Unusual Japanese Knife (Short Sword?) and Sword

[gwb123]

While the main features at the Strategic Air Command & Aerospace Museum at Ashland, NE are the aircraft, they also have some ancillary exhibits of interest.  

 

One of the curious items there is identified as a "Japanese knife".  I am not sure what we are looking at here.  I am thinking it might be a short sword that was modified.

 

The exhibit card is only partially correct.  I believe wood has been used for knives in Japan for centuries.  But this is a pretty crude repair to this weapon.  

 

I'd be curious to know if anyone can discern any of the writing on the tag.

 

 

[gwb123]

Currently in the same display case is a sword identified as Japanese that was gifted by our then ally Mao Zedung to Curtis Lemay.  

 

I'd be curious if the canvas casing around the sheath was a standard item. 

 

 

[gwb123]

Another view of the current display case with the inevitable Arisaka rifle found in all exhibits of Japanese military items.

 

This gives a better view of the canvas covered sheath of the sword and the scale of the so called "knife".

 

There is also a "good luck" flag hanging on the wall which I shared in another thread.

 

Please keep the Strategic Air Command and Aerospace Museum in mind if you are driving cross country on I-80.  It is just outside of Omaha and well worth a 2 to 4 hour stop, especially for the Cold War history of our country. 

 

Opinions on these items are welcome.

 

[SARGE]

IMHO, the blade on the short sword has been modified since it has a habaki (collar) where the blade enters the wooden grips.  Hard to tell what the original blade looked like but I very much doubt the grip is Japanese made or original to the blade.  Wooden scabbards were generally common, particularly for storage of un-mounted blades.

 

The longer sword is a Type 8 or Type 19 kyu-gunto Officer sword.  The D guard is broken and missing a piece but I think it is a Type 19.  The addition of a leather or cloth cover on the scabbard is not uncommon.  These covers protected the sword while worn in the field.  

 

I hope this information is helpflul.