, Please show pictures of the whole sword and, if possible, the tang so we can probably be able to identify it. Peter

8th December 2008, 06:51 PM	#3
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	#4
stekemest Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Heidelberg, Germany Posts: 182	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	#5
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	#6
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	#7
stekemest Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Heidelberg, Germany Posts: 182	Yes, there are not unusual.

9th December 2008, 12:38 PM	#8
asomotif Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 2,221	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.

10th December 2008, 04:29 PM	#10
stekemest Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Heidelberg, Germany Posts: 182	Hi Andrew, Pictures of the whole sword would be nice. Peter

10th December 2008, 04:34 PM	#11
Andrew Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: USA Posts: 1,725	I know, Peter. My friend (who owns the sword) seems to like the "macro" setting on his camera. I've requested shots of the full tsuka and sword.

10th December 2008, 04:37 PM	#12
stekemest Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Heidelberg, Germany Posts: 182	Sorry, I forgot that you cant take the photos yourself. The tang seems to be suriage and is quite rusted, but the patina looks rather old. Peter

3rd February 2009, 04:56 PM	#13
stekemest Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Heidelberg, Germany Posts: 182	Andrew, Got new pictures of the sword? Regards Peter