John C

Rowan: Just my two cents, however I agree with the others. I have the same problem with one of my blades from a 40 year + fingerprint. I have also seen acid from prints and sweat permanently etch a pair of handcuffs! John C.

Unfortunately not. Nihonto is not my main area. But, to my untrained eye, the mei looks a little "loose" - meaning not written in a flowing, confident manner. It's a bit sloppy. Remember, however, that blades and signatures run the gamut from excellent blades that are mumei to really bad blades with big names on them and everything in between. It is a nihonto and it should be preserved. You own a real piece of history; that's the fun part. John C.

Nick: Here is a link to get you started: https://www.bushidojapaneseswords.com/about-us.html Ted Tenold would be another. But as Franco said above, the process is expensive - about 70-100 dollars per inch! Personally, I would do more research on the mei first to be reasonably certain it is legit before dropping that much cash on a polish. In the meantime, you can read-up on some of the preservation methods discussed on NMB (i.e., oiling the blade, using uchiko powder over a period of time, etc.). John C.

Ah, thanks. I thought maybe it meant a "tired" blade but it's just the opposite. John C.

Colin: I am still rather new to this...what does that mean? John C.

I can't make the stamps out exactly, however very common to have showa or gifu inside the sakura petal. It would indicate the blade came from an arsenal. John C.

Here's a gunzoku with the remnants of a brown tassel on Ebay now. https://www.ebay.com/itm/334889216905 John C.

All of the above I should think. It seems the longer a sword has been around, the least likely it will have matching numbers. This lends credence to the observation that souvenir swords, for the most part, have matching numbers because they were not used in combat. And by matching numbers I mean the painted nakago numbers matching the numbers stamped on the fittings. John C.

Thank you, Mark. I had a note about Yasuki steel but it started with a different kanji, which is what threw me. John C.

One the reverse side of an Asano Kanezane blade. The first character looks like An as in Ansei, though that wouldn't make sense given the smith. Any help would be appreciated. John C.

This is what makes the whole assembly number thing interesting to me. The fittings are made for a particular sword so they need to keep track. But with the possible exception of souvenir swords, the numbers on the blade usually do not match the numbers on the fittings. Lots of reasons for this - damage to original fittings usually - but why do replacement fittings all have the same number? If the entire set were remade, I would think the numbers would match the blade; if the parts were piece-meal (use whichever one fits), I would expect there to be a variety of fitting numbers on each blade. I also think the reason we see consistent numbers on souvenir blades and fittings goes back to damage - not being used during the war means less damage and less chance of needing, or even finding, replacements. I just think there is something more to the "assembly number" thing than what we currently know. And I get that I am the lone voice in the wilderness on this, however I would like to complete the puzzle - even if I know what the picture already looks like. John C.

The overall shape of the nakago and alignment of the machi seem legit, though. Bohi looks okay. Not sure about this one. Just my one-and-a-half cents. John C.

It's a gendaito made in 1944. I am not 100 percent sure of the regs imposed by the Occupying forces, however I think it would have been illegal for someone not under contract by the Army to hand forge a sword right after the war. I think that may have changed around 1952 or so? Not sure. John C.

The mei on my Kanehide gendaito has the green assembly number paint inside as well. So clearly applied after the sword was finished. But when, where, by whom, and for what exact reason are the questions I am trying to answer through a study of assembly numbers. Nothing interesting to report so far. The only patterns I have identified to this point are that 1) some smiths (or shops; or factories) used the same paint color consistently and 2) the number of digits seems to be consistent (usually 2,3, or4 with some having a katakana or western letter prefix). John C.

Thank you guys. I am interested in this topic. But could "Oshima" have sold or given the sword to Lt. Kume? That would mean Oshima could still be the original owner, although I think in any case it was put there by the shop - either as their name or the name of the person who ordered it. Just thinking out loud, John C.

I think you are right that we just can't pin it down yet. It would be nice to know if those ladies were in a shop or in a factory. Long hallway like a factory but I don't know anything about what a shop may have looked like. Based on the numbering style and position, I still think the same person wrote them. But where, I have no clue. John C.

Makes sense. On my type 98, all of the fittings have beautifully stamped kanji numbers except the one part that is hidden. The wooden saya insert has the Western numbers. John C.

I see it now. Then I think definitely final polish before delivery. John C.

Here is a rough translation of just the written part if anyone needs it. John C. Gendaito info.docx

I was wondering the same thing. Why would they use the language of the "enemy"? But your idea does give me something else to track...are western style numbers seen earlier, later, or all through out the war. Thank you, John C.

Hello everyone: I am currently researching "assembly" numbers and their exact meaning and usage. But I was struck by the usage of both Western and Japanese numbers on the same gunto fittings. Does anyone know why they would do that? I could come up with a few theories, however I am interested in what you all (ya'll) think. Thank you for your time, John C.

It looks a bit like a Changhua seal stone in the form of a Foo dog. Just my opinion but the carving seems a bit unrefined. John C.

Yes. John C.

Bruce: A couple of interesting things stand out in that photo. Firstly, all of the numbers are in English and written in the same orientation...so by the same person? Secondly, I think they are doing a final polish (no fittings around them, jars of something next to them, and thumbs appear to be rubbing the blade). Still unsure which came first. The blades could have been fitted prior to final polish (to remove any marks or fingerprints) or they are still waiting fitting after final polish, though it would normally be the former rather than the latter. John C.

I would submit in most cases they do not. A sampling or survey gives us a range from which we can make certain assumptions, for example length of blades, based primarily on measures of central tendency. Given a certain range of lengths, we can infer what the mean length might be and any outliers. Conversely, an official document tells us exactly what the length should be. Will "real world data" agree with the document? Sometimes. But often times, for whatever reason, official guidelines are not followed. That's why all methods of investigation and research are important. John C.