Bruce Pennington

Oh, I see what you mean! Thanks for the added photo.

Yes, several things together can point to war fittings. Can’t see the kabutogane very well in your first photo. But if it’s plain, I certainly would agree with you. With the earlier date of the blade, then, it might have spent most of the war in a civilian home and later donated to the war. Or it might simply have just been re-fitted at some point due to damage.

I've never seen a nakago with that type of finish. Does anyone think the mei is legit? I don't see a "Kane" there, but I'm not great at mei reading.

That's a really good question, George, and one I don't know the answer to. Maybe John - @PNSSHOGUN - knows.

Here's a unique haikan, posted by @Marcel HERE.

Curious why you think the fittings are late war? I have 26 of his blades on file, and 4 of them were in civil fittings refitted for the war. It doesn't get talked about very often, but there were plenty of swords made during the war that were sold and fitted in the civilian market. Then, they found their way into the war effort and had the military refit, in varying degrees. I admit that haikan is really crude. Is that what seems late war?

And that is a Tenzoshan souvenir on the table. Can you get photos?

It’s like coming across a garage 1953 Corvette. From a mechanical and engineering perspective they were crap. But it’s the first of the series. Everyone wants the first of any series. I have mine!

@PNSSHOGUN, John will step in and help with the 94 vs 98 question. From what I can see, with the offset chuso (latch button) and thinner tsuba, I'd guess this was made as a Type 98. The 94s had a thicker tsuba (handguard) and centered chuso. The second haikan (belt hanger) was removable and many were discarded by the owners, or lost over time by collectors, so that by itself isn't a great determiner, unless of course it is still present!

Just saw these on a screensaver. They are dragon blood trees, but they are found in Yemen. Wonder if Japan has anything similar?

Any idea what the images are? Dragons? Clouds?

That's great, Leonidas! Following!

Shame there's no date on the other side. But 3/4 of the blades with the Showa stamp are undated. Thanks Dee! Lance, this is a WWII Japanese officer sword, either a Type 94 or 98. Fittings shot might help tell the difference. If in Type 94 fittings, the blade could have been made between 1935 and 1938, as that is when this model came out. Most blades with the stamp, that have dates, were made in 1940-41.

Ah, just the lighting then.

Sam, Here's a really early aluminum handle 95. Found by @Bob in Ohio. Don't know if he got more shots or not:

And if the 70% rule of thumb still applied in that year, then there were 344 smiths working in the whole country. Great find, Thomas!

Wow!!!!

Terrific! Please let us know if and when you find out anything.

Interesting reading on Suya Shoten: Untold Story of Suya Shoten - Nick Komiya, Warrelics Here's how to measure your blade:

Couldn't find that term at Warrelics either. What I did find was his discussion on late war weapons specs getting loosened up. Found here: Daiyou seishiki weapon specs - Nick Komiya, Warrelics "Thus what started out as Rinjiseishiki 臨時制式 or Daiyo-hin 代用品 in 1938, then progressing into Clause 2 二號品 items in 1941, and finally into Daiyo-Seishiki 代用制式 in 1943, is just a linear progression of the same disease, merely with different names, according to stages of pain to the economy."

Good one, Johnny! Hey, is that a chromed zohieto or muratato?

And this statement was discussed with Nick Komiya. He said it didn't make sense, as this office had nothing to do with swords or weapons and he found no documentation so support the claim. Ohmura admitted that much of his write-up was based upon heresay, which explains some of the 'facts' as being off-timing and sometimes just not correct.

Ohmura's page discussing the use of the large Seki and Showa stamps is a bit jumbled, Part of his discussion claims the Seki stamp was first, yet farther down the page he cites, from a memoir, that the Showa stamp was used first (which is in line with observed blades with dates). http://Military Showato of Seki - Ohmura "桜に「昭」刻印 　従来、名古屋陸軍造兵廠関分工場長・尾藤敬逸技術少佐の回想記「日本刀」、 　及び「関史」資料により、「関」と「桜に昭」検査刻印の切り替え時期を 　昭和17年末頃と推定していたが、昭和14年期の「桜に昭」検査刻刻印を持つ 　刀身の出現に依り、再調査を行った。 　「関伝日本刀鍛錬技術保存会」井戸誠嗣会長のご協力により、昭和15年、 　当時の関町が発行した「刀都関」誌に、『 関刃物工業組合の厳重な検査に合格 　した刀身に「桜花に昭字」の刻印が打たれ、実用刀として天下無敵の好評を博 　している 』との記述が発見された。 　これにより、昭和14年には、新たな検査刻印が使用されていた可能性が高くな 　った。 　当事者の「関刃物工業組合」の資料は未だに発見されていない。 　刻印を変えた理由、その正式な切り替え時期は未だに不明である。 　銘: 関住兼則作　「桜に昭」の刻印 　裏銘: 昭和十二二(四)年十月日 (刀身写真提供元/美術刀剣「刀心」・町井勲 様) Google translate (which isn't the best): "Engraved "Sho" on the cherry blossoms Traditionally, the memoirs of Major Keiichi Oto, director of the Nagoya Army Arsenal Sekibranch Factory, "Japan sword", And by the "Seki History" material, the switching time of the "Seki" and "Sakura nisho" inspection engraving It was estimated to be around the end of Showa 17, but it has an inscription of the "Sakura ni Sho" inspection in Showa 14 According to the appearance of the blade, a re-investigation was conducted. With the cooperation of Seiji Ido, chairman of the "Kanden Japan Swordsmithing Technology Preservation Society", in Showa 15, In the "Totoseki" magazine published by Seki Town at that time, "Passed the strict inspection of the Seki Blade Industry Association The blade was stamped with "Shoji to Sakura Flower", and it was well received as a practical sword that was invincible in the world. It was discovered. As a result, it is highly likely that a new inspection stamp was used in Showa 14 did. The materials of the "Seki Blade Industry Association" of the party have not yet been found. The reason for the change in engraving and the official timing of the switch are still unknown. Inscription: Kanenori Sekizumi "Cherry Blossom to Sho" engraving Inscription: October 12, Showa 12 (4) (Blade photo provided by / Art sword "Toshin", Isao Machii)"

Leonidas, I am, as time allows, locating the sources for my summary of the Cutlery assoc. stamping history. Here is one. On page 2 you will find Nick's translation of the Seki City website. It is a 6 page discussion, but full of history on sword production, use of tamahagane, and stamping practice. RJT Star stamped blades - Any Documentation?

My dad got our sword when he was in the Marines after Korea. It was missing several parts. He said guys would steal parts and pieces because they thought they were real gold, or had jewels. @SteveM or @Kiipu - could we get a translation on the nakago? Marcel, The fittings look like the original officer paid for upgrades. It was likely quite nice, originally.