BANGBANGSAN

In the chapter titled "CHANGE IN THE NUMBER OF SWORDS PRODUCED" in The Yasukuni Swords, it is mentioned: "Nevertheless, Yasukuni smiths engaged in sword forging with maximum effort, always seeking to improve their techniques and produce the highest number of swords possible. They employed a sword forging method called 'makuri-gitae,' which is one of the relatively less time-consuming traditional methods, and it favored a hamon in suguha. This method seemed the most appropriate to the circumstances, and suited the forging of practical swords such as gunto." It also mentions that "each smith produced about ten swords per month around 1935, and succeeded in increasing the monthly output to fifteen swords around 1940. Supplying for the Pacific War, which started on the 8th of December 1941, some of them surprisingly produced twenty swords per month in 1942, the year in which production reached its peak. It is speculated that this output was achieved by teams consisting of a swordsmith, two sakite, and a charcoal cutter, using no electric machines." Given that traditional sword-making is a highly labor-intensive process, it indeed seems almost impossible to complete a blade in just two days without the use of power hammers or other modern machinery. This would require extreme efficiency and coordination from the entire team, pushing the boundaries of what could be done by hand in such a short time. Traditional methods, especially without the help of machines, would usually take longer, which is why the reported productivity is surprising.

He also mentioned that the Tsuru 鹤 Tamahagane was too hard and small carcks werer often seen in the sword.

The new generation of Japanese swordsmith by Tomio Tsuchiko

I read this interview with 大崎靖宗 Osaki Yasumune, and the interviewer is 栗原謙二 Kurihara Kenji, a apprentice of the second-generation 小林康広 Kobayashi Yasuhiro. In the article, some interesting story is mentioned, where 靖宗 Yasumune talks about"In fact,we use oil to soften the blade after water quenching to improve it's flexibility.And this method was invented by Dr.Kuto Haruto 工藤治人(The chariman of Yasuki Steel Mill Company 安來鋼製作所 ）.It was certainly a better method for cooling down the entire blade more evenly than the traditional method."

Thanks for posting this. It looks like there were some engravings on the tang, but they were scratched off? The tassel is very interesting. It looks like it was fieldmade and wrapped around the wrist to prevent slipping, rather than to indicate rank.

It looks like a regular 半鍛鍊 non-traditionally made Showa To. Maybe it was registered during the 平成 (Heisei) era.

The protective dagger is called 守り刀. The name of Emperor 睦仁（Mutsuhito)'s 守り刀 is not known. However, one of the most famous 守り刀 belonged to 源義経(Minamoto no Yoshitsune) and is called 今剣(Imatsurugi).It was made by 三条宗近 (Sanjo Munechika)。

@Bruce Pennington Since the navy sword is called "太刀型軍刀" (Tachi-style military sword), I suppose it should have a tachi mei. http://ohmura-study.net/730.html http://ohmura-study.net/284.html 刀身 一、皇國古来ノ太刀又ハ打刀ノ身若ハ皇國獨特ノ鍛錬法ニ據レル新身ヲ用フルコト、洋鋼打延ノモノノ如キハ適當ナラズ 二、刀身ノ長サハ佩用者ノ身長及修得セル劍術流派ニヨリ定ムベキモノナルモ一尺七寸以上ヲ可トス 三、ハバキハ太刀ハバキトシ金、銀、銅又ハ金銀著セノ何レニテモ差支ナク鑢目等モ随意ノコト

http://ohmura-study.net/006.html 刃物鍛冶の名人・千代鶴是秀は先述したように、スウェーデンのダンネモラ鉱山の鋼を専ら使い、国産の鋼は切れ味が悪くて使わな いと明言していた。 刀匠で後に刃物鍛冶になった長島宗則は「大正頃のヨーロッパの鋼は素晴らしかった」と述懐している。 河合綱商店が和鋼を基に成分規格を提示、スウェーデンのダンネモラ鉱山が産出する地鉄を使って英国のアンドリユー社が成分調整 した鋼を生産した。 千代鶴是秀が先鞭をつけた東郷ハガネの鉋（かんな）は、戦後僅かに残った在庫を使い、現在も鉋の最高級品として販売されている。 The master swordsmith 千代鶴是秀 Chiyozuru Korehide, as previously mentioned, exclusively used steel from the Dannemora mine in Sweden, and clearly stated that he would not use domestic steel due to its poor cutting performance. The swordsmith-turned-blade smith, 長島宗則 Munenori Nagashima, also reminisced, saying, “The European steel around the Taisho era was outstanding.” 河合綱商店 Kawai Tsuuna Shoten established a composition standard based on traditional Japanese steel (Wakou) and produced steel in cooperation with the Andrew Company in the UK, using base iron sourced from the Dannemora mine in Sweden. The 東郷ハガネ "Togo Hagane" planes 鉋( kanna), pioneered by 千代鶴是秀 Chiyozuru Korehide, were made using the limited post-war stock and are still sold today as top-grade planes.

