IJASWORDS

Back in 2008, this sword was discussed in the translation section. Brian suggested then that it be posted in the military section for discussion. The inscription reads, (thanks Ray), Empire Cutlery Ltd, Ishitoku Shigeyuki. Ishitoku is an unknown swordsmith, and it appears Empire Cutlery made swords during WW2. The blade has hada, and looks water quenched. Does anyone have any information about this maker?

Hasn't been any action here for a while, so here is one. A 1943 Akihide. Bruce reminded me about canvas combat covers.

Brian, a thousand bucks from a shop fitting supply company, LED lights and holds nearly 50 swords. Air conditioned and alarmed room. Cheap way to appreciate the collection.

Bryce, for a bit of variety, two with no stamp, one Seki, and one Showa.

This guy is either 9 foot tall, or he has a short gunto.

Not a bad example, but seppas all wrong.

The airforce was either a wing of the Army or a Naval wing.

Watching a documentary on the attack on Darwin in 1942. Saw a Zero pilot getting in his cockpit on a carrier. Definitely a full size gunto he is carrying.

Thank you so much Steve, much appreciated.

I am trying to distinguish between these Yasunori mei, Kajiyama and Kotani. Both are Yasukuni-to. To my eyes they are extremely similar, but one can be translated Yasutoku. Help would be appreciated.

No all mine have holes. I suspect the sword holes here are covered by the damaged ito. Top and bottom holes.

It's funny how you set your sights on collecting interesting examples of Showa period swords, and sometimes there occurs a synergy that doesn't at first appear obvious. I set my sights on a WW2 Gendai in gunto mounts with bohi, an example with a dragon horimono, another with kanji horimono, a '98 koshirae with the rare patented extended drag, and a perfect Kai Gunto (thanks Hamfish). The coincidence was, all these examples were made by the 2 million yen, RJT smith, Kanemichi. Two of the five have Showa stamps, and culminate with the obviously special order papered gendai bohi example. All examples are in above average koshirae of the time.

Along the lines of Adam's blade, is a similar one to his. Ok, I am a Gunto guy, but this is a Koto blade in Gunto mounts. The bohi goes about two thirds down the blade, and one side only. It was in leather combat cover (since gone) but has retained the wood kurigata and a leather suspension ring fixture. Due to the fact that the bohi is only on one side, and not the usual full length, I wondered if it was put there by the sword Smith to hide a fault?

Wow David, nice Sadakazu. I add as my contribution, my 1936 Sadakatsu. It ticked many of my boxes, being made by Sadakatsu himself before his son started making and signing swords under the Sadakatsu name, and having the Ayasugi hada, for which he is known. By the way David, is that a Gassan style habaki?

Thanks Uwe.

Is this Seki Ju Ujifusa? Can't quite understand the first symbol.

Monster?

John, it's a post war souvenir sword as Bruce has indicated. Never saw military action.

Great discussion. One of my beefs is when you are looking at buying a gimei, but really well made blade, the seller advises that the inscription can be removed and it will be papered. No names no pack drill. I am sure this has happened, but leaves doubts about the system.

Reading Dave's extracts, Ray Singer kindly translated this Amahide. No date no stamps. Ichimonji Minamoto Amahide Kore O Kitaeru. Or, Amahide forged this. It is similar to but not the same as the 10 inscriptions' in Dave's article.

Thanks Ray, you have put me on the correct path to go further and research.

Thanks again Ray. Read that and the excerpt from the JSS newsletter 1992 Vol 24 No 6, pages 15-20. The article describes 10 known inscriptions, and this one of mine differs slightly from all of them. To my eyes, blade has attributes of being hand forged and Gendai. No stamps, no date, in special silvered gunto mounts. Would this inscription lead you to believe it is traditionally made?

Thanks Ray. Does kore o kitaeru translate to "forged this"?.

Is this Ichimonji Minamoto Amahide Kitau Kore? Help would be appreciated.

Dave, thanks for finding that. Very interesting.