Military Sword with Shark skin Saya ?

Dogditcher · April 6

Any info would be welcomed on this sword -measures 25 3/4

and note attached says Kaneuji -Used Yasuki Steel,same smith as Oshi -Thanks

Dogditcher · April 6

rebcannonshooter · April 6

Hi Steve, the left side column reads "KO-KI NI SEN ROKU HIAKU NEN" (IMPERIAL RECORD 2600 YEAR ) 2600 years since the founding of the empire or 1940. The writing style matches an oshigata that I've seen for KANEUJI, who was known to use Yasuki steel. I'm having trouble with the right hand column it doesn't seem to make sense to me, maybe one of the better translators will help with that. He was a Seki smith, but this has a Showa Stamp, possibly because of its early date. (maybe Bruce can tell you more)

Additionally, the saya is beautiful, and quite rare for Army mounts.

Hope this helps, Tom

Dogditcher · April 7

Thanks Tom

I'm just amazed and appreciative of the knowledge here -

Forgot to include this pic -

Bruce Pennington · April 7

Steve,

Don't know how much you already know, so apologies if I'm giving too much.

Type 98 Japanese Army officer sword (gunto). You can read up on these on this site: Army Commissioned Officers Shin-Gunto - Ohmura

The red/brown tassel was used by Majors - Colonels

The saya cover is an upgrade, but we'll need closer, clear shot or 2 to see if it's shark or ray.

I have 10 Kaneuji on file with Showa and other stamps The Showa stamp was used by the civilian (not arsenal) Seki Cutlery Manufacturers Association who inspected blades for quality. They are usually non-traditionally made, but with good quality workmanship and hamon.

Dogditcher · April 7

Thank you Bruce

A closer pic of Saya

rebcannonshooter · April 7

Wow Steve! That saya is in such great condition, what a prize. I have a very large collection of swords in Army mounts, but so far Zero with ray skin. I'm jealous!

congratulations, Tom

mecox · April 7

Steve, looks a nice package. The smith is “Kaneuji” (兼氏), real name Yoshida Reiichi (吉田鈴市), born Taisho 14 (1925) January 13 and registered as a Seki smith Showa 13 (1938) September 9 (which is very early and possibly as a deshi? His father was as swordsmith). He is also listed in 1940 as a member of Seki Token Kaji Association (at age 15). In 1942 Banzuke of around 400 smiths he is listed as Ryoko no Retsu (7/7) but would only be age 17.

The mei with the date is a bit confusing, it could be read as "Ishii Iemori-to" ("sword of Ishii Iemori") that is the individual, or could be read "Ishii Ke Mamori-to" ("protection sword for the Ishii Family"). Possibly is the latter.

rebcannonshooter · April 8

mecox (Mal), thanks for helping with the translation of the right side of the tang. The date was easy, but I really struggled with this part.

Thanks, Tom

SteveM · April 8

3 hours ago, mecox said:

could be read "Ishii Ke Mamori-to

Yes, this is correct.

I would say the reading is: Ishii-ke mamorigatana

mdiddy · April 8

The 2nd mekugi-ana suggests the blade was re-mounted which is a bit of a rare thing for showato. Also, the blade is a bit - respectfully speaking - 'pedestrian' for this type of koshirae. Along with what looks like a crisp colonel's tassel, it might be worth kicking the tires to make sure everything checks out, e.g. nakago is not loose in the tsuka, habaki fits evenly in the saya, fuchi and koiguchi match, etc, etc.

Also, maybe it's just the angle, but the chisel strokes for the soemei look different from the rest of the mei.

Probably it's just the way it was, but worth a little extra due diligence since the koshirae elevate the blade and not the other way around. Just sayin.

Dogditcher · April 8

10 hours ago, mecox said:

Thanks for the information

I do not have the sword in hand but all the fittings and koiguchi seemed to fit well .I can take more pics if you would like just let me know of what.

I was told that there was also a belt or ribbon (his words) that was on the saya but was talked into selling it years ago.

A littlle back story -These swords are my father in laws. He getting older and hasn't looked at these in a few years.

So i have been pulling them out and letting him enjoy them as i clean and oiled also took some pictures not the quality that is needed to post here

and will be getting better pictures and post more up to learn and share.He gives a little info on them but i believe some is not correct and

perhaps repeating what he had been told. (Ex. he has some Manchurian blades that he said where from railroad tracks being ripped up and made. into blades but I think after researching they are blades from steel made from railroad company) Most of his blades are military.

I have ordered a few books but i believe the knowledge is on this forum and hope you don't mind if i keep on

submitting Swords for information .

Again Thanks to all

10 hours ago, mecox said:

Bruce Pennington · April 8

19 hours ago, Dogditcher said:

A closer pic of Saya

Yeah, that looks like rayskin. Ray dots are rounded. Shark are small diamonds, at least as I've read and been told.

4 hours ago, Dogditcher said:

he has some Manchurian blades that he said where from railroad tracks being ripped up and made. into blades but I think after researching they are blades from steel made from railroad company

Steve,

These sound like SMR Mantetsu blades! Do you know about Mantetsu? Please post photos.

PNSSHOGUN · April 8

Years ago a similar mounted sword was briefly in my possession. Had figured it was something good due to the special Koshirae, once the Tsuka came off it was a rather mundane Seki stamped Showato. Curiously it also had two Mekugi-Ana.