Yes, the fitting looks very clean, despite the blade having a lot of rust.

Or he was sent to China as a battlefield sword repair smith. Some of the smiths returned to Japan, while others died there.

If he died in July 9th 1945 insted of July 7th，then could be during the Gifu（where he work)air aids 昭和20（1945）年7月9日、今日も一日無事で終われると多くの人が思っていた午後11時頃、人々の思いを裏切り、ついに岐阜市にも米軍による空襲が行われた。 　空襲は数時間続き、約130機のB29が参加し、1万発以上の収束焼夷弾と焼夷弾が投下された。 空襲の目標点として、市街地の中心であった徹明通りと金華橋通りの交差する地点が設定されたため、街は瞬く間に火の海となり、多くの建物が焼け、約900人もの市民が犠牲となった。 On July 9, 1945 (Showa 20), around 11 p.m., when many people thought the day would end peacefully, Gifu City was finally subjected to an air raid by the U.S. military, betraying their expectations. The raid lasted for several hours, involving around 130 B-29 bombers, which dropped more than 10,000 incendiary bombs and cluster incendiary bombs. The target of the raid was set at the intersection of Temmei Street and Kinkabashi Street, which was the center of the city. In an instant, the city was engulfed in flames, with many buildings burned down and about 900 citizens losing their lives.

Tokyo?JSW's headquarters is in Tokyo.

It might has star stamp under the habaki

In Wang Bo's poetry, "二難并“ refer to the rarity of having both a virtuous ruler and an esteemed guest gather together. Could it be that on this blade, the meaning of“二難并” suggests it simultaneously possesses both artistic beauty and practical combat functionality?

You got it. It's on Ohmura's website, but the Japanese version has much more information than the English version. English version http://ohmura-study.net/204.html Japanese version http://ohmura-study.net/741.html

There are more than 12 known inscriptions, and based on the variations in these inscriptions, it is assumed that several different swordmaking methods were employed, ranging from fire-forged swords made only with cannon steel to forge-welded swords made with a combination of cannon steel and tamahagane . In July of 1931 (Showa 6), an agreement was made between Japan Steel Works and Suikosha to engrave "Mikasa" and the "company emblem" (the old emblem from the founding period) on the tang of the dirks. However, there exists a letter from Hideaki addressed to the head office in August, expressing his strong objection to mass production, stating, "I absolutely refuse to engage in such quantity production." As a result, Hideaki's signature was not included, and the blades were inscribed with "Manufactured by Steel Works" and forged by his apprentices.

In July of 1931 (Showa 6), an agreement was made between Japan Steel Works and Suikosha to engrave "Mikasa" and the "company emblem" (the old emblem from the founding period) on the tang of the dirks. However, there exists a letter from Hideaki addressed to the head office in August, expressing his strong objection to mass production, stating, "I absolutely refuse to engage in such quantity production." As a result, Hideaki's signature was not included, and the blades were inscribed with "Manufactured by Steel Works" and forged by his apprentices. There are no known molds or examples of dirks engraved with the word "Mikasa" and the "company emblem," nor with the inscription "Manufactured by Steel Works." I think your dirk is one of those with the company emblem.

