Satsuma

Here is a nicely polished honest highly rated wakizashi which I just aquired that got Tokubetsu Hozon in Heisei 15. The dealer who orginally got it as you can see from the papers, took a chance and just submited the sword before polish hoping it would be right as this maker is frequently faked. However, it turned out fine as a good example of swords made by Motohira before his Yamato kami title in 1789. Enjoy!

In September 1945, the Japanese in French Indo China surrendered to Lord Louis Mountabatten, South East Asia Command and Mountbatten directed General Gracey, 20th Indian Division to occupy Hanoi until the French could set up their administration. Now, in 1940, the Japanese annexed and occupied Indo-China and because the French surrendered in 1940 and became Vichy under that famous French victor of the Great War, Marshal Petain. By mid 1945, the Japanese in French Indo China saw the writing on the wall and the French started to organise resistance to the occupier. One of these were a group nurses who were later caught by the Kempeitai and roughed up until 2nd September 1945. In March 1946, on the farewell of General Gracey and his 20th Indian Division, he ordered the Japanese garrison officers and NCOs to surrender their swords. These nurses and members of the resisitance witnessed the surrender and each one from the hand of General Gracey. There are several photographs to be gotten of this event by writing the IWM and asking for their photographic division. There is one photo of this event incidently in Fuller and Gregorys book, the Military swords and dirks volume. Hope this information helps. James

It seems that the nakago has not been damaged badly.....difficult with the current level of photo. James

I think its quite charming. One must not forget that Akihide had Kasama Shigetsugu train these students and were amateurs and fresh off the boat. I would not knock it or him for this. This sword was made during the war by a twenty year old something.......not at all a bad effort. James

I just got two swords back from Japan to my home here in NY by EMS. They came by ANA.

Someone posted this piece somewhere else on this forum but I thought I would bring up again for interests sake. JSA as of right now has a saiha; burnt; blade on auction and I would think because Rai Kunimune are extremely rare a positive aspect about getting this piece and it seems that no one will take it because of the above, is that the mei and deki could studied as original to the piece. These were not harmed when the sword got burnt. The NBTHK had validated it and that in itself I think is extremely important. I hope some on NMB decides to get it. It would be an excellent piece. James

Thank you. You've just answered my question. Fukushima

Thank you both. However what school did he belong to or to put in another way, what lineage did he spring from? Fukushima

Does anyone have any information on this fittings maker? I put his full kanji name above. I believe he worked c. 1850 but I know nothing else about him. Any information gladly welcomed.... Thank you Fukushima