John C

I think satomura kiyoyoshi is correct, however it may be pronounced Kiyoshi. 里村 (Satomura): Surname (Village/Home + Village) John C.

Les: Sorry it's not much help, however the first kanji below the ana is Mune and the third is a kao but I can't get the second. John C.

According to the "Orders and Medals of Japan" (Peterson), they appear to be the 6th and 7th class Order of the Sacred Crown (see boxed area of pic). They were bestowed on ladies who exhibited distinguished service. John C.

Google has it as Satomura Kiyoyoshi. John C.

7th class paulownia leaf - could it be from a Rising Sun medal? John C.

Looks like the name at the bottom of the second pic is something (?) mura Kiyoyoshi. John C.

Bruce: I'm sure I'll catch a bit of flack for this, however I've always felt there was more to these numbers that just "assembly" bin numbers for parts etc. There are consistent colors and number of digits used by various smiths (or arsenals, perhaps). And now you have 4 of the same number with almost all souvenirs using two digits and black paint. I still think these numbers have something to do with applying to different smiths or arsenals, possibly for pay purposes or as an identifyer for polishers. John C.

Tim: This blurb from DHL's website discussing the things they ship suggests they will ship a knife. I wonder if labeling it as "cutlery" would change anything. Kappabashi Kappabashi shopping street, located near Ueno Park in Tokyo, is often called "Kitchen Town." This unique district appeals to professional chefs, restaurant owners, and food enthusiasts seeking authentic and professional-grade culinary tools. It offers a wide and diverse range of specialized equipment not easily found elsewhere. What is Kappabashi famous for? Specialized, Fragile, and Heavy Items: This includes hand-forged knives (Hōchō), high-quality ceramics, and lacquerware. These goods require careful international shipping from Japan due to their fragility and significant value. Realistic Food Samples (Sampuru): The street is famous for these highly detailed models. While not heavy, their detailed and delicate nature means they require extensive protective packaging when shipping. John C.

Volker: Interesting. The Hitler Jugend visited Seki in 1938 and were gifted tanto by Kanehide and a few other smiths. Is there any mention of this in the book or is there any indication the writing of the book was inspired by this event? John C.

I also thought it was unusual, or at least uncommon, to see a staged photo using a type 95 (the pic above - seated soldier with picture of palmtree in background). John C.

To me it looks like 6 3 20 (the old number style). John C.

Juan: In regard to the thickness, picture this blade on the end of a 8 to 12 foot pole. Imagine a line of ashigaru as the first line of defense for cavalry. These blades were used against horses and armor at full charge. The yari had to be quite robust to withstand the impact. John C.

It could be - and maybe that's the reason for the different construction, however the auction description is "Iron" so I just took their word for it. John C.

I was wondering if iron jingasa can be dated by their construction. Most iron ones I have seen are made with plates and rivets or folds like the first pic. The second one pictured is clearly a single curved piece with a unique fastening system. Were multiple methods used throughout the history of the jingasa or can a period be determined by the construction method? Thank you, John C.

I believe the date is Feb Showa 13 (1938). The smith is perhaps Hiromitsu? John C.