Seeking Help In Deciphering The Markings On This Katana (More Pics In Album)

[Andrei]

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 

[ChrisW]

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.

[Bruce Pennington]

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.

[Andrei]

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

[Mister Gunto]

Andrei,

 

Nice hamon! You can certainly get the blade polished, but it will be expensive to do so, at least $1000 or more. 

[Bruce Pennington]

It cost me $2,300.

[vajo]

Bruce your Mantetsu is outstanding now. Well worth restauration in all points. A treasure for the next generations.

This is why we do this. 

[reeder]

A lot of money for not having used a properly trained polisher.

[Bruce Pennington]

A lot of money for not having used a properly trained polisher.

Sure I understand. I got my money’s worth though.

[Andrei]

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? 

[Bruce Pennington]

Andrei,

 

Hamons come in many shapes and styles. This was be is a straight one, often considered harder to produce.

[Dave R]

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!

[vajo]

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

[vajo]

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 Saku
Syowa Kiuharu (1939)

[vajo]

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.

[reeder]

 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.

[Dave R]

Who would you take a non traditional blade to, to be polished?

[Kiipu]

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)