Torokusho ?

[ankhearty]

Please help me understand what this registration paper (torokusho ?) is describing. I've circled in red the entries that were handwritten in ink on the paper. Everything else looks to be preprinted. The characters in the fifth column from the right I think is the name of the smith - Yoshi Tomo. The characters in the top of the third column from the right I think describe the type of blade - is it tanto ? The characters at the bottom of this column I think give the length of the blade - ? shaku, ? sun, and ? bun. The circled characters in the second and sixth columns have me really stumped. I'm having trouble attaching more than one picture to this post, so will have additional posts.

Thanks,

John Loughlin

[ankhearty]

Here's a full view of the paper front.

John Loughlin

[ankhearty]

This is a picture of the other side of the paper that I think explains the rules for handling of the blade and the paper.

Thanks,

John Loughlin

[Nobody]

It is a Torokusho issued in Kumamoto prefecture. The date may be Mar 31 in Showa 26th year.

[Bugyotsuji]

John it's a warning as to how you must keep the registration with the object at all times and what you must do if you lose anything. This must be returned to the Education Committee of the stated town/city.

 

An older example of a registration paper, the full regulations not yet being completely fleshed out at that time.

[DirkO]

Hi John,

 

You can find more info here:

http://www.jssus.org/nkp/japanese_sword_laws.html

 

It's a very informative article by Mr Guido Schiller (also a member here).

[ankhearty]

First, thank you for your replies! Greatly appreciated!

The number 317 entered in the second column - what does it signify?

"The date may be Mar 31 in Showa 26th year." Would this be 1952? If so, this would be the timeframe that my father bought the Tanto in or around Kumamoto. Does this mean that the torokusho was prepared at the time he bought it?

The entry "none" in the sixth column - none of what?

The shira-saya that came with the blade was marked with black paint indicating it is Tosa Yoshimitsu. A piece of paper is pasted to the other side stating in English "Possession authorized as an object of art."

I know! I know! Pictures! I'll post some in the sword section when I get them made.

Thanks again,

John Loughlin

[Nobody]

  ankhearty said:

The number 317 entered in the second column - what does it signify?

It is a part of the registration number.

 

  ankhearty said:

"The date may be Mar 31 in Showa 26th year." Would this be 1952? If so, this would be the timeframe that my father bought the Tanto in or around Kumamoto. Does this mean that the torokusho was prepared at the time he bought it?

The year is 1951. We can only say that the tanto had been registered in Kumamoto in 1951, maybe before your father bought it sometime somewhere else.

 

  ankhearty said:

The entry "none" in the sixth column - none of what?

There is no inscription on its ura-side.