Hi guys,

During a visit to the Fort Siloso museum, i saw this very interesting sword for display.
The design is very unique compared to several pics of japanese swords that i have seen in the net.

Comments please & do checkout my website below for more pics of the museum

Cheers,
Ibrahim,
Singapore
__________

This is a bone/ivory covered sword usually meant for import (early tourist!) of low quality & not military.

I agree with Jareth - probably made in the late 19th century for sale to the western "rube" tourists.

Hi Ibrahim,Thank you for sharing the photos!I have seen pieces like this before.From my understanding,many items like this were produced in China.I must agree with Jareth and Denny that this piece was most likely made for export.They are very interesting,yet do not fall into the category of Japanese "Samurai"or "Military" Swords.Best wishes for your research project.Geoffrey.

AS THIS WAS LIKELY IN A MUSEUM STOREROOM BEFORE IT WAS EXHIBITED, THERE IS ALWAYS THE POSSIBILITY THAT ORIGINALLY, THERE WAS A JAPANESE WAKIZASHI THAT NOW RESIDES IN ANOTHER PLACE, REPLACED BY THIS MEIJI PERIOD TOURIST PIECE.

It's not a meiji sword. It has the tokugawa crest on the scabbard and guard. If it's from the tokugawa period, it not likely to be for export as Japan had a "closed" border policy. It's probably just a ceremonial piece. No way to know for sure without looking at the tang.

I have yet to see one of this style with a good blade. Export pieces in large quantity.
JMO,
Ron Weinand

quote:

Originally posted by fyrblaed:
It's not a meiji sword. It has the tokugawa crest on the scabbard and guard. If it's from the tokugawa period, it not likely to be for export as Japan had a "closed" border policy. It's probably just a ceremonial piece. No way to know for sure without looking at the tang.

WITH ALL DUE RESPECT, THERE ARE SUSHI RESTUARANTS TODAY BEARING THE TOKUGAWA MON THAT HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH THE EDO PERIOD. AFTER SERIOUSLY COLLECTING JAPANESE SWORDS FOR 28 YEARS, LIVING AND STUDYING SWORDS FOR A PERIOD OF TIME IN JAPAN, SERVING ON THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE JAPANESE SWORD SOCIETY USA FOR 20 YEARS, EIGHT AS IT'S PRESIDENT, I THINK I CAN TELL THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN AN EXPORT CAR SPRING AND A TRUE SAMURAI SWORD.

GO BOB!!! TELL IT LIKE IT IS!
Ron Weinand
Weinand Militaria

quote:

Originally posted by Ronald Weinand:
GO BOB!!! TELL IT LIKE IT IS!
Ron Weinand
Weinand Militaria

THANKS RON. WITH NO INSULT INTENDED, FRANKLY, PEOPLE SHOULD HAVE SOME KNOWLEDGE OF WHAT THEY SPEAK BEFORE OPENING THEIR MOUTHS.

hello fyrblaed.
Welcome to the forum. Looking forward to seeing more of your posts but Bob is right on this one. I've never seen an ivory mounted Japanese blade that I would pay much more than $50 for.

THE FAMOUS CHICAGO HOTEL BARON, POTTER PALMER, HAD FOUR TRUE IVORY MOUNTED SWORDS. THE MOUNTINGS WERE MADE FROM ELEPHANT TUSKS AND THE CARVINGS WERE OF THE HIGHEST QUALITY BY TOP CLASS NETSUKE ARTISANS. I HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO SEE TWO OF THE FOUR. THE TWO I SAW BOTH CONTAINED TRUE SAMURAI BLADES OF UPPER MEDIUM QUALITY. WHEN PALMER DIED, HE LEFT ONE TO EACH OF HIS FOUR FAVORITE SERVANTS. ONE OF THESE SWORDS ENDED UP IN THE COLLECTIONS OF THE FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY IN CHICAGO. IT WAS STOLEN FROM THE COLLECTIONS STORAGE DURING RENOVATIONS IN THE MID 70'S. THE OTHER BELONGED TO PALMER'S CHAUFFEUR, WHO SOLD IT TO A FRIEND OF MINE. IT WAS PASSED DOWN TO HIS SON AFTER MY FRIEND'S DEATH. THESE PIECES WERE EVIDENT THAT THEY WERE MADE TO SELL TO WEALTHY VISITORS TO JAPAN IN THE MEIJI PERIOD. THE QUALITY OF THE CARVINGS WAS NIGHT AND DAY WHEN COMPARED WITH THE CRUDE CARVED BONE MOUNTS SOLD ON THE DOCKS OF YOKOHAMA SIMILAR TO THE ONE THAT STARTED THIS THREAD.