Bruce Pennington

Posting this as I think there are guys who will appreciate the info. From the Sacramento Newsletter: "Hello members and friends, Happy New Year all, we hope your 2026 has started off well!! Stay healthy and safe this year!!! Leon Kapp has completed the latest chapter update on the Albert Yamanaka Nihonto Newsletter Series Volume 4 Newsletter 06. Here is the link to this update: Link to Article attached below Leon says this issue has a lot about important Shinto smiths and a year of the Tokugawa Jikki with lots of swords being exchanged. Please enjoy the read!! YAMANAKA V4 NL06.docx.pdf

I found this one, Thomas, but it only has the registration/kabuse stamp. I don't see the Shingane iri stamp. So far, I've found 8 Kaneshige with the registration stamp and no Shigane iri stamp. I'm still in the search, but so far I've only found the Shigane iri stamp on Masafusa (4) and that one Kunimichi.

Mark, my apologies for running all over the place on your thread! But thanks for this opportunity! @Kiipu After saying that I also thought this stamp was possibly destroyed, I found one almost as bad. So maybe it's a case of using too much force?

@Kiipu Check out this "Kuni(?)yoshi" on this Wehrmacht-awards thread. It's in grass script and no one was totally sure it is "Kuni". But it's got both stamps, so I'd appreciate your opinion on the mei. Update: SteveM also thought it was "Kunimichi":

Mark, Another Kaneyoshi, same mei, posted here (also has the registration stamp, faintly seen at bottom) Kaigunto mounts.

Well that solves one of my questions!

Yes, that Masafusa has the "Shingane Iri" or Genuine Core Steel stamp on the other side. A bit unusual to see them on opposite side, but I think I've seen it done that way before. I'm starting a file for these to get the variations and smiths using them. I think you are right about someone destroying that stamp.

Man, they made a mess of that stamp, but it's this one, the top one. Not a kokuin at all, but a registration number and statement about using the kobuse method: I haven't made an effort to track how many smiths used the stamp, but there are more than a couple with it. Can't tell you if the Kaneyoshi is who you are speaking of. Though, after checking the 4 of his I have on file, there seem to be a variety of mei - 3 and 5 kanji.

I think you're right, Peter, look at this one. 12 rays, just as the one on the nakago: Can someone translate the smith here:

Looks like "HOホ " to me, upside down

Thanks, Sam! I realize this is at the Vegas Gun Show. Is it too late for photos of the overall blade and fittings for the file? @Kiipu @BANGBANGSAN

Sorry, I know I'm not John, but if there is a back layer it's counted, so 32. Just like the 5 petal sakura on police swords vs the 10 (5 with back layer) on army swords.

Looks like something custom-made for a court official the back strap is field grade or general officer level, or the equivalent civilian ranking.

A photo for those without the book:

Yes, The tsuka looked like it was found without ito/menuki and was wrapped with some sort of other material. Seemed leather-like, but not sure. So, either a field repair of a not-too-bad Bubba job after the war.

Using this thread as a central point for these, now. Just came across another one on a late-war kaigunto - mumei; Navy anchor stamp; matching numbers 799 in paint, on parts, and stamped number on nagako "0 799". Sorry I didn't take more pictures, just was in a rush with a few other swords to photograph.

Excellent, Peter, thanks for the links!

Peter, Do you mean on an internet search, or NMB search? I have two on file. This one, a 1936 Hisakatsu posted by @Volker62 And this 1936 posted by KungFuey:

Linking to one posted by @Rawa

Very cool - 876. I also have a Feb 1942 blade of his stamped 875! Yes, very early in the contingency model production and probably just prior to his acceptance into the RJT program. Good luck with the sale, Leen. Nice blade.

Vedran, The Showa stamp was used by the civilian Seki Cutlery Manufacturers Association on inspected blades between 1935 - 1942. Most dated blades were made in 1940 - 1941. The hamon (temper line) is quite flamboyant! I like it. Care and Cleaning: Japanese Sword Care - Japaneseswordindex.com

Yes, they like to run numbers in the 30,000, 40,000, and 50,000 range however those are also legitimate numbers. So it is just one of many points to consider for legitimacy.

That’s interesting, John! I have never seen mon before with geometric shapes like this. Do you think they are stylized kanji or just geometric shapes?

Kanemune.

Connor, Don't be bothered by the fact that the signature is gimei. It was a well known practice as long as they were making swords. Samurai, as well as Shoguns, have been known to treasure a sword while knowing it was gimei. As for your fittings. This sword could have been brought to the war by it's owner, refitted with the wooden saya (scabbard) for the field. It would have been covered by a leather cover. They are often lost over the years. Many were donated, or bought up by the military in drives to meet demands of the war effort, then refitted in varying degrees and sold to new officers. Yours looks to have kept the civilian tsuka (handle). Cannot tell if the tsuba (hand guard) was kept or a military one put in its place. You can see an example of how it might have looked: They were also refitted fully with military hardware: There are ways to restore your sword and make it look nice, or you can keep it as is. Either way, please read up on how to take care of it: Japanese Sword Care - Japaneseswordindex.com