Translate this name?

[george trotter]

Hi all,

Here is gunto mounter's name written in ink on the hilt of one of my WWII swords.

On the left of the nakago opening is the number 199 (also in western numbers on on all parts) and on the right of the opening is the mounter's name.

It looks like Oshima to me, but as there is some rubbing there, could it be something else?

Could some of our  Japanese speakers have a look and tell me their opinion please?

Thanks colleagues...

[Ray Singer]

I see Ojima (大島) here as well.
 

[george trotter]

Thanks Ray...I wasn't sure if I was seeing an extra stroke or two on the left side of the shima kanji.

Great stuff,

Thanks.

 

[Nobody]

Might be 大嶋 - Oshima

[Bugyotsuji]

As Nobody says, more than one way of writing Shima! 

[george trotter]

Thank you both.

I thought it might be Oshima as I 'think' I can see some strokes (yama?) on left of shima kanji - so, I think I will stay with Oshima.

Again, Thank you both.

[Ian B3HR2UH]

Hi George, I think a more likely explanation is that Oshima is the owners name rather than the hilt binders/ mounters name . I came across a Kai gunto where the name written on the wood under the Fuchi corresponded with the surname on the surrender tag that came with the sword.

Ian Brooks

[PNSSHOGUN]

It can also be the name of the Mon, if one is present.

[george trotter]

Ian and John, both interesting comments.

Ian...in this case the hilt marked Oshima is  on a sword marked to 2nd Lt KUME of the 32nd Div. IJA...surrendered Morotai Island....so the Oshima must? be a mounting shop name.

John...the hilt has a little ink shop logo? under the fuchi  (looks like a mon but is not a hanko, it is rubber stamped ).

Regards,

[John C]

  On 5/27/2023 at 2:04 PM, george trotter said:

Ian...in this case the hilt marked Oshima is  on a sword marked to 2nd Lt KUME of the 32nd Div. IJA...surrendered Morotai Island....so the Oshima must? be a mounting shop name.

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Thank you guys. I am interested in this topic. But could "Oshima" have sold or given the sword to Lt. Kume? That would mean Oshima could still be the original owner, although I think in any case it was put there by the shop - either as their name or the name of the person who ordered it. 

Just thinking out loud,

John C.

[PNSSHOGUN]

In that case it does seem more logical for it to be the name of the shop or Tsuka Shi. 

[george trotter]

Yes, an "unanswerable" question. This is another matter for Bruce to ponder....

[Bruce Pennington]

  On 5/28/2023 at 2:29 PM, george trotter said:

Yes, an "unanswerable" question. This is another matter for Bruce to ponder....

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Ha!  Hey, I just log them into the files AFTER you guys do all the heavy lifting!!!

[george trotter]

No Bruce, you do good work - always appreciated.