Nihonto Club

The kanji are "Kawaguchi-something". Which "sen" kanji do you think it is?
To me, the hada is much too obvious - it hints "Chinese fake".
I would NOT say it is "unmistakably ayasugi hada", but rather unmistakably Damascus.
A picture of the boshi, and the habaki and the Hamachi/munemachi area of the blade, would be helpful.

Pete

Sorry Haydn,

It's 99% clear to me that this is not an authentic Japanese sword. It has nothing to do with Gassan or ayasugi unfortunately, but with acid etching. I wouldn't spend much more time speculating about the blade and the fittings because, as with all fake swords, they are random.

Regards,
Stan

Many thanks for the input. I too suspected the acid etching and the probability of damascus but I am surprised to see the Chinese go to these lengths merely to fake a Showa period sword.

I will submit the other photos for completion of the exercise in due course (sword not with me). I only spent $200 on the piece on will most probably sell it on to somebody who wants a 'wall-hanger' at the next show in Melbourne.

Again, many thanks!

Haydn.