Bruce Pennington

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.

Hi Leonidas! I'm a little late to the discussion. You can read about the use of the Showa and large Seki stamps by the Seki Cutlery Manufacturers Association in the beginning pages of my http://Stamps of the Japanese Sword article. I don't have the direct links to the only two pieces of actual documentation that we have, but when time is available, I'll try to provide them for you. One comes from the Seki City website, which states that the association was inspecting and stamping "all swords" made in the area, but doesn't state which stamp was used. The "all swords" makes it sound as if both showato and gendaito blades were stamped. However, Ohmura has a page depicting a tally of inspected blades by the association, and a side note to the chart states that the total does not include gendaito as "they were not inspected." So, I suspect the statement in the Seki City website is a generalization and not precise. We also have an article from 1940, found by Nick Komiya at Warrelics, that clearly states the stamp being used by the Cutlery association was the Showa stamp. Observational evidence in my ongoing stamp survey confirms the Showa stamp was the first to be used, starting in 1935. Ohmura's statement about the Seki stamp is partially true, in that the association, for an unknown reason, changed over from the Showa stamp to the Seki stamp starting in 1940. There was an overlap - Showa stamp use: 1935-1942; Seki stamp use: 1940-1945. The association drastically tapered off the Seki stamp in '43 after the Nagoya arsenal started using the small Seki stamp. Lots of information, but I appreciate your inclination to dig deep and research things. It's is what I enjoy doing, as well.

I hate it when auction houses don't post photos of the nakago.

Hi Jeff! Marcin gave you a great link, the Ohmura site, for getting to know WWII Japanese swords. As the other guys already pointed out, we could use some clear close up shots of some things to help you get to know your sword a bit better. Here's a great video showing How to Remove the Handled/Tsuka of Japanese Sword Here's a good page to start learning some of the Japanese sword lingo: Japanese Sword Visual Glossary Taking care of your sword: Japanese Sword Care First big step is removing the tsuka (handle) and seeing if your blade is signed and dated. Next is getting a few close, clear shots of the blade's hamon (temper line/pattern), and one shot showing the area around the belt hanger loop (haikan). The Type 94 had 2 haikan, but the second one was removable and is often gone by the time we see them. If it was the 94 version, there might be marks on the saya (scabbard) showing where it sat originally. Otherwise, you have a Type 98. [Mods - I was going to recommend moving this to Military forum, but I guess we might wait to see if the blade is an older nihonto] Oh, and the reason for the comments about "Samurai" are that these fittings were WWII Army, whereas Samurai swords were 'civilian' swords carried by Samurai long before WWII. Now, honestly, though, the Military blades were specifically designed based off the Samurai sword. So, a more technically correct way to refer to them is "Samurai styled sword." Now, it is still quite possible your sword holds a much older blade from the days of the Samurai. So, let's get a look at that nakago (tang)!

Ah, yes, thanks Mike & Thomas! The I RO HA numbering system has been seen in other industries and manufacturing systems, but that particular one tied to the SMR Mantetsu blade operation is specific to their work. Other shops using it would have had completely different cycles as they moved through the katakana. It's like Westerners using "A,B,C's" in a numbering system. A 1-100, B 1-100, C 1-100 for bicycles; whereas a hammer shop might have A 1-2,000; B 1-2,000; C 1-2,000; etc. Hope that makes sense.

Mike, What is this a photo of? Which part? Also, could you let us know where you found that katakana represented 1944? Here's a couple tips on resizing photos: Here is a search for free online photo resizing: Free online image resizer

The angled blade tip, almost squarish is a sure sign of Chinese work.

A boar's eye habaki worth posting. On a sword for sale by @matthewbrice, posted HERE. It's larger that most I've seen, and I like the coloration design:

Morgan, The restoration question really depends on your feelings. As a family heirloom, you may wish to bring it up to it's full beauty. I did this with my dad's Mantetsu and I'm glad I did. Waki vary quite a bit in market value. I don't follow waki prices, so hopefully one of the other guys can give you an idea. But the cost of a polish may exceed the market value of your blade, but it's a quality/personal preference that should really drive your decision.

Looks like a partially struck Showa stamp on the upper edge.

Very nice. Actual Type 97 kaigunto in leather saya cover. Technically, there was no "Naval Landing Sword." It is a term thrown around by collectors. There was an actual Naval Landing Force, but I have no knowledge that they had directives on what style sword to carry. Austin Adachi's book "RIKUSENTAI; The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Japanese Naval Landing Forces 1927-1945" has some shots of them with swords. Admittedly, all of the 97s have the leather cover, however, there are other shots of them carrying kyugunto. Austin may be able to address the issue.

After pinning the Type 95 Worksheet thread, it's had over 1200 views. So, you don't mind, I'm pinning John's thread in hopes more folks will see it and add to John's study.

That is elaborate and unique, Matt! Wonder what kind of trees or plants those are.

Brian, It's been so long since I first created an NMB account. Is there a way, when a 1st-timer logs in to create the screen name, etc, that a page has to be read that explains membership options and a brief line on how important it is in maintaining NMB operations?

Thanks, Steve! Once again I'm stumped because Japaneseswordindex.com doesn't have the teru 照 in the list. Jean, I agree, I couldn't find a Hideachi anywhere. Teru it is!

Excellent! Thanks, Steve. And after looking him up, I realized this is Kinmichi, not Kane.

Sam, Six to eight 95s on this Proxibid collection of auctions. Enjoy!

Ana punched right into the first date kanji. What's your opinion? Also, this is the first Kanemichi with the Kane using 金. Additionally, it is the only kiku on record with nothing in the center.

Heck, yeah! Thanks Dale!

Here's the only shots I saved, John:

Faint picture, sorry, but anybody see who this one is?

Found this souvenir on this Rock Island Auction. It's a Kanenao blade, no date, no black painted number. I have 7 Kanenao souvenirs, now, and only one had a painted number (61, posted by @Eds). They are all Takayama-to, but this one actually has a polisher's name:

Gorgeous blade, Marcin.

We've seen mon on fuchi already, but I had to add this one. A kikusui on a Type 98: