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Need help identifying the maker of this katana

Codyjonz1
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Codyjonz1 Rookie

Codyjonz1

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Posted

I inherited a sword that has been in our family since brought back from WWII. Wondering if anyone can tell me anything about it such as who made it and when.

Thanks in advance.

 

Cody J

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Austus Community Regular

Austus

Posted
Posted

Wow. I can't wait to hear more about this sword.

That's the coolest menuki I've ever seen; and we can only see half of it.  Three toed dragon? And what is that mon(?) above the ana? It doesn't match the mon on the tsuka. Chiseled ana? Looks tachi from here, long and thin. I'm just guessing, since no one else has responded.

At least let me say : Don't touch the blade or clean anything!! Looks like your family has taken good care of it; and looks to be a really nice specimen. 

  • Like 1
Guest

Guest

Posted
Posted

The Kamon is known as Maru Ni Maki No Kashiwa (Slightly overlapping Daimyo Oak Leaves within a circle), as opposed to the more spaced leaf version known as Maru Ni Mitsu Gashiwa.

 

kashiwa27.gifkashiwa2.gif

  • Like 3
Codyjonz1 Rookie

Codyjonz1

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Thank you everyone for the information behind this sword. I’ll take more pictures of the sword tomorrow to provide further detail.

 

The story I got from my Uncle is that my Great Grandfather was in the pacific as part of 6th ID, 1st Infantry Regiment and led a charge to take an enemy base, killing the enemy commanding officer and taking his sword. The flag in the photo was the flag of that base and was signed by his platoon and awarded to him for his gallantry and leading the assault to close with and destroy the enemy.

 

He never told us this story and we had no idea of the swords existence. He only spoke of it to my Uncle who fought in the 101st IR in Vietnam and was given the sword when he returned from being drafted into combat and serving 2 tours.

 

When I graduated college in 2005 I joined the service as an Infantryman with 4th ID and was deployed to Iraq. My Uncle had a conversation with me when I returned about what he and I had experienced and as he had no sons, he gave me the sword. We all brought back trophies but nothing like a family sword and I was told to give it to my oldest living son or any direct descendant of my Great Grandfather who serves in a combat role (if any of my cousins kids do then they’re kid takes precedence over mine unless my son serves in a combat role.)

 

I have never spoken about my experiences with my family and plan to do with our Family sword as my uncle did with me. As I have 3 girls who will NEVER serve in combat I am waiting to see if any of my cousin’s sons do. If they do, it will go to them, if not my oldest daughter will hold it until a later generation worthy can take it.

 

I couldn’t in good-conscience sell it but I very much appreciate the information from everyone. I had no idea that there was a whole forum dedicated to these items until I found Nihonto forum.

 

Thank you everyone who can help shed light on this heirloom!!

 

Cody J

  • Like 7
Jacques Grand Master

Jacques

Posted
Posted

Third Generation Iga no kami Kinmichi (around 1680). At first glance, mei seems shoshin. This sword deserves to be seen by a real expert to project to send it to shinsa

16k Grand Master

16k

Posted
Posted

Thank you everyone for the information behind this sword. I’ll take more pictures of the sword tomorrow to provide further detail.

 

The story I got from my Uncle is that my Great Grandfather was in the pacific as part of 6th ID, 1st Infantry Regiment and led a charge to take an enemy base, killing the enemy commanding officer and taking his sword. The flag in the photo was the flag of that base and was signed by his platoon and awarded to him for his gallantry and leading the assault to close with and destroy the enemy.

 

He never told us this story and we had no idea of the swords existence. He only spoke of it to my Uncle who fought in the 101st IR in Vietnam and was given the sword when he returned from being drafted into combat and serving 2 tours.

 

When I graduated college in 2005 I joined the service as an Infantryman with 4th ID and was deployed to Iraq. My Uncle had a conversation with me when I returned about what he and I had experienced and as he had no sons, he gave me the sword. We all brought back trophies but nothing like a family sword and I was told to give it to my oldest living son or any direct descendant of my Great Grandfather who serves in a combat role (if any of my cousins kids do then they’re kid takes precedence over mine unless my son serves in a combat role.)

