Surrender Tag interpretation.....please.

[dbcolts]

I'am really new to the Japanese Swords and have no experience in this area. Even though I've been in the arms business for 40 years. U.S. military and Colt arms my specialy. Just recently I acquired a large and older WWII Japanese arms collection from a long time friends estate. It was assembled circa 1950's to 1970's. There were 14 Japanese swords and one dagger. He was a US Marine and focused on the South Pacific War. I would appreciate any help in understanding and learning their history. I have a few books....which only lend to confuse me even more....LOL. Yes....I'm a novice and just know enough that it really perks-my-interest to learn more.

My first question is interpretation of a "surrender tag". After reading a little about these....it seems to me that it give the sword a real personality.

[John C]

You may want to post this in the translation assistance forum.

BTW, aside from this kai gunto, what else was in the lot? Was the dagger also navy?

 

John C.

[SteveM]

It's a location and a name (presumably of the owner)

 

Iwakuni city, Ushinoya

OKIHIRO Takuji   (Okihiro is the family name, Takuji is the given name)

 

 

(wrote this just as John C. posted the above)

[PNSSHOGUN]

Hi Steve, could there be possibly another reading for this name?

[SteveM]

This one feels pretty straightforward, with not much room for variation.

沖廣卓爾　OKIHIRO Takuji,   

[PNSSHOGUN]

Thank you Steve, couldn't find any mention of this officer in the list of Etajima graduates. He may have been from the IJN air service.

[Bruce Pennington]

David,

We're all sword nuts here, so would you share some shots of the blade, and especially the nakago (tang), both sides?

 

And as John said, this is a Kaigunto, or Type 97 Japanese Navy Officer sword.  Nicely upgraded saya (scabbard) with eel skin or shark skin.  I'd guess shark by the limited photos.

[dbcolts]

Thank you everyone for the information that you've provided. You are all a valuable source on the original Japanese swords.....which I'm sure ya'all know. I'll also post more pictures of this Navy sword....once I get them taken and proofed. Again thanks. I will be posting the collection that I bought, as I take more pictures. And, yes I know....details are necessary. I was in the US military small arms field for over 35 years.....especially the Colt automatic pistols. And have quite a bevy of photos...over 10,000. Here are some random photos I took of the collection I acquired. I purchased it mainly for the firearms and bayonets. And the swords were ancillary. 

[dbcolts]

I've taken some more pictures of the Navy sword. And the tang is marked on both sides...as pictured. Is there anyway to date the sword?

[dbcolts]

I also notice that the parts/components are all numbered the same....."36". 

[Kiipu]

兼道 Kanemichi.

昭和十八年二月 1943 February.

[PNSSHOGUN]

This would likely be Kojima Kanemichi, the lack of any stamps would point to it being traditionally made.

[Mister Gunto]

Looks like a really fantastic collection! 

[dbcolts]

On 12/21/2023 at 4:19 PM, Kiipu said:

兼道 Kanemichi.

昭和十八年二月 1943 February.

Thank you, have a blessed Christmas, David

[dbcolts]

On 12/21/2023 at 4:21 PM, PNSSHOGUN said:

This would likely be Kojima Kanemichi, the lack of any stamps would point to it being traditionally made.

Thanks you so much....have a blessed Christmas. What does "traditionally made" mean? David

[dbcolts]

46 minutes ago, Mister Gunto said:

Looks like a really fantastic collection! 

Thanks, but its actually a collection I'm selling for the family. No prices on the swords yet. I also have 40 bayonets.

Have a blessed Christmas, David

 

[dbcolts]

On 12/21/2023 at 4:21 PM, PNSSHOGUN said:

This would likely be Kojima Kanemichi, the lack of any stamps would point to it being traditionally made.

Thank you so much....Have a blessed Christmas, David

[Bruce Pennington]

37 minutes ago, dbcolts said:

What does "traditionally made" mean?

To qualify as “traditionally made“ a blade has to be made out of a special Japanese steel called tamahagane, hammered and folded, then water quenched.  Many blades during WWII were made of other steels, and/or were oil quenched.  Traditionally made blades tend to have more artistic qualities and hold a higher price on the market.