Bruce Pennington

Good one, Thomas! I've added this to the Stamps doc.

Dang, good observation Marvin!

Hi Nicholas, The Type 8/19 and Kyugunto have a variety of stamps that we have no reference for. I believe them to be shop stamps or logo of the manufacturers. The only known one we see is the Suya Shoten stamp in that location. The rest, like yours are unknown.

This is the liner of a gunto for sale HERE for an outlandish amount of money (35,000 Pounds). They say the liner states the sword was made for "LT.-GEN. MASAHARU HOMMA (THE BEAST OF BATAAN)". Thoughts? The blade is pretty lame, if you ask me. But .... They don't show the nakago.

"OH THE HUMANITY!!!"

Had to post this seppa cut from black lacquered ray skin! I regularly hear about folks making seppa from leather, but this is a first.

Dang. Thanks Ray!

Appreciate the help. Mei hard to read, but I THINK I got this one!

Another Mt Fuji habaki showed up and I thought it would be interesting to see the 3 I have on file together. Wondering why they all have the same two crevasses. Seemingly identical depiction of the mountain. Here is the only photo I could find showing more detail of the mountain, and I can see 3 points at the top. So, that must be what they are depicting.

Yes, the fittings look original. A good number of swords get pitting and stains at the end. It's most likely from water that got into the saya, causing corrosion. It was a known problem, back then. A couple of mods were created in an effort to keep water and dirt out. The early Police sabers changed latching mechanisms and the Army gunto tried the flip latch throat cover and the dust proof seppa. The Rinji seishiki (Type 3) usually came with the dust proof seppa: Obviously, they weren't always successful.

I have several of these, from this particular faker, on file with the exact same serial number. They used other numbers, too, but this one was their favorite number for some reason. So sorry, Susana.

Chansen, I checked my files and have what appears to be two Nobumitsu. One has a long mei and his blades are Showa and large Seki stamped. I think he is this one: NOBUMITSU (信光), Shōwa (昭和, 1926-1989), Fukuoka – “Chikushū-jū Sa Nobumitsu kinsaku” (筑州住左信光 謹作, “carefully made by Sa Nobumitsu from Chikuzen province”), real name Koyama Nobumitsu (小山信光), he was born on the 26th day of the second month Meiji six (明治, 1873) and studied under Fukuoka-Ishidō Koretoshi (是利), he lived in Chikuzen´s Ito (怡土), kihin-jōi (Akihide), Special Honor Seat at the 6th Shinsaku Nihontō Denrankai (新作日本刀展覧会, 1941) (see picture right) The other. like yours, used 2 kanji mei, usually with a large gap between them. His blades are all '44 & '45 made, and are Gifu & Na stamped. This is likely your guy: NOBUMITSU (信光), Shōwa (昭和, 1926-1989), Gifu – “Nobumitsu” (信光), real name Sakō Shin´ichi (佐光信一), born June 24th 1905, student of Kojima Katsumasa (小島勝正), he worked as guntō smith and died July 21st 1993, ryōkō no retsu (Akihide) Could I get a clear shot of that stamp at the top. It's likely a Gifu stamp.

Akira followed up, after I posted this, and also felt the kana's meaning on the blade might be different. Your idea sounds more logical, with it being on a star stamped blade. Mystery continues.

@Kiipu @BANGBANGSAN A recent discussion of the Toku stamp on a helmet on this Warrelics thread: Helmet Type 90, sheds light on the meaning of the stamp. Quoting Akira Komiya: "The letter “特” indicates “特別採用”, special acceptance, meaning it did not pass the ordinary inspection criteria but was nonetheless accepted for special reasons." As you read through the thread, he says he could not find specific criteria for failure to pass nor acceptable reasons for allowing the item through for use. Apparantly, this had been explained much earlier in a pinned thread of Nick Komiya's discussing helmets.

This guy just popped into my radar screen, but I don't know anything about him or his work. Might be worth checking. @Scogg might know more about him.

This may be true for nihoto collectors, but there are many who would appreciate that sword and likely would pay something in that price range for it. It seems shorter. Is it a waki (cutting edge less than 24")?

Ken, Good job removing the tsuka. Pretty easy, right? Since you didn't show the other side of the nakago, I assume there was no date. The larger Seki stamp was used by the quality control inspectors of the Seki Cutlery Manufacturers Association, a civilian trade group asked to weed out poorer quality blades from hurting the market's reputation. We see the stamps on blades made in 1940 - 1944, but most of them were made in 1942. So, you have a general idea of the age of your sword. You can read up on the kaigunto on this site: Navy Officers Sword - Ohmura Care and cleaning info: Japanese Sword Care - Japaneseswordindex.com

Hi Karl, I agree with all the above, and should say that I'm no expert on samurai swords (I study WWII swords), but I've seen a lot of both. I'll add to the list the cloth wrap (ito) is wrapped in the Chinese style - all twists in one direction, whereas Japanese ito alternates twist direction - and the blade has that lifeless look blades have when they've been made from one sheet of rolled steel, and the hamon (temper pattern) is artificially created. Additionally, the habaki (brass collar on the blade) is trying to look like a 2-piece habaki, but it's most likely just one piece.

Wouldn't surprise me if this was a wartime piece-together.

So, possibly both of these are tied to the buyer rather than the smith? I have that kuyomon on blades from 2 other smiths.

A 1939 Mantetsu Koa Isshin, in a thick combat saya with the "airborne", or Kite, sarute. But it went to a good man, so I miss it, but don't regret it.

Following. Would like to add this to the Stamps doc. Something I found searching, link HERE "Another interesting aspect of the Botan flower is its cultural significance. In Japan, the flower is considered a symbol of the samurai warrior class and is often depicted in art and literature. It is also associated with the annual Boys’ Day festival, where families display ornamental Botan flowers to celebrate the strength and courage of their sons. In Chinese culture, the Botan flower is a popular motif in embroidery and is believed to bring good luck and prosperity. ..... Additionally, in Japanese culture, the Botan flower is considered a symbol of wealth and honor. It is often used in traditional Japanese art and is a popular motif in kimono designs. The flower is also associated with the Buddhist concept of impermanence, as its beauty is fleeting and short-lived. In Chinese culture, the Botan flower is believed to have medicinal properties and is used in traditional medicine to treat various ailments."

I record them all and file them. So when you see some, please let me know via p.m. or on the arsenal stamps thread.

Thanks Ray! Didn't see the Reddit post, myself. Just getting it translated for the Kokuin and Seki stamp files.

Could I get a translation of this writing on the mune of a 1942 Kaneuji, please? Found by @When Necessary on Reddit. (Thanks D!)