@PNSSHOGUN @drb 1643 日露戦争で、戦艦「三笠」は帝國連合艦隊の旗艦であった。ロシアのバルチック艦隊を殲滅した「日本海々戦」の前年(明治37年)、「三笠」は「黄海々戦」で後部二連装主砲の一門を破壊された。 この破壊された主砲残鉄を使って刀剣を造る計画が水交社(海軍士官の親睦団体)などで持ち上がっていた。 昭和3年2月17日、「日本海々戦に有名な軍艦「三笠」の殊勲を記念したいと海軍で研究中の處、十二吋(30㎝)副砲※を室蘭にいる刀剣界の権威、瑞泉氏に見せた處「立派な日本刀が出来る」というので短剣・長剣三千口を作ることとなりその見本が水交神社に奉納する一組と安保海軍大将に一振り送付された」と函館新聞は報じた (新聞要約、※ 主砲の誤記。加賀美憲晴様のご指摘で判明) 昭和3年1月～7年5月の間、この砲身残鉄を使用して（株）日本製鋼所室蘭工業所 (現室蘭製作所) 瑞泉鍛刀所の名門刀匠堀井秀明一門 が作刀。 三笠長剣(229本)・甲種三笠短剣 973本 (皇国興廃在此一戦の彫刻)・乙種三笠短剣 451本が造られ、「水交社」を通じて販売された。 他に、特攻隊生みの親、大西滝治郎中将の愛刀「以軍艦三笠砲鋼 秀明作」の日本刀等がある。 銘は12種以上有り、銘から推測して、砲鋼のみ使用の火造り刀から、玉鋼併用の鍛錬刀まで作刀方法は数種類あった。 銘(12 Mei as follow) 三笠・以三笠砲鋼・以三笠砲鋼作之・以軍艦三笠砲鋼・以三笠艦砲身作之・加三笠砲鋼・加三笠砲鋼精鍛・加和鋼以三笠砲材 加軍艦三笠砲鋼精鍛之・秀明・源秀明・室蘭住秀明作 三笠短剣の人気が高く、短剣の製作が一段落した後、水交社は更に追加製作を日本製鋼所に依頼した。 昭和6年7月、日本製鋼所と水交社の間で『短刀の茎に「三笠」と「社章」（創立当時の旧社章）を刻む』ことで合意した。 然し、秀明が「数打ちは甚だ迷惑至極御免被りたし」と 8月に本社に宛てた手紙が存在する。 その為に、秀明の銘は入れず「製鋼所製」と刻んで弟子に打たせる事になったようだ。 この「三笠」の文字と「社章」が刻まれた短刀や「製鋼所製」の銘のある短刀の押し型はない。 Rough translate During the Russo-Japanese War, the battleship Mikasa served as the flagship of the Imperial Combined Fleet. In the previous year (1904, Meiji 37) before the decisive "Battle of Tsushima" in which Russia's Baltic Fleet was annihilated, Mikasa had one of its twin rear main guns destroyed in the "Battle of the Yellow Sea." A plan to use the remaining iron from this destroyed main gun to forge swords was proposed by Suikosha (a naval officers' friendship society) and others. On February 17, 1928 (Showa 3), the Hakodate Newspaper reported, "As the Navy was studying ways to commemorate the distinguished service of the famous battleship Mikasa in the Battle of Tsushima, they showed a 12-inch (30 cm) secondary gun (Note: incorrect, actually a main gun) to the renowned swordsmith Zuisen in Muroran. He stated, 'A fine Japanese sword can be made from this,' and as a result, 3,000 short and long swords were commissioned. A sample set was dedicated to the Suikosha Shrine, and one sword was presented to Admiral Anbo." (Summary of newspaper report; mistake regarding main gun was clarified by Mr. Noriharu Kagami). Between January 1928 (Showa 3) and May 1932 (Showa 7), swords were forged using the remnants of this gun barrel at the Muroran Works of the Japan Steel Works (currently Muroran Manufacturing Works) by the master swordsmith Hori Hideaki and his apprentices from the prestigious Zuisen Swordsmith Studio. A total of 229 long swords (Mikasa long swords), 973 Type A Mikasa dirks (engraved with "The fate of an Empire is decided by this battle"), and 451 Type B Mikasa dirks were made and sold through the Suikosha. In addition, Admiral Onishi Takijiro, known as the father of the Kamikaze forces, owned a famous sword engraved "Made from Mikasa cannon steel by Hideaki." There are more than 12 known inscriptions, and based on the variations in these inscriptions, it is assumed that several different swordmaking methods were employed, ranging from fire-forged swords made only with cannon steel to forge-welded swords made with a combination of cannon steel and tamahagane . The popularity of the Mikasa dirks was high, and after the initial production was completed, Suikosha requested Japan Steel Works to produce additional dirks. In July of 1931 (Showa 6), an agreement was made between Japan Steel Works and Suikosha to engrave "Mikasa" and the "company emblem" (the old emblem from the founding period) on the tang of the dirks. However, there exists a letter from Hideaki addressed to the head office in August, expressing his strong objection to mass production, stating, "I absolutely refuse to engage in such quantity production." As a result, Hideaki's signature was not included, and the blades were inscribed with "Manufactured by Steel Works" and forged by his apprentices. There are no known molds or examples of dirks engraved with the word "Mikasa" and the "company emblem," nor with the inscription "Manufactured by Steel Works."(I think Tom's dirk is one of these) http://ohmura-study.net/204.html

Tom I think In addition to having the phrase 皇國興廃在此一戦 (The fate of an Empire is decided by this battle")engraved on the blade, the 甲種 (Type Ko) Mikasa Dirk typically has the swordsmith's name inscribed on the tang. The 乙種（Type Otsu), like yours, usually only has 三笠砲鋼(Mikasa cannon steel)without the swordsmith's signature. However, the Type Ko is generally more commonly seen, while the Type Otsu is less common. http://ohmura-study.net/741.html

These sword are made in China by battlefild Japanese smith for Japanese troops.

