Japanese sword information

[Adam D]

Gday 

I have received from my father handed down from his father a Japanese sword from WWII

my small understanding was that my grandfather was and engineer in the Australian army and he was tasked with building runways on some of the islands in the pacific. 
I believe he became friends with a Japanese soldier who was possibly a POW. 
This soldier gifted him his sword. 
I am looking for any information on it. 

[Ray Singer]

Please see below for information on this swordsmith. 

 

https://www.google.c...=mobile-gws-wiz-serp

 

[Ray Singer]

Asano Kanezane 

 

https://www.Japanese...dex.com/kanezane.htm

[rebcannonshooter]

Not to hijack this thread, but I've never seen a Kikusui engraved on an Asano Kanezane. Has anybody seen one before? I'm a fan of Kanezane ( I have two) and would love to see more. Bruce do you have any on record?

Tom

 

[Bruce Pennington]

Hi Adam!

 

You've got a gold mine of interesting (to me) stuff with that sword!  And thanks Ray for that last link.  It has a really good write-up on him.

First, the small stamp, just above the smith's name (mei) is the Showa stamp.  It is the inspection stamp used by the Seki Cutlery Manufacturers Association from 1935 to 1942.  Most blades with dates, and the stamp, were made in 1940-41.  So, gives you an idea of the potential manufacture date of your blade.  It was once believed that blades with the stamp were all showato, or non-traditionally made.  But a small number of them have passed Shinsa evaluation, which is only done on traditionally made blades.  So, the verdict is still out on that stamp.  From the write-up posted above, there is an example given of a blade, like yours, that had the stamp but was considered nihonto (traditionally made).

 

The kikusui, or chrysanthemum floating on a river, was a meaningful symbol. According Dan King, “A Tomb Called Iwo Jima,” the crest we know today as the Kikusui was the clan crest of a 14th Century Samurai, Kusunoki-Masa-sige , who fought to the death proclaiming “But that I had seven lives to give to the Emperor!” (at least the saying is attributed to him).  “The Japanese military used … the crest … as a symbol of devotion and self-sacrifice.  The Navy adopted Minatogawa Jinja as their sacred shrine.”  This blade is not a Minatogawa sword, but the symbol was likely put there for a special order.  I have one other blade on file made by him in April 1941, posted by @Hs132 with the same symbol.  Might indicate yours was made in the same year?  You can read more about them on this thread: Kikusui

 

The hotstamp, or kokuin, was the personal seal of Kanezane.  No one knows why smiths would use one on some blades and not on others.  

 

Finally, the tsuba, or handguard, is one of the styles we see on swords carried by the civil branch of the military - Gunzoku.  They wore uniforms quite similar to the military, and various levels of rank.  Yours is the Budo, or grape leaf, pattern:

 

Oh, and the emblem on the other side of the kikusui, is a bonji, or Buddhist writing that likely referred to one of their gods.  

Looks like the blade has received a few polishes over the years, partially wiping out the bonji and kikusui.

 

Great sword!

[Bruce Pennington]

You didn't show the other side of the nakago (tang), is there no date?

[Brian]

1 hour ago, Bruce Pennington said:

It was once believed that blades with the stamp were all showato, or non-traditionally made.  But a small number of them have passed Shinsa evaluation, which is only done on traditionally made blades.  So, the verdict is still out on that stamp.

 

No it's not Bruce. We know that Sho stamped stords are not fully traditionally made. That is accepted and set in stone. The fact that there are the occasional sword that slips through or the rarest of exceptions does not change that fact. Let's not go backwards.

[Bruce Pennington]

3 minutes ago, Brian said:

Let's not go backwards.

I understand.  And I often use more 'grey' language, than black-and-white, when the topic is something that doesn't have 100% documented proof.  I agree that both the Showa and Large Seki were put on showato.  I honestly think the ones that passed shinsa were probably made using traditional methods, but another steel other than tamahagane.  While I'm not expert at all, I cannot believe guys eye-balling a blade can tell the difference in steel.

[Adam D]

Thanks so much for the information. 
I have checked all over again and there is no date/ markings on the other side of the tang 

I have taken some more picks

[Bruce Pennington]

That's Ok, the majority of them aren't dated.  No idea why.  

 

The leather cover set is excellent!  Rare to have a complete set like this.  The loop on the top end of the tsuba (handle) would have been the place that the rank tassel was hung.

[mecox]

@Adam D   here is some further perspective on Asano Kanezane:

 

 

[Adam D]

Thanks again. 
I wish I had more information in regards to the original owner but I don’t.  I assume there is no way of finding this out as so many would have been made back then. 
out of interest what would something like this be valued at. ?
not that it will ever be sold. 

[Bruce Pennington]

They range from $900-1,400 USD, depending on your market, that may be different.

[Michaelr]

Adam, Great sword. If this is a start to you collecting, you have a better start than most. If this is the only sword that you are  the care taker of than it is something that you can be proud of. Thank you for sharing and Enjoy

  MikeR