Kiipu

I think there could be more to the story. The real name of 重次 Shigetsugu is 若林･猪之吉 Wakabayashi Inokichi. This is coming from several sources, of which the primary source seems to be http://aizu.sub.jp/kaji/2kaji_pro.html [軍刀組合始末]. However, I am uncertain what the reading of the second character is on the Mantetsu sword pictured in the OP. I have seen it translated three different ways so far, either as 重房 Shigefusa, 重高 Shigetaka, or 重次 Shigetsugu.

文久四年 = 1864.

Wow! Thanks for sharing. 文久元年二月日 = A Day in February 1861.

Dutch Roestvrij veiligheidszwaard. De Japansche minister van Oorlog, luitenant-generaal Itagaki, is in gezelschap van eenige hooge officieren getuige geweest van proeven met een nieuw roestvrij Japansch zwaard, waarmee geen onbedoelde ongelukken gemaakt kunnen worden. De smid, die het vervaardigd heeft, is tien jaar geleden met zijn arbeid begonnen en heeft er gestaag aan doorgewerkt. Naar verluidt, is het nieuwe zwaard ook onbreekbaar. De Noord-Ooster 1939-01-21. English Translation Stainless Safety Sword. The Japanese Minister of War, Lieutenant-General Itagaki, accompanied by several high-ranking officers, has witnessed trials of a new stainless steel Japanese sword, with which no unintended accidents can be caused. The blacksmith who made it started his work ten years ago and has worked steadily on it. Reportedly, the new sword is also unbreakable. The North-Eastern 1939-01-21. The English translations were done using Google Translate. Google Translate

Dutch Roestvrij veiligheids zwaard. TOKIO, 18 Jan. — De minister van Oorlog, luitenant-generaal Itagaki, is vanmiddag in gezelschap van eenige hooge officieren getuige geweest van proeven met een nieuw roestvrij Japansch zwaard, waarmee geen onbedoelde ongelukken gemaakt kunnen worden. De smid, die het vervaardigd heeft, is tien jaar geleden met zijn arbeid begonnen en heeft er gestaag aan doorgewerkt. Naar verluidt, is het nieuwe zwaard ook onbreekbaar. — (Domei). De Telegraaf 1939-01-19. English Translation Stainless Safety Sword. TOKYO, Jan 18. — The Secretary of War, Lieutenant-General Itagaki, witnessed this afternoon, accompanied by some high-ranking officers, tests of a new stainless Japanese sword with which no unintentional mishaps may be caused. The blacksmith who made it started his work ten years ago and has worked steadily on it. Reportedly, the new sword is also unbreakable. — (Domei). The Telegraph 1939-01-19. Attention @mecox

Mid 16th Century Use of clan names & honorary titles arose. The clan name will come before the swordsmith's name. 藤原 Fujiwara. 源 Minamoto. 橘 Tachibana. 平 Taira. 紀 Ki. 菅原 Sugawara. A good starting point to learn more about the various clans can be found at the link below. Japanese clans

Early Period Swordsmith's two character name followed by the character(s). 作 = 0167 SAKU = work, a production. tsuku(ru) = make, create, manufacture. 造 = 6061 tsuku(ru) = make, create, manufacture, build, fabricate. 鍛 = 6318 kita(eru) = forge, temper. 謹 = 5688 KIN tsutsushi(nde) = respectfully, reverently, humbly. 之 = 0048 kore = this. Often SAKU & kore or tsuku(ru) & kore. The character numbers are coming from The New Nelson Japanese-English Character Dictionary by Andrew N. Nelson and John H. Haig. The "on" 音 or Sino-Japanese readings are in CAPITAL LETTERS while the "kun" 訓 or native Japanese readings are in italics. The concept and format is coming from pages 13 to 21 of Frederick A. Fimio's 2002 book, Swords and Swordsmiths of the Gendai Period, 1868–1989. I have always liked the way he presented this information and imitation is the highest form of flattery!

If the sword came with a scabbard, can you post a picture of the scabbard mouth, that is the section where the blade is inserted. There should be some numbers stamped in this location.

The column on the right looks like 昭和十七年. 昭和十七年 = 1942.

