Date of first post war Japanese police sword registrations.

[seattle1]

Hello:

By agreement of the San Francisco Treaty the US Occupation of Japan effectively ended on April 28, 1952. Swords were registered, doubtless by domestic initiative, either somewhat before or starting that year, which was Showa 27. Many swords were to be registered but not all swords were registered during the first year; rather they were invited or required to be presented according to Government selective criteria. I am curious about the criteria and about the year. I have not been able to get this information from open research sources or from anyone who might know for certain. I have been told 26 or 27, but the reporter of even that information was quite unsure.

Does anyone know about these things?

Thank you.

Arnold F.

[cabowen]

Interesting question Arnold....The earliest post war blade I have seen was a tanto dated showa 21! Certainly illegal at that point. The earliest torokusho I recall seeing was issued in Showa 27. I haven't seen any "official" info about torokusho as I suspect the Bunkacho, like most Japanese government offices, believe secrets are beautiful things....

[Peter Bleed]

Armold and Chris,

Indeed this is an interesting question. I just can't believe that swords were ever entirely unobserved.

But of more immediate interest just yesterday - during our neighborhood, OMG! - one of the neighbors brought over an Otanto her grandfather bought in Japan. It is a family treasure and not in play, A nice niji-mei Kanetsune. What is relevant here is that it has a Showa 27 dated torokusho. It was purchased from a "dealer" but I paid the document no more attention. I'll go back and see if there is more specific information. I can easily believe that dealers who were servicing USAF officers might be early adopters of new regulations.

Peter

[Peter Bleed]

And what is this? It appears to be dated showa 26.

 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/SA241-Japanese- ... 20ea7d9f04

[cabowen]

I believe that is a receipt for paying for licensing (torokusho) but not the actual torokusho itself....

[Brian]

All hadori. Where's the hamon?

 

Brian

[Nobody]

The attached image of a Torokusho is dated Mar. 31, Showa 26th (1951).

 

Also I found the following document.

The attached document is a notification to owners of firearms or Nihonto issued by the education board of Aich prefecture in Dec. 1950.

According to the document;

- The GHQ issued a memo on May 29, 1950, which noticed Japanese Government that the prohibition order on firearms or Nihonto was abolished and new "Firearms and Sword Law" would be issued on Nov. 15, 1950.

- Old licenses issued by public safety commission should be changed to new Torokusho until Mar. 31, 1951.

[Brian]

Wow.

Great find Moriyama san! I think that is a landmark document as far as Nihonto go.

 

Brian

[seattle1]

Hello:

Excellent Moriyama san!

I had heard it "might" be Showa 26 or 27, but this is the first substantive actual document I have seen. I had been curious as I had heard that in the first year priority was given to Temple, Shrine and former Daimyo family collections.

Thank you.

Arnold F.

[seattle1]

Hell Again:

Hankei - that figures!

Arnold F.