'Late 1944' style Shin Gunto Help

[GEdwards]

Hello all,

 

I have recently started doing research on what appears to be a Late 1944 style Shin Gunto. The only history I have on the sword was that it was brought back to the US immediately following WWII by my grandfather who was a Staff Sergeant in the US Army. This sword has been passed down from my grandfather to my father and now to myself. I have no desire in selling this sword. Having respect of the culture that created it and appreciation for history, I would like to learn as much as I can of this sword so that I can provide it and the knowledge to my sons later in life. I can safely state that the sword has not been restored since coming to the US and has mostly been stored in closets since coming into our possession.

 

I have taken pictures of the tang and attached them here for any help anyone can provide. Not being familiar with the writing, I have had a very hard time figuring out the mei signature or the date. Some characters are easily identified, but most are not. To be honest, besides from part of the date and the last character meaning 'saku', I've been unsuccessful at deciphering the signature and date. It does however bear the Jumei Tosho stamp (star).

 

One thing to note on the mounting, although my understanding through research is that this style has two screws (mekugi) holding the same? to the tang, my particular blade only has one present. There is a second hole, but it does not appear that it ever had a screw in it. I do not know if that is significant or not, but an observation.

 

I apologize for some of these pictures as my wife currently has our good digital camera. However, I can provide additional photos if needed or desired.

 

Thanks in advance and I truly appreciate any help that can be provided.

-------------------

Geoff Edwards

 

 

Overall Album:

http://s740.photobucket.com/albums/xx42 ... n%20Gunto/

 

Direct Pictures:

http://i740.photobucket.com/albums/xx42 ... 00139a.jpg

http://i740.photobucket.com/albums/xx42 ... 00137a.jpg

http://i740.photobucket.com/albums/xx42 ... 00134a.jpg

http://i740.photobucket.com/albums/xx42 ... 00133a.jpg

http://i740.photobucket.com/albums/xx42 ... 00130a.jpg

http://i740.photobucket.com/albums/xx42 ... 00128a.jpg

http://i740.photobucket.com/albums/xx42 ... 00126a.jpg

[Grey Doffin]

Hi Geoff,

The date is, "Showa Ju Ku Nen Shichi Gatsu Hi". A day in the 7th month of Showa 19, July 1944.

The signature isn't as easy for me. Something Tomokane Saku? Maybe.

Grey

[John A Stuart]

遠藤朝也作 Endo Tomonari Saku. I am not sure about the final kanji being 'nari'. John

[k morita]

Nice star stamped tang.

This sword smith(ENDO Tomonari) won 5th seat on New Sword Exhibition(1941), and he lived in Hyogo- prefecture.

[GEdwards]

Thank you very very much for the quick responses. It gives me goosebumps knowing the name and general date of the making of this blade! If anyone has any more information on Endo Tomonari, I would love to hear it.

 

Another general question if I may: is this a machine made blade? The 21 stamp on the edge of the tang is why I ask this question. It looks like it has a hamon which has me confused on the type of manufacture.

 

LOL, yes...I am one of those types that want to know as much as possible. I've read a lot recently on these types of swords but definitely only enough to make myself dangerous....

 

Geoff Edwards

[george trotter]

Hi Geoff,

You are lucky, your grandfather "captured" a nice, handmade blade (certainly by a known gendaito smith). As John and Morita san said, this is Endo Tomonari of Hyuga ken, who made swords for the army. I looked him up for you, since you are a "research-a-holic"...as most of us are.

Ono in Gendai Toko Taikan 1971 p.125 and in Gendai Toko Kinko Shiotsukata Soran 1977 page 103 discusses him.

His name is Endo Sei?ichiro and he usually signed Shi or yon?man?sai Tomonari, but when making swords for the army he signed Endo Tomonari.

He was born in Meiji 34 year/7 mo/25 day. His father was a swordsmith named Miyano Yoshimitsu and his grandfather was Miyano Heijiro Yoshisada, a swordsmith at the Minatogawa Jinja sword forge in Kobe.

From Sho 14 he made/began swords...in Sho 16 he worked a month with Kurihara Hikosaburo Akihide in Kanagawa. He made swords in Osaka. He was associated with the for the Hyogo forging association. Between Sho 14 and the end of the war he entered the Newmade Swords Exhibition and was chosen 2nd seat in the 6th (1941) exhibition. He began swords again in Sho 40 and was still living in 1977...he lived at Mikishi, Fukui.

Your mounts are commonly called '44 Pattern, but actually were introduced in Koki 2603 (1943), therefore, the correct term is Type 3 mounts (second peg hole often not used).

Your sword and mounts are good quality , you have your family history...write it all up in a file with pics, names, dates, locations...it is a family treasure...enjoy it and pass it on.

Regards,

George.

[george trotter]

oops...Hyogo ken, not Hyuga ken...sorry...old age...I caught it from Stephen :-)

Geo.

[k morita]

Hi george,

 

E-mail sent, Okishiba Yoshisada's oshigata.

 

Kiyoshi Morita

[Stephen]

 

eh? whats that you say?? :lol:

[GEdwards]

Thank you again! This is beyond expectations and I can not tell you how amazing it is to me to have this information from such a simple start.

 

Thank You all for your help!

Geoff Edwards

[IJASWORDS]

Why am I going back to a 2010 subject? Well picked up a star stamp Endo Tomonari. And as I do, tried to find out as much information as I could. Low and behold, I found this old thread describing a July 1944 example. Unfortunately the photobucket images would not open. 

I wonder if this is the same sword, or was old Endo prolific in July 1944? 

George's information was great, so helps with my cataloging.  

 

 

[Bruce Pennington]

This is precisely why I've started saving/re-posting pictures when guys only post a link to a set of pictures.

 

Interesting ito, Neil. Seems to be laquered canvas?