Shadow_Frog Posted September 19 Report Posted September 19 Hello members of the Nihonto Community. Im interested in purchasing this example of a Japanese army sword. Im 20 years old and I am more familiar with firearms, but Ive always wanted a army sword from ww2. I found this in a shop out of town and was hoping to determine if it is genuine. I posted about this example on reddit and Imperial swords of Japan Facebook group. I was also informed to post it here and I doubt its real but if it is Ill be really happy to add it to my small collection. Thanks for your into and advice in advance. Mason.S 1 Quote
GeorgeLuucas Posted September 19 Report Posted September 19 Hi Mason, welcome to the forum! Looks like a real Japanese sword to my novice eye; albeit in rough condition. To help those to identify, can you confirm or deny that the yellow circled area is a stamp? Any chance you got a close photo of this area / mark? Cheers, -Sam 1 Quote
Conway S Posted September 19 Report Posted September 19 Mason, The nakago is signed Seki (location) Sakou Nobumitsu (sword smith name) Saku (made). Probably a Sho stamp. Conway 2 Quote
Shugyosha Posted September 19 Report Posted September 19 Hi Mason, If you put that name into the forum search engine there will be some other examples by this smith pop up, though with some variation in the signature. The stamp and the style of signature are completely in line with a WW2 blade made for the military. Military blades aren't my thing but you ought to check to see if there are any numbers on the fittings as these should all match, otherwise it isn't a complete set i.e. parts from another sword will have been swapped in. I understand this is important to some collectors of military blades and I'm sure that those who know better will be along shortly with some better advice. Quote
Gilles Posted September 19 Report Posted September 19 It seems to be a military shin-gunto from the end of the war. All the fittings are low grade and the blade is not traditionally made. The shark skin under the bidding of the handle is rhodoid, which was mainly used in 1944/1945. The nakago (tang) is signed but its black color is suspicious. On this tang there are two mekugi ana (holes) and the handle seems to have only one, it is possibly a sign that it is not the original blade. The scabbard was protected by a leather cover which is not here anymore. I see on the pictures 675 USD which is a bit expensive but that is my personal opinion. Quote
John C Posted September 19 Report Posted September 19 @Bruce Pennington Black fittings and saya... John C. 1 Quote
Shadow_Frog Posted September 19 Author Report Posted September 19 56 minutes ago, Shugyosha said: Hi Mason, If you put that name into the forum search engine there will be some other examples by this smith pop up, though with some variation in the signature. The stamp and the style of signature are completely in line with a WW2 blade made for the military. Military blades aren't my thing but you ought to check to see if there are any numbers on the fittings as these should all match, otherwise it isn't a complete set i.e. parts from another sword will have been swapped in. I understand this is important to some collectors of military blades and I'm sure that those who know better will be along shortly with some better advice. Excuse my ignorance but what is the manufacturer name for this blade and I will look it up. Also as long as its original wether its a mismatch or it all matches doesn’t bother me. Tho I couldn’t find any serial numbers on it but I also didn’t get to hold it myself. Quote
Shadow_Frog Posted September 19 Author Report Posted September 19 1 hour ago, GeorgeLuucas said: Hi Mason, welcome to the forum! Looks like a real Japanese sword to my novice eye; albeit in rough condition. To help those to identify, can you confirm or deny that the yellow circled area is a stamp? Any chance you got a close photo of this area / mark? Cheers, -Sam It is indeed a stamp and I do not have a better photo of it as the shop is 30 minutes away and my camera is kinda junk. Quote
Shadow_Frog Posted September 19 Author Report Posted September 19 1 hour ago, Conway S said: Mason, The nakago is signed Seki (location) Sakou Nobumitsu (sword smith name) Saku (made). Probably a Sho stamp. Conway Okay so if I got this right look up on this page. Seki Sakoi Nobumitsu Saku. In the markings tab? Quote
Shadow_Frog Posted September 19 Author Report Posted September 19 3 minutes ago, Shadow_Frog said: Sakoi Sakou SRY 1 Quote
Shadow_Frog Posted September 19 Author Report Posted September 19 44 minutes ago, Gilles said: It seems to be a military shin-gunto from the end of the war. All the fittings are low grade and the blade is not traditionally made. The shark skin under the bidding of the handle is rhodoid, which was mainly used in 1944/1945. The nakago (tang) is signed but its black color is suspicious. On this tang there are two mekugi ana (holes) and the handle seems to have only one, it is possibly a sign that it is not the original blade. The scabbard was protected by a leather cover which is not here anymore. I see on the pictures 675 USD which is a bit expensive but that is my personal opinion. What is a good offer it is a genuine sword, I understand its not that desirable and is in rough condition but I’ll probably only ever own 2-3 in my lifetime. Quote
Conway S Posted September 19 Report Posted September 19 Mason, Search " Sako Nobumitsu" and you will find many results pertaining to this smith, but not much information. Conway Quote
Shadow_Frog Posted September 19 Author Report Posted September 19 1 hour ago, Conway S said: Mason, Search " Sako Nobumitsu" and you will find many results pertaining to this smith, but not much information. Conway 1 hour ago, Conway S said: Mason, Search " Sako Nobumitsu" and you will find many results pertaining to this smith, but not much information. Conway Appreciate it Mason Quote
Bruce Pennington Posted September 20 Report Posted September 20 This is what Sesko has on him: "NOBUMITSU (信光), Shōwa (昭和, 1926-1989), Gifu – “Nobumitsu” (信光), real name Sakō Shin´ichi (佐光信一), born June 24th 1905, student of Kojima Katsumasa (小島勝正), he worked as guntō smith and died July 21st 1993, ryōkō no retsu (Akihide)" Waiting to see the small stamp at the top, but it's likely to be a Showa stamp, which puts this blade into the 1935-1942 date range (most likely 1940-41). A good many of his blades have been found in civil fittings, which might explain the 2 ana (holes) in this nakago, as it was obviously re-fitted during the war. Hard to put a dollar value, but $1,000 plus or minus a couple hundred is a good ball park, depending upon your budget. Quote
Kiipu Posted September 20 Report Posted September 20 The sword was refitted during the 1944 to 1945 time period for military purposes. The 昭 stamp is clearly visible and thus accounts for the second mekugi ana (tang hole). 関佐光信光作 Seki Sakō Nobumitsu saku. This sword is a textbook example of what is discussed in the article below. Note the poorly cast brass crossguard, the non-pierced iron? kabutogane. As indicated, it would have had a leather combat cover over the scabbard. I think the sword is worth the asking price. The Atsuta Factory & Military Swords 1 Quote
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