Japan Japanese Naval Sword (I think)

[gardned]

Hello All,

I am helping a friend research this sword that his Dad brought back from WWII.

Unfortunately he has very little information as his Dad would never discuss the sword or the cirumstances under which he obtained it.

From what I have found so far this sword is a Japanese Naval Sword (Kai Gunto) and I dont think it was general issue due to the differences in inscriptions from other similar swords I have seen.

I have managed to take off the handle and get pictures of the inscriptions which I will post on this thread.

Apologies for the poor quality of the pictures but my DSLR is currently travelling around Asia with another friend.

I am totally wet behind the ears when it comes to researching swords but will add to this post as I learn more to help people in future and any assistance any of the community can provide will be gratefully received.

[gardned]

Please find attached some additional pictures... Unfortunately I can't remove the leather cover on the scabbard to show what is underneath.

[gardned]

Pics below

[Jareth]

I can't tell you much more then you already know. It's a WW2 kaigunto navy sword with protective leather saya(scabbard) cover. The blade MIGHT be an older blade. Are there any stamps on tang like an anchor or? If you PM me detailed, clear pics of blade signature I might be able to help find out the makers name & age of blade

[gardned]

Hello Jareth,

I unfortunately don't have any clearer pictures as the ones I have are the best I could take with the camera I currently have at my disposal.

I have also posted a similar thread as I have here on another forum and the person who replied seems to think the blade is 17th Century (Edo Period) due to the inscriptions.

I have done a search of blades in this era and the location of the inscriptions tally up with this information but won't know any further detail until they are translated.

I have a friend in Japan who is currently trying to translate and will post further details when I find out more.

In answer to your question the only inscriptions that I can see are those that I have posted and there are no anchor's present (I have checked thoroughly for this).

Thanks for your response and will keep you posted with developments.

[Brian Wolfe]

Yep, Kai gunto alright, the T'suba (hand guard) is a dead give away, it greatly differs from the army version which I think is the Shun gunto.

Good luck on the translation, please do post what you find out when the information arrives.

Regards

Brian

[gardned]

Hello All,

I confess to having signed up to one other forum and this is the response from someone who posted on there:

"With the field cover, this sword likely belonged to an Imperial Naval Landing Forces officer. It is late and my eyes are a little tired trying to read the bottom part of the signature, which is not sharp. It is an older Edo period blade made in Seki City, Province of Noshu. I will get the balance of the information to you tomorrow. From what I can see, it is a mid 17th century blade. Identifying the swordsmith will clarify that information."

As I find out further details I will continue to post on both and greatly appreciated everyone's knowledge and interest.... This is addictive stuff!!!

[Brian Wolfe]

I am always astounded at the information that comes back about Japanese swords. Let me explain. The leather covering is a field cover which simply means it was used to protect the scabbard when the officer was in the field. Whether he was a officer of a landing force or a post clerk is not known by the leather covering on a scabbard. The postal clerk remark was simply an example just so no one from another forum comes back with a long and drawn out reason why this could not have been a postal clerk. I know that. Sorry if I sound a bit "short" it is not intential.

I remember the NCO swords being sold that had wooden handles a number of years ago. Everyone said that they were Japanese Marine NCO Landing forces. Which was a load of nonsence as the wooden handle was used instead of the aluminum ones due to lack of aluminum for the purpose later in the war.

It's a lot like back in the day when every Japanese sword was taken off a dead Japanese Major by someone's uncle and brought back with blood still caked onto the blade. If every sword brought back belonged to a Japanese Major then their army must have been filled to the gills with Majors. Not to mention the stench of dried blood. These are basically urabn myths.

The sword you have posted is a great pirce of history and one I would indeed like to hear more about, Landing Forces Officer notwithstanding.

Regards

Brian

[gardned]

Hello All,

So my Japanese mate has told me that the inscription says that the sword was made in Noshu Zeki (Zeki City) by a sword maker called Ichimonji Minamoto Amahide.

This has now given me enough to go off and research further and came across these links: http://www.to-ken.com/full.php?article=sr000120&type=home and http://www.japanesesword.com/Images/Swords/03/103/103gendai1/amahide_gendaito.htm

These seem tor corroborate what he said as the inscriptions seem to match perfectly.

Very pleased I can delve deeper and now and try and find out some more.

Will post with further details as I get them and if anyone else has any information they want to chip in with please feel free