Link Posted January 16, 2009 Report Posted January 16, 2009 I'm trying to figure out what this mark say's It's from a WW2 mount that was done on a signed blade from the Muromachi period. The sword was given to my Father in 1948 by a Japanese Army officer. I've been told from another forum member who knows his stuff (I don't) He translated the tang sig. for me but was having trouble with the mount mark and the mark is a probably the Family name of the officer who gave the sword to my Father. My Father tried very hard not to take the sword but the officer insisted and made it very clear that if the sword wasn't taken that it would be a great insult to the Officer so my Dad took it and told me this sword should have stayed in that Japanese family. So my first thought was to find out the family name and return the sword, but was advised by the guy who read the tang sig. that it might be very insulting to return the sword. But one thought I had was that maybe the Japanese Officer had no heir to sword at the time and at that time in his life thought my Dad worthy of such a gift (or the guy had a much better sword to pass on who knows) and possibly later in his life regretted not keeping the sword to pass on. So I wanted to at least get the mark translated and then go from there. I will not make a hasty decision on trying to return the sword but the more info. I gather the better the decision will be. Thanks in advance for any help or advice. /Users/larryminghi/Desktop/IMG_0280.JPG Quote
Link Posted January 16, 2009 Author Report Posted January 16, 2009 Sorry no image attached. I will figure it out and post back with image Quote
Rich S Posted January 16, 2009 Report Posted January 16, 2009 Yes, I think a family name. The closest I can find in Chappelear is Makita, but that may not be right. RIch S Quote
John A Stuart Posted January 16, 2009 Report Posted January 16, 2009 It is a name like Yoshida or Shitsuda. I can't find the first kanji. John Quote
Link Posted January 17, 2009 Author Report Posted January 17, 2009 Wow, I hadn't thought there might be a possibility of different translations. Thanks for your help if it seems no one is really sure on this one. Quote
Nobody Posted January 17, 2009 Report Posted January 17, 2009 That is Fujita (藤田) without doubt. 1 Quote
Link Posted January 17, 2009 Author Report Posted January 17, 2009 Nobody said: That is Fujita (藤田) without doubt. Thank-you. May I ask your opinion about trying to return the sword to the family ? Quote
Nobody Posted January 17, 2009 Report Posted January 17, 2009 If there are not other unique identifications, I am afraid that returning the sword is impossible. Quote
Link Posted January 17, 2009 Author Report Posted January 17, 2009 Nobody said: If there are not other unique identifications, I am afraid that returning the sword is impossible. Yes I googled Fujita and it is a very common name. However My Father started a Hunting Club I think in or around Atsugi He said it was called the Japanese hunting club. The Officer and my Dad were close friends some how my Dad got guns back into the hands of the Japanese so they could hunt. My Dad also was given a shot-gun that his Japanese friends had engraved with flowers and his name so I'm thinking it may be possible that some one will remember my Father or passed on a story of why " I gave your sword to a US Army Officer" Anyway there is a data base of Japanese Army officers names I can search and I have a box with pictures of my Dad with his Japanese friends and some letters in Japanese and english from that time in his life. So I don't think it's impossible although very difficult and unlikely I could do it. But my real question is for you is Do you think trying to return the sword would insult any one ? There are some other markings on the mount on the surface that touches or sits against the brass tsuba I will post some pics and again ask for help. Thanks again L.Minghi Quote
Brian Posted January 17, 2009 Report Posted January 17, 2009 Larry, The usual advice is to not try and return a sword from the war. There are many reasons for it, and there have been very few successful returns over the years. Of course you would have to prove it is an antique and forged for it to even go back to Japan. Then there is the situation where many Japanese people have no fondness for swords nowdays, and don't understand the significance. To some, they represent a war that they don't want to remember, and for others they are still a weapon. Some don't want to be reminded of that part of their history. Of course, in your case, there is a chance the original owner is deceased by now, and you would have to communicate through someone to return it to the family. Perhaps they would appreciate it, perhaps they would consider it the return of a gift given. A lot of variables. This one was given voluntarily as a gift, and I think the best you could do is care for it, and give it the respect it deserves. If you do decide to pursue the retirn of it, I would take it very cautiously and perhaps ask the Japanese consulate if they can assist. However prepare yourself for it to be perhaps declined. I am not sure what I would do in that case. Perhaps an attempt to contact the family and just let them know the relationship your father had with theirs, and then slowly mention the sword in passing and see if there is any interest. It's quite a task to attempt. Good luck with what you decide. Brian Quote
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