Stamps On A Nihonto

[gyvel]

Hello everyone!

What does this stamps means? 98 or 86 and this 4 bars? (See the attached photos) it is a gendaito from 1944 in type 3 mounts.

 

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/Gustaf

 

 

[mdiddy]

The stamp is the oft-discussed star stamp indicating the blade was traditionally made.  If you search the forum there is a lot more info on the star stamp from previous discussions.

 

I think the bars are probably inventory marks.

 

I have no idea about the '98' or '86'.  Maybe warehouse numbers or sizing information for the kodogu.

 

[cabowen]

They are assembly/arsenal markings. The "4 bars" is possibly a 1 and then 3, meaning perhaps "13"......

[george trotter]

I think the '98' may be a RJT shinsa number. Maybe the code of the particular inspector who did the necessary shinsa on these blades to maintain quality. I say this as I have the same number in the same place on my RJT blade by Takashima Kunihide. He worked in Kyoto but the inspection and mounting may have been done at a central place like Osaka, which is where Hidemine worked. I have seen the number '90' in the same place on a second sword by Takashima Kunihide (NBTHK Hozon).

 

 

I think Chris is right on the "four Strokes" near the jiri...probably a number for smith's workshop production record of some kind...these "tally" or contract numbers are often found on RJT tangs near the jiri, and sometimes include a katakana before the western style number.

Hope this helps,

[gyvel]

Thank you for the answers! Yes it is a sword made by hidemine. Do anybody knows anything about "Hidemine" or real name (Kojima Tadao)? If someone know any thing more about the stamps please tell me.

 

Gustaf