Kiipu

World War 2 Japanese Sword

It so happens I ran across this very same sword today. It does look like one side has characters on it. Japanese 2ww mounted Katana

盡忠 = Jinchū = Faithfulness Japanese World War 2 sword with combat cover

Late WW2 Japanese Officers Katana

Many thanks for the translation Mal. Morita sensei was the one that located the book in Japan. I never completely translated the text as portions were missing. I found the book's title by doing an Internet search on some of the text. @k morita FYI, one of the swords he polished, serial セ 一二五一, turned up on this forum! WWII Japanese Sword

That is the way the 名 stamp appears on some Nagoya made Type 95s. It is believed that they were stamped after hardening of the blade in oil. I have seen many just like this before. Furthermore, I stand behind Stegel's statement above. When I have a Type 95 hardware question, Stegel, and no one else, is the person that I ask. He has forgotten more than I will ever learn about these swords.

It looks good to me; however, Stegel will need to look at it to confirm the serial range and that the hardware is correct.

Good morning Matthew! It is indeed 1941 based upon the Japanese imperial year. 二六〇一 = 1941.

満州国政府公報 Manchukuo Government Gazette 1935-0213 宮内官職服制式 Imperial Household A good many of the dirks used by Manchukuo are single hangers and backstraps are common on them as well.

Plum blossom and thus Manchukuo. Note that the leaves have no indentation like a cherry blossom.

Guntō Tameshigiri 軍刀試斬 [Military Sword Test Cutting]. Kaigun guntō-jutsu 海軍軍刀術 [Naval Swordsmanship]. Guntō no teire-hō 軍刀の手入れ法 [How to care for a military sword]. Written 著 by Hon’ami Kōson 本阿弥光遜.

Everything you want to know and then some. The Evolution of IJA Canteens (1889-1945) Expanded Version

I read it now and thanks for the link. Usually the Boatswain's Mates (BM) does this sort of thing. Also called marlinspike seamanship back in the day.

Marlinspike or in some cases macramé.

I think so. It was obviously a large operation to still have old blade stock about as the Seki stamp had been dropped by then. This could imply the blades were inspected prior to the mei? The fittings are typical of those used in 1944 on donated blades and maybe this applies to commercial production as well. Seki dropped the metal scabbards and switched to wooden ones. However, some of the military contract Type 100s were still using steel until 1945. The Seki guild list only goes to about September 1944. So our mutual friend Daigō dates to sometime after that?

Definitely a Seki 関 stamp. Another Gifu Prefecture swordsmith update for Mal & Co., Ltd.

The alphanumeric Mantetsu, that is those with an A to V serial number prefix, have the markings in the following positions. There have been no exceptions so far. Obverse (Ura-mei 裏銘): Year & Season. Reverse (Omote-mei 表銘): SMR logo. Starting with the W-series, the Kōa Isshin 興亜一心 slogan takes the place of the SMR logo.

Below is the contents. 目次 近代日本における陸軍の正剣と佩刀概史（明治最初期から元帥刀まで）　1. 軍刀の栞（軍刀外装に於ける実用新案等）　19. 皇紀二千六百年記念　月山貞勝日本刀頒布會　27. 軍人會館酒保部　軍装品案内　昭和１４年５月版　36. 日本刀と陸軍刀　陸軍大将　奈良武次　44. 軍人會館酒保部　軍刀案内　昭和１０年４月版　47. 軍刀の選択（軍刀の長さ、研ぎ方、軍刀外装の研究）　49. 陸海軍将官の愛刀は何か　64. 刀剣の外装を語る（新軍刀の意見、軍刀改良への待望）　71.

I am missing this one from the bibliography. When time permits, can you provide a citation for it at the link below? Bibliography of Japanese Modern Edged Weapons, 1868-1945

That would be a swordsmith located in the Tōkyō area. The best person to ask would be Chris Bowen. Tōkyō 東京　Ikeda Kunitada 池田國忠.

I have the blue hardcover (2nd printing) that I will be listing for sale soon. Asking US$300.

It is a Type 95 Military Sword 九五式軍刀 used by enlisted personal and also available for purchase by officers. Based upon the serial number, it was assembled by a company called Kōbe 合名会社･神戸商店. Looks like a nice, fun fixer-upper to me. Some like a challenge while others do not.

兼則 = Kanenori. 昭和十八年八月 = 1943 August.

Picture resolution is too low to determine if there are any Japanese characters or not. Try posting a larger size image that is in focus.

It is probably USS Andromeda (AKA-15). She was at Okinawa during April 1945. AKA = attack cargo ship.