WWII translation

[JEE]

First I want to say Hi to everyone. This looks to be a really cool place, been lurking for a few days.

 

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

 

I have a WWII Japanese sword that I purchased years ago and I'm just now trying to get some info on it.

 

I think I have it fairly accurately translated, but it wasn't on a sword message board so I thought I'd come to the experts and get it verified.

 

Pictures first then what info I've been able to acquire.

 

 

 

 

 

 

昭和十九年六月 (showa jyu nen roku getsu) = year 19 of showa era, June.

June 1944

信光 : Nobumitsu

In red : 二九六 〇 = 2960

 

What do you guys think?

I'm guessing, but do you think the red paint would just be for inventory purposes?

Also on the JSSUS site I found this.

Nobumitsu

信光

Chikushu ju Sa

1926

Is there any other information on this guy? I don't have any pics of the blade and fittings at the moment, but will put some up if there's interest. Everything looks in pretty good shape to me.

 

Thanks in advance.

[Mark]

the painted numbers are "assembly numbers" used when a sword was assembeled at a "factory" to keep all the parts together

[outlier48]

Hi Jason,

 

Check out Rich Stein's oshigata for Nobumitsu (Chikushu) at http://home.earthlink.net/~ttstein/index.htm

 

Charlie Brashear

[Basho12]

I'd also check Nobumitsu(s) 3 and 4 at the link above. They both look like nakarishi mei by the same cutter.

[JEE]

Thanks Mark for the info.

 

Charlie thanks for the link I used that site to kinda verify what some others have given me.

Any links telling who he was or any details about his work.

 

I'm pretty sure this sword isn't traditionally made. I've looked really closely and as bad as I would want it to be I really doubt it is.

[outlier48]

  Basho12 said:

I'd also check Nobumitsu(s) 3 and 4 at the link above. They both look like nakarishi mei by the same cutter.

 

Don't see a link on my screen

 

BTW - I don't think the oshigata on Rich Stein's site matches this mei.

 

Charlie Brashear

[Basho12]

I just meant the link you'd already referenced. There are some differences, but both of the ones on Rich Stein's site (Nobumitsu 3 &4) look like they were cut by the same person who did the mei on this sword.

[outlier48]

  Basho12 said:

I just meant the link you'd already referenced. There are some differences, but both of the ones on Rich Stein's site (Nobumitsu 3 &4) look like they were cut by the same person who did the mei on this sword.

 

Can't seem to follow my own train of thought. Concur that it resembles Nobumitsu(4) much more than Nobumitsu(5).

 

Charlie Brashear

[cabowen]

This is not Sa Nobumitsu.....

[Basho12]

  Quote

This is not Sa Nobumitsu

 

Definitely not.

 

I'm leaning toward Seki Sukemitsu Nobumitsu (Slough p 135), but don't go by me. My track record isn't the best. :?

[JEE]

Thanks guys for your help.

 

Does the rest of the translation seem correct?

 

I have some more pics of the rest of the sword, I have to get them uploaded first though.

[Rich S]

There is an oshigata of Sukemitsu/Nobumitsu (nakirishi mei) on my website at:

 

http://home.earthlink.net/~steinrl/promei.htm

 

Rich S

[Basho12]

Interesting comparison on the nakarishi mei(s) on Rich S's link, and importat to note how the same cutter who was doing Nagamitsu's mei was also doing the signatures on plain Showato as well.

 

I think the date translation is spot on: June 1944 (Showa 19, sixth month)

[Rich S]

  Basho12 said:

Interesting comparison on the nakarishi mei(s) on Rich S's link, and importat to note how the same cutter who was doing Nagamitsu's mei was also doing the signatures on plain Showato as well.

 

I think the date translation is spot on: June 1944 (Showa 19, sixth month)

 

With due respect, I don't think the Sukemitsu/Nobumitsu mei were done by the same hand as Nagamitsu's. While there may be a slight resemblence, the mei are basically quite different. Remember a lot of Nagamitsu and Emura blades were signed by students.

 

Rich S

[Basho12]

Obviously I need to look at them again.

[Rich S]

Also remember that Nagamitsu and Emura worked in Okayama while Sukemitsu/Nobumitsu worked in Seki. So I really doubt they would have had the same person carving mei.

 

Rich S