A-34 Japanese WWII Rt. Gen. Hatazo Adachi's surrendered samurai sword. Army brown cord wrapped white rayskin grip with gilt cherry blossom menuki. Typical gilt-brass floral decorated tsuba. General's portopee (gold dot decorated brown cloth strap with the reverse in orange) with dull gold tassels. Gilt copper habaki. 25 1/2" clean blade with a low waves temper line. Tang is signed "Noshu Ju Kanenobu" (Kane Nobu) and is dated "March 1942". OD metal scabbard with military fittings. A quality sword. (It should be pointed out that Adachi returned to Japan from service in China in 1942 and was promoted to General at that time. Coincidentally, the sword was made in 1942 and probably presented to Adachi on that occasion.) Accompanying provenance includes: (1) Typed testimonial of the son of Australian Major G.C. Darling who acquired the sword from Gen. Adachi at his surrender in New Guinea. (2) Copy photo of officers, including Darling, of the 17th Australian Infantry Brigade. (3) Copies of a period newspaper article naming Maj. Darling as negotiating the Japanese surrender. (4) Adachi's military career - Xeroxed page from "SHOKAN-HIROHITO'S SAMURAI" by Richard Fuller. (5) Two original 4 3/16" x 6" photos of Gen. Adachi's surrender. (6) Large copy photo of Adachi surrendering his sword. A historical WWII sword. I

See description for I-III scale (III=poor)