Identifying a place to have my sword restored in Southern CA

[KenB]

Hello, Like so many others on this site, I have recently acquired a Japanese Sword from a family member that has passed. I am overly confident that the sword is real since I also have the Joint Intelligence tag with the sword and my wife's grandfather was a naval officer in the pacific theater during ww2. It was not kept in the bast shape. I'm guessing Navy type Tachi Gunto Kikusui-tō "Minatogawa Jinja Masanao" from the 2 ashi (?) on the scabbard and similar cherry blossom details from internet photos. The scabbard has a leather(?) rayskin(?) cover with 6 button fasteners. The scabbard is broken 3/4 of the way down and it looks wooden. The blade has a sizable amount of surface rust on it. Since it represents a family member's history, it would be great to have the scabbard repaired, and sword reconditioned so that it could be displayed at our house. Is there any artisan's in Los Angeles County that could repair and keep it as historically accurate as possible? 

[PNSSHOGUN]

Hi Ken, we will need photos before any advice can be given. Your description doesn't quite make sense, as you described generic naval sword fittings, when a Minatogawa Shrine sword is something rather special. It will have a special Habaki with the Kikusui crest on it, along with the same crest on the Nakago above the signature. 

 

 

 

[Bruce Pennington]

I'm sure there must be someone that can restore your saya (scabbard), I've never heard it discussed.  There are a number of top polishers, but I don't think they are located in California.  

[Toryu2020]

You could try contacting Mike Yamasaki of tetsugendo.com he can help with the restoration. Jimmy Hayashi, the top polisher in the U.S. is located in San Francisco...

 

-t

[KenB]

Thank you for the reference to Mike. As stated, I’m guessing from internet photos and descriptions as to what I have and would obviously get confirmation from whoever I find to restore it. 

[KenB]

Pnsshogun, thank you for the article. The sword I have looks very similar to the one displayed in the article. I havent removed the hilt yet to verify but detail around the handle and saya are extremely similar. I’ll post photos over the weekend…

[KenB]

Here’s some photos. 

[KenB]

[John C]

Ken:

Any pics of the nakago?

 

John C. 

[KenB]

Hi John, no, I didn’t try to remove the tsuka. The mekugi looked wooden and was partially covered by the wrap on the tsuka. (Photos) I really didn’t want to damage by mistake and would rather a professional do the takedown. I am also very interested as well to discover what the nakago says…

[Shugyosha]

Hi Ken, 

You should be fine just pushing out the mekugi, just avoid contact with the tsuka binding. Something like a pencil on the small side and then something to pull on the larger side. Snipe-nosed pliers work. If it’s only a wooden mekugi then don’t worry: back in the day these would be replaced several times per year and wooden chopsticks can be whittled down to replace them. 

[Toryu2020]

 

[Bruce Pennington]

On 7/15/2024 at 5:37 PM, KenB said:

Kikusui-tō "Minatogawa Jinja Masanao"

That is quite specific information about the swordsmith who made this.  If you haven't removed the tsuka, how did you get the smith's name?

[PNSSHOGUN]

The lack of the Kikusui Mon confirms it has a very low chance of being a Minatogawa shrine sword. More likely to be a Arsenal sword.