Please help identify possible family sword in Guntō fittings

[MatsumotoKen]

Hello All,

 

I recently picked up this sword at a antique store. It looks to be a family blade in a earlier Guntō fittings. The signature is 肥前國住人藤(原) hizenkoku jyūnin fuji(wara)

The blade has a nicer hamon than a Guntō sword and it has a heft, width, and length that well exceed the Type 98 Guntō I have. So based on all of this I can semi-accurately conclude it is a family sword in military fittings. The tang also looks to be cut for this mounting as well.

Most interesting of all is the military scabbard cover which says:

海軍軍医大佐南里専一

第八海軍(病)院

-kaigun guni taisa(minamisato/nanri)senichi

dai hachi kaigun byōin

-Navy Doctor Captain Minamisato(nanri) Senichi

Eighth Navy Hospital

 

I am looking for anyone that can expand on the: date of the sword, possibly confirming the name, and any other things that can be shared.

I greatly appreciate all of the assistance.

 

Ken

 

[MatsumotoKen]

[MatsumotoKen]

[PNSSHOGUN]

That's a great find, the tag reminds me of swords surrendered on Rabaul and the 8th Navy Hospital may be related to the 8th IJN Fleet. Mei might be Hirosada: https://nihontoclub.com/smiths/HIR367

 

 

 

 

[Bruce Pennington]

Hi Ken!

You'll find more guys that can speak to sword era for you over at the NMB Nihonto Forum.