John C

@xiayang Sorry, Peter. I was seeing this 参 on the date thinking it was a 3. John C.

Hello: I picked up a Japanese cavalry manual from 1912 and thought I would share some pics for those interested. The first is a layout of the cavalry soldier's kit (note the type 32 on the table). The second is one of the pics on riding position. I found it interesting that the artist took some artistic license (licence in UK and Oz) with the horse's eyes. John C.

Peter: I can get you started with the date. Looks like an auspicious day in March, Showa 13. John C.

Hrushev: If the blade is hand forged, it's a nice Chinese made blade. It just isn't a Japanese katana. John C.

It's not the ww2 smith, if that's what you are asking. I believe this blade is older. John C.

Looks like someone filed in a secondary bevel on the edge, which is not typical of Japanese blades. I think Chris is correct about it being a souvenir piece. John C.

Another... https://www.ebay.com/itm/277650095032? John C.

Interesting. They all seem to have the two small holes and two large holes (with carved branches I assume) in the front. Any idea what the symbolism is behind that? John C.

Nick: Not sure if it was covered yet, the smith is Ando Kanemoto. John C.

Excellent, Sham. Added to the list! John C. p.s. That's 44 serial numbers on record; that particular mark is seen on the serial number side up through about number 1,000, however there is a large gap between 1,000 and 1,900 so unsure of the exact point the mark changed.

Nick: I haven't read the FB post, however one reason someone may be calling it fake is because of the way the bohi appears to be ground in. This is far more common on fakes but is not unheard of on legit swords. John C.

Looks like numbers to me. ? 6 5 perhaps? John C.

Thank you for your assistance, Thomas; and for the lead! I'll add 5297 to the list. John C.

If you search Metallurgy on NMB you'll get 286 results. Just to get you started: John C.

I was reading the way it was written on the tang. Here's some info from Sesko: AKISUKE (明督), Shōwa (昭和, 1926-1989), Tottori – “Shikon Akisuke” (士魂明督), real name Yata Monji (矢田門二), born August 26th 1899, he was working as a swordsmith from about 1942 onwards, the prefix shikon (士魂) means “Samurai spirit” (see picture right) John C.

saku kore??? John C.

Thomas @Kiipu: I was re-reading the article on the Meiji 25 pinned by Nick Komiya on warrelics and I had a question. In the first couple of pages, Nick and you talk about several changes proposed to the design of the Meiji 25. It reminded me of this one posted on worthpoint that was listed as a "prototype." Could this be one of the prototypes or is it one of the lesser seen variants? Note the release button has moved from the backstrap to the fuchi area. https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/variation-Japanese-sword-1892-type-25-1819636582

Okay. So the inside diameter of 14mm is an indicator that it was made for the standard rifle barrel. There were a group of school practice bayonets with diameters of 13.2mm that were for training only. John C.

Nazar: Could you post the muzzle ring diameter? (I would expect 14-14.5mm but could be 13.2mm). John C.

Jace: I think the blade itself is older than ww2. It was common practice for soldiers to carry their family or donated swords. John C. p.s. I don't think the bayonet is Japanese. German (or derivative) perhaps.

Thanks, Piers. I too am not a fashionista. And I think I did read somewhere the longevity of this type of netsuke was fairly short, having become popular just about the time western clothing with pockets also became popular. John C.

Okay. So were men's obi not as wide as women's? The opening for the obi-hasami is around 3 inches (7,5 cm). At one shaku, I guess one could fold it in half twice and it would be about the right width. John C.

I have a general question about obi-hasami netsuke. The ones that I have all contain obi slots around the same length. But not exactly. There is a range. Question: were these made to order or were they made enmasse because obi were a standard width (kind of like men's ties - the same width, depending on the fad at the time)? Follow-up question: ( I get two, right?) Were there changes in obi width throughout certain time periods, from which we could ascertain the time period for a corresponding netsuke? John C.

Same with the original cloth wrap. I was watching a "War in the Pacific" documentary and a second of video footage showed a G.I taking a sword from a surrendering soldier that had the cloth wrap still applied (one assumes to keep it clean). John C.

Chikashige saku, perhaps? John C. p.s. Not a translator, so please wait for an official reading. just trying to look it up on the mei chart.