mecox

Simon, many thanks for very interesting info and background. The pic with tape indicates the nagasa (cutting edge) is about 59 cm. This make it a middle size sword (wakizashi), but I note the collar (habaki) is a bit longer to extend it. I am currently writing up a paper on naval swords for NMB, could I use the photos and info (no family name) as it is very valuable material. and referring to source. Mal .

Jason, there's a good story here for the family. The blade is made in 1929 from steel (reworked) from the Japanese battleship Mikasa damaged is a 1904 sea battle with Russia. War ended in 1905 Japan victorious. There has been good discussion around this as many swords and dirks made in 1928 to 1932 same metal to commemorate. But its likely the blade and tsuba were refitted to the naval mounts as they were not introduced until 1937.

Simon, fantastic item and pictures. Do you have a date for this surrender. Is your dad in the pic? Could you measure the length of the cutting edge of blade. Thanks for posting. Mal

Motte gunkan Mikasa hō hagane　Hideaki 以軍艦三笠砲鋼　秀明. 昭和五年五月二十七日𫝹之 May 27, 1930 this year. The concept was: It reads "nenn kore" which is something like "this memory" "this memorable date". ......which was the 25th anniversary of the Battle of Tsushima in which the battleship Mikasa 三笠, was damaged and the main gun destroyed. The steel from the gun barrel was used to make memorial 250 + long swords and 900+ dirks between 1928 and 1932.....and this was one Hideaki changed his name in 1932 to Toshihide @Kiipu

John , good to have these extra ones. Your 1943 Shigemasa is in shirasaya I guess. We have been tracking the KJT smiths, so far looks to be less formal that RJT and more facility based

Thanks for measurements. Your pics are fine. The suguha is interesting.

Yes Rob, looks like a nice kaigunto from a solid smith and group. Its just in time to go into Part 2 of my Japanese Naval Swords. Could you send me the nagasa and sori in cm? Have you seen this paper on their group? cheers Mal

Thanks for input Trystan.

Colleagues I have updated a new version of Japanese Naval Swords WW2 Swordsmiths & Workshops Part 1. This 2024 paper is an upgrade of the 2021 version, it is reorganised with appreciably more examples but with some significant corrections. Of note is the issue of Naval arsenal stamps and some long held, but incorrect views, in particular in regard to the Toyokawa Arsenal in Aichi (this arsenal did not produce swords). If you have the 2021 version, please delete it and use this one. It was outdated and I hope any errors addressed. Part 2, is likewise being upgraded and will soon be uploaded. I found it all a rather challenging topic. cheers Mal

I guess you saw this one Musashi on JS Index The other has different kanji "yuki" AKIYUKI (昭行), Shōwa (昭和, 1926-1989), Gunma – “Akiyuki” (昭行), real name Kurihara Washio (栗原鷲雄), he worked as a rikugun-jumei-tōshō http://www.japaneses...oshigata/akiyuki.jpg

yes but the lighting distorts it

@RobCarter3 @Bruce Pennington Rob re the Tenshozan anchor stamps the strong indication is that the general Navy acceptance stamp (anchor-in-circle) was used from early on, throughout the war and into the post-war souvenirs. The Tenshozan stamp (anchor with chevrons/bars) had some dated blades which show it was used for a short time only 1938 to 1943 and on blades with "Tenshozan....." mei. So looks concurrent with other stamp for a while.

Murayama Kanetoshi, quite a good wartime smith. Pic from Slough book.

Adam, that is a very nice blade from a good smith. There is info on Torio Hiromasa in NMB Downloads: (1) Showa/Ehime and (2) Fukuoka/Kokura.

Adam, does your sword have any stamps on the nakago mune?