Help With Gunto Translation

[jamesr]

Hello all,

looking for help/confirmation/correction, translating these kanji. This is a type 3 (0) stamped sword I just purchased and any help would be appreciated. For your amusement I have attempted my own translation but some are a stretch. I am just trying to learn as much as I can since I plan on collecting further.

 

Interestingly, (to me) this sword appears to be stamped 3 times, once above the signature and another on the nakago mune, 2 appear to be showa and I tried to show a possible 3rd odd 1 above the date.

 

Also, any translation on the painted assembly kanji?

 

My guesses put DOM at Feb. 10th 1944 ?

 

Thanks in advance for any experienced translation assistance.

James R.

[reeder]

Smith - Nobumitsu

Stamp above date - Seki stamp

Stamp on nakago mune - Showa stamp

Can't see the other stamp you refer to

Date - Showa 19, 12th month -> December 1944

Paint usually matches assembly numbers on other parts - 1366

[jamesr]

Awesome, thank you so much. I didn't show the 2nd showa stamp above the smith since it was clearly another showa. I believe I have a better idea now on reading the dates correctly. I thought the stamp above date was a seki after closer examination but it is so small its hard for me to make out clearly. I will check the other parts for matching assembly numbers.

 

Now I can start comparing other Nobumitsu signatures to see if I can find a comparable style.

 

Thanks again for the help.

James R.

[Bruce Pennington]

  On 11/4/2017 at 3:19 AM, jamesr said:

I didn't show the 2nd showa stamp above the smith since it was clearly another showa

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James,

Updating this thread and would love to see a picture of the second Showa stamp above the smith's name.  The stamp on the nakago mune is the "Gifu".

[Stephen]

Become quite the grave digger Bruce...lol

[jamesr]

Hello Bruce, here are the Nobumitsu stamp pictures you asked for. I hope these are of some use to you, my photography skills may have gotten even worse if thats possible. If you need a larger or clearer image just let me know and I will make the attempt. Next I will send the Kanetsuga pictures I have as well. Thanks again for all you do.

[jamesr]

Here are the Kanetsuga stamps.

[Bruce Pennington]

  On 1/15/2021 at 4:59 PM, jamesr said:

the Nobumitsu stamp pictures

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James, that's fabulous, thanks!  Boy the Seki stamp on both these really busted me for a few minutes until I could see what they were.  Both are stamped side-ways, and roughly struck.  Both are Gifu & Seki plus Gifu on the mune.

 

Can I get mei and date pics for the Kanetsuga?

 

Also, the Nobumitsu has 2 mekugi ana ... so Rinji fittings?  How about the Kanetsuga?

 

Again, thanks for the help!

[jamesr]

Glad you could see them for what they are, I know they had me scratching my head. Yes, they are both in Rinji fittings (type 3 ?) with 2 mekugi ana on both swords. Here are the date and smith pics for the Kanetsuga. Happy to oblige and hope these were useful for you. James.

[Bruce Pennington]

  On 1/19/2021 at 11:23 PM, jamesr said:

Kanetsuga.

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Thanks James!  That was a good add to the database.

So far, all blades triple-marked - 2 on nakago 1 on mune - are in the 1944-45 date range, and almost all are made by RJT smiths.  Your Nagamitsu and Niel's Norinaga aren't listed on the Japaneseswordindex RJT page, but they could have missed their source data somehow.  No star, so probably not traditionally made.

 

[Kiipu]

  On 1/15/2021 at 4:59 PM, jamesr said:

Hello Bruce, here are the Nobumitsu stamp pictures you asked for.

 

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Can you measure the height of the 関 Seki stamp in the picture above in millimeters?  In the picture it is rotated sideways and I need the height and not the width.

関