New sword, need mei help

[britch]

Hello, I just recenlt picked up this sword. Can anyone help me with the mei? It has a 20" blade, has two holes in the tang, and is in full military mounts

any help would be appreciated

thanks

Brian

[Mark]

dated Showa 8, 1943...... makers name Sukenori, personal name ___da (or ta)

[Ichi]

personal name ___da (or ta)..... Nagata Sukenori

[Mark]

thanks for adding to my psot...... i will be in Tokyo Oct 20-31, any chance we can meet??

[Ichi]

You bet. I will be at Dai Token Ichi on 26th (Friday). I will send you a private message.

[Brian]

Brian

 

I was wondering when someone would pick that one up.

One of the nice little militaria dealers.

They really don't know much about the swords they sell though:

The blade is heavy (massive) and is of the Maru-gitae construction. The hamon is Doran (billowing) and found on both sides of the blade. The blade shape is Unokubi-zuri typical of short swords (tanto). This type of blade was chiefly made by smiths of the Yamato and Kamakura period(s)

 

http://www.japanesesword.com/Images/Swo ... _gunto.htm

Also made by your smith.

Looks like an oil tempered blade to me, but what is interesting is that it is wakizashi length, so if it is one of the WW2 arsenal wakizashi, then that would make it one of the scarce wakizashi made by the WW2 smiths for combat. Maybe a pilot's waki?

 

Regards,

Brian R

[Yoshii]

Hi Brian,

Although i'm not an expert on Japanese names, i suggest that the first two kanji can also mean Mizu ta, this is a name of a place in Bitchu kuni but it is also a familyname in Japan.

I don't think the first two kanji are a surname of this smith.

Greetings Jos

[Nobody]

Hi,

 

The first kanji might look similar, however;

永田 - Nagata

水田 - Mizuta

 

永 (= long) and 水 (= water) are quite distinct from each other.

 

FYI: http://home.earthlink.net/~ttstein/sukenori.jpg

[britch]

Thanks for the info Guys!! I have been trying to pour over Kanji tables but they make my head spin. I have a few Japanese pieces but am more knowledgable about German.

[Roland]

Not an easy language either, britch

[britch]

Also, in reference to the dealer, this was the first time I have dealt with him and he was very courteous and shipped very quickly. I agree with your comment though Did you see the Chinese gem right below this one? Also how do you tell If a blade is water quenched or oil quenched?