 

I have never spoken about my experiences with my family and plan to do with our Family sword as my uncle did with me. As I have 3 girls who will NEVER serve in combat I am waiting to see if any of my cousin’s sons do. If they do, it will go to them, if not my oldest daughter will hold it until a later generation worthy can take it.

 

I couldn’t in good-conscience sell it but I very much appreciate the information from everyone. I had no idea that there was a whole forum dedicated to these items until I found Nihonto forum.

 

Thank you everyone who can help shed light on this heirloom!!

 

Cody J

 

this is a great story and gesture Cody!

 

you can be proud of your great grandfather, uncle and yourself. I like to see a sword cherished like that! You and your family have all my respect!

  • Like 4
uwe Grand Master

uwe

Posted
Posted

Small thing to add, Cody:

 

The tsuba is signed "因州住正充" + kaô (Inshū-jū Masamitsu). It is a late Edo – Inaba – Inshū-Suruga school smith.

 

Only for the records....

Codyjonz1 Rookie

Codyjonz1

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Posted

Do you mean that having the blade professionally polished would affect the swords value? I’ve been told to leave the patina under the handle but am unsure about the blade.

 

Cody J

Codyjonz1 Rookie

Codyjonz1

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Posted

Makino being the famous Makino family.

I looked up Makino in the JEA and saw a Shiro Makino leading their 16 regiment and they ended battling with 6th Infantry (my Great Grandfathers group but the source said Shiro committed suicide (not killed as our family story was told) so not sure. May be his sword.

Bazza Grand Master

Bazza

Posted
Posted

Cody,

 

Thanks so very much for sharing this sword.  That's a wonderful photo of the gold dragon under the handle binding.  Would you mind taking a photo of the one on the other side, closeup like the one you've put up.

 

Thanks,

BaZZa.

aka Barry Thomas

Melbourne, Australia.

 

EDIT;  OOOOPS - I see it was in Cody's first batch of photos...  Sorry.

SAS Grand Master

SAS

Posted
Posted

Cody, rust on handle=good, rust on blade=bad. Owner wiping blade with oil=good, wiping with sandpaper, scotchbrite, steel wool, etc= BAD. Rust removal from the blade portion is done by trained professionals only. Good that you asked.

Ken-Hawaii Grand Master

Ken-Hawaii

Posted
Posted

 

Do you mean that having the blade professionally polished would affect the swords value?

Yes, absolutely. Assuming that it was going to be sold, a togishi polish would greatly-increase the blade's value. As it won't be sold, however, I doubt that a professional polish is needed. Just please follow the maintenance instructions in the NBTHK sword etiquette to keep it in good condition.

Jacques Grand Master

Jacques

Posted
Posted

Is David Hofhine a reputable polisher? I want to polish it to get it as pristine as possible for future decades.

 

Cody Jones

 

He is not tradionally trained so i would avoid him.

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Codyjonz1 Rookie

Codyjonz1

Posted
  • Author
Posted

Third Generation Iga no kami Kinmichi (around 1680). At first glance, mei seems shoshin. This sword deserves to be seen by a real expert to project to send it to shinsa

Codyjonz1 Rookie

Codyjonz1

Posted
  • Author
Posted

Third Generation Iga no kami Kinmichi (around 1680). At first glance, mei seems shoshin. This sword deserves to be seen by a real expert to project to send it to shinsa

Pardon as I am new to this but what does Shoshin mean in this context? Do you mean that it looks like a beginners signature?

  • 3 months later...
nagamaki - Franco Veteran

nagamaki - Franco

Posted
Posted (edited)

Takeo Seki in BC Canada and Shigekazu "Jimmy" Hayashi in San Francisco are both fully trained polishers. While Jimmy would be my first choice, Takeo would almost certainly have a shorter wait time for his service. I have used both polishers multiple times and highly recommend.

 

Also, the dragon menuki 'appear' to be of very good quality.  

 

http://www.nihontocraft.com/Jimmy_Hayashi_Sword_Polisher.html

Edited by nagamaki - Franco
  • Like 2

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