Andrei Posted January 20, 2019 Report Posted January 20, 2019 Hi everyone, I was referred here by a user on r/Katanas. I received a Katana from my grandpa. I never had the chance to ask him how he acquired this piece. I am not well versed in Katana history and would like to know more about this. Does anyone know the translation for the markings on the Tang? 服郚鍛刀所造之 Markings exist in a couple places: One side of the Tang (nothing on other side) Top of Tsuka Both sides of cloth Imgur album: https://imgur.com/a/mnlNMDT Edit: Users on r/Katana have said this about the markings, but the meaning on the Tang is still undecided: "The cloth tag is a name and address. These were commonly attached by the owner before the swords were confiscated. 中井利一郎 - Nakai Riichiro (last name, first name) 滋賀県滋賀郡和邇村 - Shiga-ken, Shiga-gun, Wani-mura - Wani Village, Shiga District, Shiga Prefecture The tsuka just says the name Nakai (bottom) and some numbers (top). The characters written on the saya where the lacquer has peeled are 平和 (heiwa, peace)." -Andrei Quote
ChrisW Posted January 20, 2019 Report Posted January 20, 2019 Its a gunto (WWII sword, likely non-traditional make) with surrender tags. I am sure other members will easily be able to translate them for you. Its in pretty rough shape overall. Quote
Bruce Pennington Posted January 20, 2019 Report Posted January 20, 2019 Called a Type 98 Officer sword. Lucky to still have the original fabric tassel loop on the handle! You can read a great deal about them here: http://ohmura-study.net/900.html Sorry but I cannot read smith names either. Someone will. Quote
Andrei Posted January 20, 2019 Author Report Posted January 20, 2019 Thanks for the info guys! Chris, you mention it is in rough shape. On one side of the blade, there is a beautiful hamon, while the other has a patina. There is also some rust developing on the tip. Do you think it can be restored such that the entire blade looks like good side? Album of Hamon: https://imgur.com/a/DBbVPMX -Andrei Quote
Mister Gunto Posted January 21, 2019 Report Posted January 21, 2019 Andrei, Nice hamon! You can certainly get the blade polished, but it will be expensive to do so, at least $1000 or more. Quote
vajo Posted January 21, 2019 Report Posted January 21, 2019 Bruce your Mantetsu is outstanding now. Well worth restauration in all points. A treasure for the next generations. This is why we do this. 1 Quote
reeder Posted January 22, 2019 Report Posted January 22, 2019 A lot of money for not having used a properly trained polisher. 1 Quote
Bruce Pennington Posted January 22, 2019 Report Posted January 22, 2019 A lot of money for not having used a properly trained polisher. Sure I understand. I got my money’s worth though. 1 Quote
Andrei Posted January 22, 2019 Author Report Posted January 22, 2019 Hi Bruce, i have been looking into polishing, and also checked out the blade mentioned in one of your posts on buyee. The blade is certainly very well polished, but i don't see the typical wavy Hamon most Katanas have. Can a polish remove a hamon? Quote
Bruce Pennington Posted January 22, 2019 Report Posted January 22, 2019 Andrei, Hamons come in many shapes and styles. This was be is a straight one, often considered harder to produce. 1 Quote
Dave R Posted January 22, 2019 Report Posted January 22, 2019 A lot of money for not having used a properly trained polisher. You are aware that Mantetsu cannot be taken into Japan, and most traditional polishers elsewhere won't touch them because they ruin the stones. Not a lot of choices when you want to refurbish a non traditional blade! 1 Quote
vajo Posted January 22, 2019 Report Posted January 22, 2019 Dave did AOI doesnt sell polished Mantetsu? https://www.aoijapan.com/katanako-a-issin-mantetsu-saku-syowa-kinoe-saru/ fresh polished https://www.aoijapan.com/img/sword/2018/18518-2.jpg The next step will be Hozon on a Mantetsu lately when it reached 100 years old 1 Quote
vajo Posted January 22, 2019 Report Posted January 22, 2019 And the next polished mantetsu http://www.sword-auction.jp/en/content/as15813-%E8%BB%8D%E5%88%80%EF%BC%9A%E8%88%88%E4%BA%9C%E4%B8%80%E5%BF%83%E6%BA%80%E9%90%B5%E4%BD%9C-gunto-koa-issin-mantetsu-saku Koa Issin Mantetsu SakuSyowa Kiuharu (1939) 1 Quote
vajo Posted January 22, 2019 Report Posted January 22, 2019 Kouwa Isshin Mantetsu / Showa Kanoto Kinotomi Haru (1941 Spring) https://www.aoijapan.net/katanakouwa-isshin-mantetsu-showa-kanoto-kinotomi-haru-1941-spring/ You find a few polished Mantetsu blades in Japan. Quote
reeder Posted January 22, 2019 Report Posted January 22, 2019 You are aware that Mantetsu cannot be taken into Japan, and most traditional polishers elsewhere won't touch them because they ruin the stones. Not a lot of choices when you want to refurbish a non traditional blade! Fully aware, and that's not true. 1 Quote
Dave R Posted January 22, 2019 Report Posted January 22, 2019 Who would you take a non traditional blade to, to be polished? Quote
Kiipu Posted October 21, 2022 Report Posted October 21, 2022 On 1/20/2019 at 11:03 AM, Andrei said: Does anyone know the translation for the markings on the Tang? 服郚鍛刀所造之 I think this is Hattori 服部 and not 服郚. Below is a link to Hattori's website showing another example of the mei. http://www.katana-hattori.com/enkaku_01/binsen_ww2_01.html Edit: @SteveM had already correctly translated it in another thread. Seeking Help In Deciphering The Markings On This Katana (More Pics In Album) Quote
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