WW2 Japanese Naval sword, Australia

[Luke R]

I think Bruce is quite noble trying to return the sword to the family of the Japanese officer.
Just think if the shoe was on the other foot and someone came out of the wood work trying to return to you your fathers,grandfathers,uncles,brothers item.

Good job!

[David Dunlop]

Bruce.

You may have set quite a task for yourself. If the sword is of Imperial Japanese Navy issue, the odds are it will be identical to hundreds of such swords issued.

On the other hand, if it is a family sword, and it is old enough, there may be a family crest/symbol on the guard, or hilt, that could ID original owners. Might be worth checking the web first to see if there are any Japanese sword specialists about you could email photos to, in order to find out for certain what you actually have in your possession.

It could be a long shot, but you might also want to look at the sword's point of last possession by the Japanese Navy in Kuching, Borneo. Perhaps Australian Military Archives somewhere hold a list of Japanese Naval Officers who surrendered there to the Australian unit in question. That could narrow down the number of possible owners for you significantly, if the information can be found.

Keep us posted.

David

[motto (RIP)]

The handle should be secured with a dowel that can be pushed or tapped out and then the handle removed to reveal the markings stamped on the tang.
No doubt there will be information somewhere on the interweb that explains what is what or perhaps a reference book is available that your local library can access.
These swords were the souvenir of choice and brought back by the hundred. I recall seeing a photo of a large pile of them at a surrender point, on Borneo I think.
I suspect the chances of it being a traceable family heirloom would be fairly slender but definitely a possibility.

David