mei translation help please.

[mattlehman]

Thanks in advance. The story goes that my grandfather picked this sword off a body in WW2 and marched with it for a few miles in his pant leg before he could ship it back to my grandmother. He had to carry it in his pants because if caught, the officers would take it from him and send it home themselves.

 

He always wanted to try to find the family (if it was possible) and give it back to them. I learned of that upon his death and it was given to me. My research has given me more questions than answers. It does have the star stamp which is associated with Rikugun Jumei Tosho.

 

Any help as to the maker or date would be great. I think it was probably a factory made sword, since they would be more common, but I could be wrong. Thanks again

[Stephen]

date is 1942

 

posting the pix so its not such a head turner,,Kuni ..something...hiro???

[mattlehman]

Thank you for that much. I also forgot to mention that there is a 487 stamped on the bottom of the tang. Don't know if that helps or means anything.

[Nobody]

The mei is 堀川治右衛門國威作 (Horikawa Jiemon Kunitake saku).

[mattlehman]

Thank you again.

 

Is this just a mass produced sword for WW2 or is there anyway marking to help locate the original family name?

[John A Stuart]

Horikawa Jiuemon Kunitake was born in 1897 and worked as a Rikugun Jumei Tosho during WWII. He founded Akita Prefecture Danrensho and worked as the first president. He was regarded as the best Showa smith that worked in Akita with Shibata Ka. This is who made the sword not who may have carried it. You need personal info, like surrender tags, or notes from your grandpa as to where it was obtained or maybe even by family mon on the fittings to give you direction in this kind of search. John

[Guido]

It has a star stamp, so chances are it's traditionally made, not mass-produced. However, not having a surrender tag (since it wasn't exactly "surrendered") makes finding the descendants of the owner virtually impossible. And even if you could locate them, I'd think twice about asking them "do you want the sword of your grandfather back that my grandfather took from him after he / his buddies killed him?" Possibly not a great conversation starter ...

[mattlehman]

once again, thank you so very much. This is all very interesting to me, but ridiculously confusing to research....like trying to read Japanese....

 

One thing that confused me was why the number 487 would be stamped on the tang? Why would they have used english numbers?

 

I'm afraid all of that information would have been lost when my grandfather died. I know the sword was taken from a dead body somewhere near Iwo Jima.

 

Thanks again for all your help and information. I hope you all have a wonderful year.

[mattlehman]

My thoughts were more along the lines of "Hey it was very dishonorable of my grandfather to take this from your family. He realized this after the fact and carried the shame with him until he died. Please forgive him and accept this as an apology.

[Guido]

Matt, try to think the other way around: a Russian approaching me, trying to give me the Mauser his grandfather took from my grandfather after he stepped on the Russian's land mine that ripped him into pieces.

 

As honorable as the intentions on both sides are, some things in the past should be laid to rest, not old wounds opened again. Just my very personal opinion.

[mattlehman]

Fair enough. I could understand that. Doesn't sound like I would ever be able to find the original family anyways. Truth be told, I've admired it since I was a child and would have been torn to see it go.

 

Next question, which is more for curiosity and will help me in storing it and displaying it.

 

What is the range for it's value? I would never sell it, but should I keep it in a gun safe or display it in my house?

[mattlehman]

another photo

[John A Stuart]

I would keep it as safe as possible, it's worth a fair bit and I think reminiscent of your grandpa and thus irreplaceable. I keep my swords in a safe. John

[GregD]

Havent seen to many "star stamped" Rikugun Jumei Tosho in Gunto mounts,usually in "44 pattern Gunto(erroniously"Marine landing" swords)Usually these swords are of better quality than most blades you will find in these mounts.

Greg

[Stephen]

must have been thinking else where when I looked at the star stamp, a little 101 on handling the sword, always keep the sword cutting edge up. The sword is made to be pulled out on its back or mune. Please check the links for proper care. Surprised that this was not caught by others. If you have time it would be nice to see the full blade sans mounts as its always a pleasure to see well made gendaito and from the looks you have a fine one.

[Brian]

As Greg said, it is quite unusual to find these in standard Gunto mounts instead of the 1944 pattern mounts. Nice find, and looks like a blade worth restoring if you can.

All advice nowdays goes against trying to return it. I think you would be showing the correct respect by looking after it and respecting what it represents. (Or selling to me :lol: )

 

Brian

[mattlehman]

The full blade picture will have to wait a few months. It resides in VA for now and I am in CA. I will be heading back in April/May to drive it back with some other inheritances. Thanks for the tip on the handling.

[mattlehman]

I was finally able to pick up the sword and here are full pictures. Can anyone give me a ballpark figure of it's value. I need to figure out if I am going to put it on my insurance. thanks

[mattlehman]

more pictures...

[mattlehman]

as you can see it's in pretty darn good shape. a few small nicks on the blade and the part of the handle that houses the button release is broken. All the parts are there and working, but the wood around it has deteriorated with age.

[mattlehman]

I guess it's safe to say no one wants to venture a guess? Does anyone know a good appraiser in the southern california area?

[Grey Doffin]

I can think of a few I'd tell you to avoid at all cost.

I'm not much on gendai value and I'm not familiar with the smith but here goes. You can figure at least $2,000 and probably no more than $4,000. Maybe someone who follows that market can get closer to a value and/or correct me?

Grey

[mattlehman]

Thanks Grey. I appreciate your help.

[shibeni]

Guess, if your's Kunitake was made in 1942 with number 487, my was made by him January 1943, and has number 490..Could be Kunitake's sword production numbering?

Regards,

Bojan S.

[ROKUJURO]

Bojan,

three pictures are wrongly orientated. Blades should be shown tip-up.

[shibeni]

Bojan,

three pictures are wrongly orientated. Blades should be shown tip-up.

Thanx, I know..On mobile phone pictures were orientated ok..now corrected.

Regards,

Bojan S.