Survey of Gunto contract numbers

[george trotter]

Hi All,

As you know I am interested in gendai gunto of WWII.

In this area I have been accumulating some records of tang markings and contract numbers of the Yamagami brothers of Niigata, both RJT smiths, in order to get an idea of these small 1 and 2 man forging operation's output during 1941-1945.

So that I can obtain a greater sample, I wonder if members would mind providing some info on these swordmaker's swords in their collections?

 

The brothers were:

elder brother is Munetoshi ( pic munetoshi1 is early mei 1941-43 and pic munetoshi2 is later mei)

younger brother is Akihisa (his mei stayed the same).

Both studied under Kasama Shigetsugu and Akihisa got his "Aki" kanji from Akihide.

Kasama Shigetsugu managed the sale and distribution of their work from the North District Swordmakers Assoc shop in Tokyo.

 

What I need is a note about your sword which says the following:

Smith: Name?

Mei: tachimei or katana mei?

Kanji: in the case of Munetoshi, is "Toshi" no 1 or 2?

Stamps: Star stamp? Matsu in a circle stamp? Both? Which side?

Contract numbers: numbers present?...what are they? Do they have a Kana prefix to number?

Date: Date of sword?

Ana: 1 hole or 2?

Fittings: Type 98? Type 3?

Polish: Did polisher "sign" with lines? 6 lines or 7 lines...or?

 

Thanks guys. I know there may not be too many who have these swords, but it will help to have this info so I can maybe write a little article on this later.

Regards,

[cabowen]

George-

 

If your purpose is to obtain output, then the Fukushima book I have told you about would be a much easier and more accurate way to go about this. The book contains detailed production records that would answer this question (and many more)....

[george trotter]

Hi Chris,

Yes I have that book now and I find it helpful of course. In this case however, I am focussed on the Yamagami brothers and out of personal interest and curiosity I would like to check their output etc. I have swords by these smiths but notice that the production numbers don't stay consistent...they seem to fluctuate and this may be due to what?...the supply of tamahagane, charcoal...who knows. I will check the Fukushima book again but I am pretty sure this is a separate study which will be of interest to collectors with swords by these Niigata smiths.

BTW have you got any records for me?

Regards,

[cabowen]

I do not have any records of those two smiths as they are outside of Tokyo....I do not know why production varied but certainly the availability of raw materials must have played a role in the later war years.

 

I think I read somewhere that the RJT were asked to supply 10 blades a month.....

[Gilles]

Dear George,

 

I have one AKIHISA sword you mentionned. There is no date, mountings are type 44 high end, and there is a star stamp. I will send you the other details later on.

 

Regards, :D

[David Flynn]

George, I have a Munetoshi, signed as the first . I believe you saw it at the Sydney show.

[george trotter]

Hi Dave,

I can't remember seeing it or I would probably have noted down the markings (did I?)...if you get a minute can you give me details please?

Warm regards,

[David Flynn]

Sorry I've taken so long to get back to you George. My Munetoshi is the same as the one you have posted here after Akihisa. It is signed the same way as the one in John Sloughs' book,page 121

[george trotter]

Thanks David san,

Hate to be a pest...but can you tell me date and the tang numbers? is there a star and/or "matsu" in a circle stamp...thanks.

 

BTW...had a little bonus last week, my ebay purchase Munetoshi (3rd pic mei) in high quality Type 3 fittings and "matsu" stamp arrived, and when I took the tsuka off (2 screws) I found a Star stamp...what a pleasant surprise...wasn't shown in pics or mentioned in description...so, I'm very pleased.

It was rum and coke on the verandah that evening I can tell you! :D

 

Regards

[David Flynn]

Congratulations George. Th Munetoshi I have doesn't have a date, numbers or stamps. Just the 2 character signature.

[george trotter]

OK, thanks for checking David.

BTW...speaking of contract numbers, here's an interesting one for the Type 3 fittings... all seppa, the tsuba, fuchi, spring clip, saya guchi and get this, even the back face of the habaki are marked with the assembly number "i"403...I've never seen (or perhaps not noticed) a habaki numbered to the fittings/sword.

As an associated thing, I notice that the same is "celluloid", only the second time I have seen it. Other time also it was on on a RJT sword...wonder if it was considered an ultra modern advance in hilt binding, or was it a cheap substitute?

Gotta love the WWII gendaito....so many interesting aspects to the whole field... IMHO.

Regards,

[John A Stuart]

I have a shingunto by Kunihiro fitted out with a celluloid same. I had always thought it a poor substitute and due to wartime hardship in keeping a supply of rayskin to meet demand. John

[cabowen]

George-

 

There is an undated Akihisa on ebay now.....

[george trotter]

Interesting John, the celluloid certainly isn't common, so you do have to wonder.

 

Chris, Thanks...I'll have a look tomorrow...bed time for geezers here :lol:

 

Regards

[Daniel]

Hi George, I've also got a Gendaito with celluloid same a Nagamitsu wich is also in Type 3 mounts. Regards Daniel

[george trotter]

Hi all,

it looks like the response on contract numbers is limited to about 5...it is quite small but quite helpful...so thanks everyone. I must say, I thought there would have been a few more Munetoshi/Akihisa owners out there, but it seems they a not that common...if any members come up with additional contrct number info, please contact me on PM or however is convenient. I can say that I do not have enough data to make a judgement so far, so...maybe in time.

 

The discussion has broght up a point about celluloid same (high end tsuka fitting or cheap substiyute?). So that this topic isn't diverted into 2 or more subjects I will post a new thread on "Celluloid same of WWII".

Regards