PNSSHOGUN

Welcome to the forum, Joe. If you have the patience and interest to learn properly about Japanese swords, we hope you can join us in the descent from Mt. Stupid.

Run away.

It's a replica from China. The Habaki looks suspect as well.

Still available for sale or trade.

Kamakura, Awataguchi Yoshimitsu

Interesting sword, is there any further information on how it was acquired during the war?

Considering the complexity and rather broad range of the topic, this is an impressive undertaking and invaluable reference for anyone interested in Naval swords and Gendai Tosho.

Will have to leave the translation to those more adept, the location is a bit special and often used for dedications. Sometimes it can be used for swords with extensive inscriptions and cutting tests where there is literally no more room left to add anything else. One instance was a rather spectacular Utsushi-Mono that noted the original sword in gold inlay. The only one that I can offer a link for is this Gassan Sadakazu, with the presentation added to the Nakago Mune sometime after the sword was made: https://nihontoart.c...l-treasure-sadakazu/

Great channel for those who enjoy old military guns. They profess at the start to know very little, no need to be mean.

Beautiful sword and photos. It's a bit special to also have numerous Kirikomi, is there any known family provenance?

Get better soon, Jacques. These little Kantei exercises are very helpful. There was another member who was bitten by a dog some years ago, is there a pattern forming here.....

Very impressive, even if not Japanese they would be a pleasant novelty to own.

A curious variation with a single pin on the side of the Kabutogane. This hasn't been present on other swords from this particular Koshirae shop.

Hi Brian, can't seem to see it in the article list - only Part 1 shows up.

Given the above, one may need consultation from their nearest Alchemist....!

There are specialty Choji oils made in Japan, such as Okamura Heibei Shoten (made for over 300 years...). You can always add a few drops to Camelia oil for the best of both worlds.

There was one of these un-tempered Onshi in Shirasaya on Yahoo Japan auctions. It's unknown who made these but they appear to be the same Sugata, there is another in the Australian War Memorial that was surrendered by Lt General Imamura:

Completely wrong, mismatched hangers, Wakase patent drag but doesn't have a Wakase Tsuba or hanger. This has been listed for years, along with other make believe special Gunto.

An important note from the article Alex linked: "The blade shown here is by the smith, Katsumitsu. It is dated as being made in 1513, the ninth year of Eisho (永正) ,the middle of the late Muromachi Era. Please note that despite the form of the signature, this blade was made before the start of the production of kazu-uchi mono described above."

Not sure if that's a fair point as papered Showato are very much an exception, not a rule. One gets the impression these are done as favours so a family can legally keep a KIA family members sword, or other circumstances not immediately apparent. Seeing these does really pull into question the Gendai Shinsa teams for NTHK & NBTHK.

The presence of a Nengo is a good sign, Kazuuuchimono don't tend to be dated. Many of the great Sukesada smiths were active in the early 1500's.

This is a very good sword Jason, Hideaki was one of the very best smiths of the Taisho & Showa era's. He forged many special swords for Naval officers and your example is no exception, being one made using steel from the Mikasa gun barrel. The mounts are very good quality, there appears to be a family crest (Mon) on the handle if you could please take a picture of that? The writing on the wood of the handle may refer to this Mon, or if you're rather lucky, the Japanese officers surname. http://ohmura-study.net/912.html Do you have any further information about how your family member acquired it during the war?

Beautiful, thank you for sharing. Do you have any idea who the Kinzogan attribution was done by?

@Kiipu @SteveM is there anything of particular note here?

A interesting document claiming to be a letter of appreciation for a sword donation: https://page.auction.../auction/o1166207607