Bruce & Trystan, when time permits, take a look at this 2008 thread. Maybe @k morita will swing by and take a second look, and let us know what is going on. almost there The sword dated as 端午日 can be seen below. 商品 No. KA-0392

Cross-References Start at the link below and read the next 10 posts or so. Attention Mantetsu Owners: A Survey This is the Chinese article quoted by Trystan on several occasions. 日本军国扩张罪证：“满铁”军刀 And finally, a Japanese language book entitled 軍刀組合始末: 陸軍受命刀匠の周辺 also discusses swordsmith Shigetsugu. Rikugun Jumei Tosho (RJT) Star Stamped Blades - Documentation?, Post #45 The End!

With the help of @wiktor69, the owner was contacted and he still owns the sword. Videos were provided of the top edge of the tang (nakago mune) and there are no visible markings to be seen. With the translation assistance of @SteveM and @BANGBANGSAN, the following summary can be provided of the nakago markings. Nakago mune: No markings. Obverse: 昭和己卯年 = Shōwa Tsuchinoto-U-nen = 1939. Reverse: 興亜一心　満鉄若林重次作之 = Kōa Isshin　Mantetsu Wakabayashi Shigetsugu saku kore.

The single kanji character 梶 could simply be the surname Kaji. 梶 = Kaji.

I know of several swords of this style that came from the Netherlands East-Indies that are in Australian, Indonesian, and Dutch collections. It must have been a popular style to imitate during the war years. There are plenty of accounts of Indonesians carrying Japanese style swords after the war. These young officers were trained by the Japanese Army and the sword carried the same meaning to them. It was a badge of rank and authority. Below is a link to just one of the swords I have recorded. This one is coming via Indonesia. My Katana Sword From Pembela Tanah Air/PETA army veteran WW2 in details

The older swords are hit or miss in regards to company logos. If they do have one, it is usually located at the front of the brass crossguard. See link below for an example. I do not have access to my reference books at the moment so I can not comment further on the sword. Arsenal Stamps., Page #11 The picture is dated 大正十五年十二月二十一日 = 1926-12-21.

I had not thought about that and it is an interesting observation. I think @Stegel would like to mule it over as well.

Wow, the sword cleaned up nicely! As indicated by Trystan above, it is a factory inspection mark used by civilian companies working on army contracts. The appearance of this inspection mark indicates the scabbard was made by a civilian company and not an army arsenal. Arsenal Stamps., Page #14

Search JACAR for 長剣 and you will find plenty of Taiwan & naval references to this. 短剣 = for the navy, translate this as dirk. @BANGBANGSAN To search JACAR, convert the older characters to the new versions using this link. The character 劍 becomes 剣. Old Japanese Kanji to New Japanese Kanji Converter

Trystan, while looking at the Wikipedia page on Izumo-taisha, I spotted a picture with a similar logo off to the left. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Izumo-taisha#/media/File:Izumooyashiro03.JPG

That is a first for the letter M. It looks like Mantetsu was only using two (2) digits in the beginning? Starting with the N-series, they went to three (3) digits? This could indicate that other letters such as A, B, D, E, ... , could be encountered in the future. C17 to C30 H14 M61 N1 to N408 @BANGBANGSAN, are there any other pictures of M61 available? Sorry Bruce, I just had to ask first!

Trystan, I only have one on file and it was reported by @Brian. Below is the link so that you can compare it to the one above. If possible, have the owner look for a 江 on the nakago mune. Keep us informed of the results of your investigation. 隠岐國住沖光 = Oki kuni jū Okimitsu. 昭和二十年六月 = June 1945. Links Iwami Yoshikoyo Gendaito and Arsenal Stamps., Page #15

Tenzoshan Tarenjo ... but more?

Yes and I can narrow it down to late 1942 and early 1943. By early 1943, I mean prior to April 1943. I have never seen this marking before but it does look like 関 as Trystan indicated. Hard to tell what the second character is though without having another example to compare to. The other character on the wood handle liner looks like 大 which means "large". Victor, below are two links about Type 95s that you might enjoy looking at. Start with the first one and then move on to the second one. IJA Type 95 NCO Sword Info Short Development History of Type 95 Gunto

I compared it to the other Kasuga that is dated May and I agree that they are the same style and cut. The sword in the OP then is dated May 1945 昭和二十年五月. For those that would like to look at the auction photographs, see the link below. I would like to extend my thanks to Trystan for locating the auction photographs. Japan -Harumoto - Type 98 -IJA WW2 officer katana, Shin gunto, gendaito - Sword

Thank you for the photo-essay. As you already know, it is a mid-production Type 95 Military Sword that was made by Iijima, one of the main contractors for Kokura Arsenal.