Showa Tanto Watanabe Kanenaga

[Matsunoki]

I am not sure if I should post this here or in the Military swords forum as it has a foot in both camps (so I’ve posted it in both…hope that is ok) It is not a military sword but is (I think/hope) by a good Showa smith. If I have got it right it is signed “Seki ju nin Watanabe Kanenaga Saku”and dated 1937. It is in terrible polish….remains of perpendicular scratches etc and is in a shirasaya that someone has adapted to hold it. There is thankfully no serious damage though. They are not great images but I used the lighting that at least showed some of the visible activity. It certainly looks lively but it’s “had a life”. Personally I’ve never seen nie that “heavy” or pronounced(if it is nie) There are also clouds and streams of fine black konie that won’t show in the images scattered in the ji. The polish obscures the hada. Any/all comments or observations greatly appreciated. I’m just getting into later blades….there are some still left in the UK!

Nagasa 28.5cm (39.2 overall)

motokasane 6.22mm (6.29 at thickest part of nakago)

[Brian]

I like the shape of the tanto, looks proper and refined. But that signature......hmmm
It just looks...wrong. Too heavily carved and maybe recent.
I am not sure what to say about this one.

[Matsunoki]

Brian, how about a comparison with the Mei on this one -

https://collectorsmilitaria.com/a_tanto_presented_to_the_german_ambassador_to_japane_Eugen_Ott_051208s.htm

regards

 Colin

 

[Volker62]

Dear Friends

 

 

This Kanenaga Tanto for Hitlers General Eugen Ott German Ambassador from 1938 to 1942, who passed away in Tutzing, Bavaria was in my collection for some years,'til I/trade it with  Bill Rannow, "Art Swords"

 

It was found  at a juweler in Bavaria in 1998

 

 

 

If anybody is interested in this story, please refer "The case of the Spy Richard Sorge"

 

 

 

Volker

 

 

I had send the Tanto to NBTHK shinsa, and it received Hozon status, overall a nice historic piece

 

 

 

[Volker62]

sorry forget to mention

 

juweler shop was in Schwabing near Muinch

 

 

 

[Brian]

  On 4/16/2022 at 12:36 PM, Matsunoki said:

Brian, how about a comparison with the Mei on this one -

https://collectorsmilitaria.com/a_tanto_presented_to_the_german_ambassador_to_japane_Eugen_Ott_051208s.htm

regards

 Colin

 

Expand  

Here you go.
It does have some good points. Yasurime and nakago shape/jiri are good. Some strokes are very different. But it is not way off.
So I'll leave this here for interest.

 

[Matsunoki]

Brian, how about a comparison with the Mei on this one -

https://collectorsmilitaria.com/a_tanto_presented_to_the_german_ambassador_to_japane_Eugen_Ott_051208s.htm

regards

 Colin

 

Brian….it looks spot on to me compared to Page 53 of Slough. What do you think? Colin.

[WulinRuilong]

－　以錆ナイ鋼作之 藤原兼永　－　日本刀の通信販売　明倫産業 刀剣バックナンバー (nipponto.co.jp)

Another example. Watanabe Kanenaga is a big name.