mecox Posted December 16 Report Posted December 16 Colleagues I have updated a new version of Japanese Naval Swords WW2 Swordsmiths & Workshops Part 1. This 2024 paper is an upgrade of the 2021 version, it is reorganised with appreciably more examples but with some significant corrections. Of note is the issue of Naval arsenal stamps and some long held, but incorrect views, in particular in regard to the Toyokawa Arsenal in Aichi (this arsenal did not produce swords). If you have the 2021 version, please delete it and use this one. It was outdated and I hope any errors addressed. Part 2, is likewise being upgraded and will soon be uploaded. I found it all a rather challenging topic. cheers Mal 8 3 4 Quote
Brian Posted December 16 Report Posted December 16 It's in the download section, and is a considerable update from the previous one. Thanks go to Mal for all the effort he puts into these, as well as all those who submit articles or assist with the research. 1 1 Quote
Bruce Pennington Posted December 16 Report Posted December 16 I am just beginning to read it and can tell it's quite a substantial work. Thank you, Mal. Quote
PNSSHOGUN Posted December 17 Report Posted December 17 Great read Mal, look forward to Part II. One subject of Naval swords that remains a bit of a mystery is the Kaigun Jumei Tosho program. Some Gendai smiths they are noted as being both Rikugun and Kaigun Jumei Tosho, yet the Navy program appears to have far less information available. Has anyone uncovered a list, or details like stamps or specifications? 1 Quote
PNSSHOGUN Posted December 17 Report Posted December 17 Two Kai Gunto by Sakai Ikkansai Shigemasa, who was listed as KJT. There don't appear to be any extra marks or stamps on these swords, but one imagines they may have been made as efforts for the KJT? 1944: https://www.legacy-collectibles.com/022423-1.html Corrosion is obscuring the date, 1943?: https://page.auction.../auction/m1145423305 In my humble collection is a Shigemasa dated 1943 with special order for an army Lt Colonel, so it appears he was making swords for multiple branches/programs without any exclusivity. 3 1 Quote
mecox Posted December 17 Author Report Posted December 17 John , good to have these extra ones. Your 1943 Shigemasa is in shirasaya I guess. We have been tracking the KJT smiths, so far looks to be less formal that RJT and more facility based 2 Quote
Volker62 Posted December 17 Report Posted December 17 sorry John on your beautiful shigemasa I cannot read something about a Lt. Colonel? what I can read is, it was crafted for a Mr Iwase..... without a military rank and a surname... is it the same sword we were talking about? 1 Quote
Volker62 Posted December 17 Report Posted December 17 i know your blade that you are presenting here. an impressive work that I've rarely seen in such perfection of craftmanship inover 30 years! A work of art is the right term for this blade1 Tk's for sharing! Quote
Volker62 Posted December 17 Report Posted December 17 if I have missed something in my translation on your shigemasa,or misrated, please correct me.... Quote
Peter Bleed Posted December 17 Report Posted December 17 As I start to read - and absorb - this work, I am greatly impressed by the effort it has involved. This is serious work and a real contribution to sword history. Is anybody in Japan following, or absorbing, it? Peter Quote
PNSSHOGUN Posted December 17 Report Posted December 17 5 hours ago, Volker62 said: sorry John on your beautiful shigemasa I cannot read something about a Lt. Colonel? what I can read is, it was crafted for a Mr Iwase..... without a military rank and a surname... is it the same sword we were talking about? Hi Volker, yes it's the same blade; requested by Mr Iwase Takeshi. He was a Lt Colonel by wars end. Quote
Volker62 Posted December 18 Report Posted December 18 this is really one of the most beautiful Gendaito, I 've ever held in my hands congrat's John Quote
Brian Posted Tuesday at 09:48 AM Report Posted Tuesday at 09:48 AM I've just uploaded the new updated version of Part 2 of Japanese Naval Swords article. Huge thanks as always go out to Mal for his considerable efforts and for sharing with us. 5 Quote
PNSSHOGUN Posted Tuesday at 12:31 PM Report Posted Tuesday at 12:31 PM Hi Brian, can't seem to see it in the article list - only Part 1 shows up. Quote
Brian Posted Tuesday at 01:27 PM Report Posted Tuesday at 01:27 PM 54 minutes ago, PNSSHOGUN said: Hi Brian, can't seem to see it in the article list - only Part 1 shows up. Sorry, fixed now. 1 Quote
mecox Posted Tuesday at 09:47 PM Author Report Posted Tuesday at 09:47 PM The 2024 UPDATE of Part 2 is now uploaded. 4 4 Quote
Bruce Pennington Posted Wednesday at 04:01 AM Report Posted Wednesday at 04:01 AM Got it, Mal, thanks! I'm still only half-way through Part 1! I like your writing, and your research is incredible. Much appreciated! 1 Quote
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