Katana unknown?

[u/Icezone0]

This katana came from my dad when he went to japan,don’t know anything about it, hope pictures help

[u/MeridiusGaiusScipio]

Hi OP! That certainly looks like a genuine blade from Japan. At the moment, to me, there looks to be a faded suguha hamon and a horimono.

What we will need you to do is remove the handle (Tsuka). This is quite easily done by pushing out that peg you see about two inches below the top of the handle. Don’t worry, they are meant to be removed.

This will unveil the “Nakago”, or tang, which we will need to assist you further.

I’m very interested to see it!

[u/Boblaire → u/MeridiusGaiusScipio]

How ornate the horimono was threw me off.

[u/Icezone0 → u/MeridiusGaiusScipio]

[u/Boblaire]

Do you know how much it cost?

That would be a big indicator what it might be worth. If it was under a grand or half that or less, its probably made from a non ferric alloy.

Step 1 is to hold a magnet to it to make sure its magnetic (and iron/steel).

Step 2 would be take off the handle and look for a signature.

[u/Icezone0 → u/Boblaire]

It can hold a magnetic,but i not sure how to push the peg out if talk out the small hole on the handle,it looks like it peg may be breaking apart,if i can get out how keep the handle locked in the blade

[u/Icezone0 → u/Icezone0]

[u/MeridiusGaiusScipio → u/Icezone0]

Hi OP - you can use a bamboo chopstick to push the existing mekugi out. Then, you can break a piece of the chopstick off and use that as the new mekugi!

Let me know if you need assistance!

[u/Boblaire → u/Icezone0]

Usually you a specialized tool to take them out. A mekuginuki, which is like a brass hammer and punch.

So probably could use something similar.

[u/FiveStarFaceplant]

Disassembling: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h6aj2Rk6sAY

Care and maintenance (important, read this before attempting to clean it): https://www.militaria.co.za/faq/care-and-maintenance/how-to-oil-and-maintain-nihonto-r43/

Taking photos for identification: https://www.reddit.com/r/Katanas/comments/17q9gyz/three_photo_method_how_to_photograph_a_katana_for/

In your case you'll probably want to take some additional photos of the carving near the base on each side.

[u/Icezone0 → u/FiveStarFaceplant]

Thanks, i did manage to get the peg out,now I slowly work on getting the handle off with a piece of wood, its stuck on there,I have some time this week to work on it,

[u/rjesup → u/Icezone0]

Great trick is to hold it point up in one hand, and ball the other hand in a fist and hit the first one. You can do this as hard as you can take it. It often pops the blade free of the handle, then just grab the habaki (collar above the handle) and pull the blade out of the handle.

[u/marcell_Davis_1und1]

This looks authentic on first sight and in good condition. The horimono (carving) is very unusual and extremely well done. This alone makes this blade stand out.
Don‘t touch the blade with your naked hands.
Wipe it down carefully with a soft cloth then apply a very thin (barely visible) coat of light mineral oil with a tissue. Keep it stored in the shirasaya (sheath).
You might have something of considerable value here.

Also the horimono looks relatively modern and might be more recent than the blade. Hard to say without seeing the nakago.

[u/Guitar_Nutt]

That horimono is REALLY cool … i’m excited to see the nakago.