THIS IS ONE OF MY FAVORITE SWORDS, I THINK ITS A WOMAN SAMURAI BECAUSE OF THE HAND GUARD, THERE IS A BROOM, GIFTS, OIL LAMP, COOKING POTS AND WRAPPED PRESENTS. THE TEMPER LINE IS BEAUTIFUL, VERY HILLY. THE BLADE IS NOT SIGNED BUT HAS THREE HOLES FROM DIFFERENT TIMES.
WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT THE CONCEPT THAT ITS A WOMANS, I KNOW THEIR WERE WOMEN SAMURAI.

FIRST PHOTO

WOMEN OF SAMURAI ANCESTORY WERE TRAINED IN THE USE OF THE NAGINATA, A POLE ARM WITH A CURVED BLADE IN THE 12-16 INCH RANGE. NAGINATA WERE ALSO USED BY MEN IN LONGER LENGTHS. WOMEN ALSO CARRIED AFTER MARRIAGE A SMALL TANTO KNOWN AS A KAI-KEN. KATANA WERE ONLY WORN BY MALES IN THE EDO PERIOD. IF YOU POST SOME IMAGES OF THE FITTINGS, A POSSIBLE FURTHER INTERPRETATION CAN BE PROVIDED.

second photo

third photo

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5th

6th

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sword

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last

I hope the additional photo's help.
g24t.
One of the items looks like a carp with scales.

THE MAIN MOTIF ON THE HANDLE ARE KOMI INU OR LION DOGS FOUND AS GUARDIANS AT SHRINES IN JAPAN.
THE TSUBA INLAYS ARE DIFFICULT TO SEE BUT ONE APPEARS TO BE AN INCENSE BURNER. I WOULD NOT TAKE ANY INFERENCE FROM THE FITTINGS THAT THEY HAD ANYTHING TO DO WITH A FEMALE SAMURAI.

Thanks for the reply, I like my swords and this one is my favorite because of the detail on the hand guard.
g24t

Bob did you use to work at Nasa and moved to Colorado?

Very very nice sword thanks for posting it.

quote:

Originally posted by G24t:
Bob did you use to work at Nasa and moved to Colorado?

I HAVE TO SAY THAT THIS IS THE FIRST TIME SOME ONE THOUGHT I MIGHT BE A ROCKET SCIENTIST. NO, I CAME FROM THE CHICAGO AREA. I WAS A DIRECTOR OF THE JSSUS FOR TWENTY YEARS AND IT'S PRESIDENT FOR EIGHT YEARS.

sorry, my mistake,

g24t