@Bruce Pennington @Kiipu In 成瀨関次(Naruse Sekiji) 's 實戰刀譚(Tale of Practical Combat Swords) It was mentioned that swords were made from old car springs in China, and they became quite popular due to their excellent cutting ability. この刀に首をひねっている頃、それは昨年（十三年）の三月の事で、 　兗州の兵器修理班の鍛工場で、工員（制規上軍刀の吊れない人達）が、 　日に日に危険にさらされてくるので、必要に迫って、 　廃物の古自動車のスプリングを利用して刀を打った。 　もちろん鍛えもせず、焼いて延ばした上一様に焼きを入れ、 　それを適度に戻したもので、 　自分の助手をしてくれていた加古という鍛工軍曹（その当時伍長）が指導した。 　加古軍曹は、愛知県小牧に住む刀匠で、造刀については深い研究を積んでいた。 　　そうした焼きの刀であるから、もちろん刃紋もなく、 　若い人達の手に合うようにというので、ある刀のごときは元身巾が一寸二分、 　重ねが二分二、三厘もある大切っ先の浅反り二尺三寸、 　虎徹の大業物そっくりなものができ、それに木工場で楊柳材の鞘を作り、 　軍刀修理場で外装を引き受けて、とにかく吊れるようにし、 　いつ敵襲があっても心配ないという事になったが、 　その刀が不思議に粘硬で何を切ってもよく切れる。 　ある兵隊が戦場で試したが、骨までズンと斬れたというので、 　にわかに“兗州虎徹”の名が高くなって、 　あちこちから希望者が殺到するという有様であった。 Rough transtale: Around the time I was puzzled by this sword, which was in March of last year (13th year of Shōwa), at the blacksmith workshop of the weapons repair unit in 兗州 Yanzhou, the workers (who, due to regulations, were not allowed to carry gunto) were increasingly exposed to danger day by day. Out of necessity, they forged swords using the springs of discarded old automobiles. Of course, without any proper forging, they simply heated, stretched, and then uniformly tempered the metal before returning it to an appropriate hardness. The process was overseen by a blacksmith sergeant named Kako (a corporal at the time), who had been assisting me. Sergeant Kako was a swordsmith from Komaki, Aichi Prefecture, and had conducted deep research into swordmaking. Because these swords were tempered in this way, they naturally had no blade patterns. However, to suit the hands of younger people, one of the swords had a blade width of approximately 1.2 inches, a thickness of about 0.22 to 0.23 inches, a shallow curvature, and a length of 2 shaku 3 sun (about 70 cm), resembling a large, finely crafted 虎徹 Kotetsu sword. A scabbard made of willow wood was crafted at the woodworking shop, and the sword was fitted with external fittings at the gunto repair shop to make it wearable. This arrangement ensured there was no worry, even in the event of an enemy attack. Strangely, these swords were resilient and hard, and could cut through anything with ease. One soldier tested the sword on the battlefield and found that it cut cleanly through to the bone. This led to the sudden rise in fame of the 兗州虎徹'Yanzhou Kotetsu,' and soon, requests for these swords poured in from all over."

Could this 忠義 (Tadayoshi) be 進藤忠義 (Shindo Tadayoshi)? In the 1942 大東亜戦末期の刀匠と序列(Swordsmiths and Their Rankings at the End of the Greater East Asia War)http://ohmura-study.net/025.html the names 進藤忠義（Shindo Tadayoshi）and 親房(Chikafusa) appeared among the swordsmiths, and they received the 会長賞(Chairman's award) for 研磨の部(Polishing department), indicating that they were likely working together.I also found 進藤忠義（Shindo Tadayoshi）'s name on the PTA list of 湖陵高校（ Koryo High School）in 1951, with his occupation listed as 金物商（metal/hardware business man）. No further information was found.

PM Sent

Maybe he got killed by the air raids.