Inherited katana

[Rick L]

Hi all - my father is passing and left me this sword, which he got from his father.  Grandad was in the occupying army in Japan after WW2.  A kind redditor pointed me this way, and said that the writing says “at the battle of Toishi, Naito Mitsumoto cleaved through a man and his horse”.  I’d love to learn more about it.

 

The forum won’t let me post all of the pictures; I’ll follow up with more.

 

  Thank you,

   Rick L

[Rick L]

[Rick L]

[Nihonto student]

Hello Rick,

check this old post.

 

[SteveM]

Q for Brian, any way we can fix the character glitches in the old post (Barry's post from June 2008)?

[Brian]

  On 4/22/2024 at 4:42 PM, SteveM said:

Q for Brian, any way we can fix the character glitches in the old post (Barry's post from June 2008)?

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That happened about 12 years ago when a server move corrupted all the kanji. There was no way to get it back. If someone is able to send me the kanji to replace, I'm happy to edit and replace it.

[SteveM]

Ah, OK. Got it. Probably not worth it. I figured there was some issue like this, because most of the really old posts are corrupted in the same way. I think the info from Moriyama-san and Morita-san is sufficient to figure it out in this case. 

[Scogg]

Wow, @Nihonto student, way to be quick with the search function! I'm impressed you found that so quickly 

Rick, my condolences, and I am sorry to hear about the passing of your father.

If your profile is accurate, being in Florida, you have unique opportunities to get your sword into the hands of some really knowledgeable people. 

There's a Japanese Sword Show in Orlando Florida this coming June. 
https://orlandoswordshow.com/

Best of luck, 
I like the looks of your sword,
-Sam

[Rick L]

  On 4/22/2024 at 4:31 PM, Nihonto student said:

Hello Rick,

check this old post.

 

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Wow - thank you!  This looks like the exact same characters, but with chalk.  B.Hennick said he was trying to help someone who's father got this blade during WWII.  I wonder if he was trying to help my father?

[Scogg]

  On 4/22/2024 at 5:18 PM, Rick L said:

Wow - thank you!  This looks like the exact same characters, but with chalk.  B.Hennick said he was trying to help someone who's father got this blade during WWII.  I wonder if he was trying to help my father?

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I think it's the same sword. 

To my eyes, it looks like the same tang (nakago) minus the chalk.

I wonder if @b.hennick is around and remembers this one

Cheers,
-Sam

[Rick L]

  On 4/22/2024 at 5:06 PM, GeorgeLuucas said:

Wow, @Nihonto student, way to be quick with the search function! I'm impressed you found that so quickly 

Rick, my condolences, and I am sorry to hear about the passing of your father.
 

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Thank you, Sam.  He graduated Annapolis in '65 and served two tours in Vietnam, and retired a Captain.  Raised three children, helped many people, and lived to celebrate his 80th with a surprise birthday party.  Diagnosed February with stage 4 pancreatic cancer.  Still in hospice, but unconscious since last Tuesday.

[Nihonto student]

  On 4/22/2024 at 5:18 PM, Rick L said:

Wow - thank you!  This looks like the exact same characters, but with chalk.  B.Hennick said he was trying to help someone who's father got this blade during WWII.  I wonder if he was trying to help my father?

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Rick forgive me I responded quickly because I was busy but without carefully reading your post...my condolences...the blade is definitely the same I hope Mr. Hannick can tell you more about the blade, maybe he also had the possibility of studying it personally. @GeorgeLuucas thank you but credit goes to g

Google...I was looking for info on Mitsumoto and...

 

Giordy

[Rick L]

  On 4/22/2024 at 5:46 PM, Nihonto student said:

Rick forgive me I responded quickly because I was busy but without carefully reading your post...my condolences...the blade is definitely the same I hope Mr. Hannick can tell you more about the blade, maybe he also had the possibility of studying it personally. @GeorgeLuucas thank you but credit goes to g

Google...I was looking for info on Mitsumoto and...

 

Giordy

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No need to forgive - you brought me a little joy finding an unknown connection with Dad.

[tokashikibob]

Sorry to hear about your father Rick.   That is a very good sword in my opinion,  very old and still carries length.   Often old blades have been really shortened too a much smaller size over the years.   Yours has not.     Did your Grandfather acquire it in occupied Japan?

[Rick L]

Thank you, tokashikibob.  Yes, my grandfather was an Army officer in occupied Japan, and a number of swords were surrendered to them. He had graduated from West Point and was going to be in the invasion force as his first action. The fanciest swords went to the guys who had seen action.

[Jon]

Sorry to hear about your tribulations..in regards to the sword, it looks like a blade that needs to be polished ( by an expert) and papered. It looks like a very nice Nihonto and a family heirloom to keep for the ages. If you can I think you may wish to do the following:

 

1) take the blade to a Togishi ( sword polisher)..make sure it’s a good one, depending where you are you should be able to find advice on this site. The Togishi will be able to give you good insight into the blade and discus polishing the blade. 

2) get a Shirasaya for the sword as  it’s being polished..you tend not to store swords in the everyday saya ( the black lacquer one you have at present). You can then also display the sword fittings separately from the blade, while the blade is safe and secure in a Shirasaya.

3)  Get the sword papered ( this is a way to have the sword formally authenticated ) this is important for blades with signatures as a large number of signatures are fake ( the Japanese have been faking signatures on swords for many many hundreds of years…so a 600 year old sword could have a 600 year old signature which is actually fake,).

 

As have a quick read up on sword care ( it’s basic but there are some do and donts and authentic Japanese swords can suffer rust damage quickly.

 

Also do not do any restoration yourself.

 

really nice sword your family has. Take care.

 

[Rick L]

Thanks, Jon.  Any advice on how to find a reliable Togishi in my area (south Florida)?  Also, does anyone recommend a site on sword care for an antique like this?

[Franco]

  On 4/30/2024 at 4:53 PM, Rick L said:

Any advice on how to find a reliable Togishi 

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A few thoughts since you are considering a full restoration. It would be wise to have the sword papered first to ensure that everything is proper before having this sword polished. Then, use this time waiting for a shinsa to both research which polisher to choose and reserve a spot with that polisher. You can "search" here on NMB for previous threads for names of recommended polishers. Generally, the polisher will line up a habaki and shirasaya maker as part of the process. Not all polishers are equal, so choose wisely.

 

Regards

[Scogg]

If you are able, attending the Orlando Japanese Sword Show could be very beneficial to you:
https://orlandoswordshow.com/

I think they are hosting NTHK Shinsa this year:
https://nthkamerica.com/

All the best,

-Sam,