Bruce Pennington

Hamfish, I like your theory. And while I agree the RJT smiths were to use tamahagane and traditional methods, it doesn't explain your observation of the blades with a Star and no arsenal inspector stamp. Theory - what if they were for a custom order, and didn't go through the arsenal? Another question is why are there small and large Seki, but only small Na for Nagoya? Anyway, Here's some shots of the blade on my Star/small-Seki stamped Kunitoshi, in Type 3 fittings. I don't know nihonto, so maybe you guys can tell if it's gendai or not.

Found this Star-stamped blade with a "Kuma" double-stamped on the mune, from a blade owned by Raymondsinger, posted on the Arsenal Stamps thread.

Neil, do you have an idea as to whether the dimpling was done by hand, or was there a mold that they were mass produced in?

That’s great, thanks!

Dang, Hamfish! That's the first actual example of the Yamamoto Stamp I've ever seen! Any idea of the meaning of the "Mizutani"?

Very interesting! Haven't seen one like that before. With the mon on the tsuka, I'd say this was an expensive custom job.

Very nice one!!! Sharkskin upgraded saya cover. Brian, seems to have a hamon - think it's more than the standard blade?

I like it. If I buy another sword for my collection, it’s going to be something like that.

From the sword-making side of the story, this is very interesting! Amazing what people can achieve under almost any circumstances. The article was almost ruined for me though, having to read his skewed race-based view of history. He igorantly claimed that it was only Asians interred during the war. We know that there were Itallians and Germans interred also. He also, naively or ignorantly, claimed the internment was driven by racism and economic reasons "These wartime imprisonments were an extension of the racism and economic opportunism that fueled White special interest groups’ desire to eliminate competition". WOW. Couldn't have POSSIBLY been for fear of spying during a WAR?! It blows my mind to see otherwise sensible and responsible people who are blinded by their own racism.

Max, Most of your questions are out of my area of study, but I can help with this one: http://www.nbthk-ab.org/Etiquette.htm- on cleaning, handling, repair, etc.

Malcolm, fabulous video!!! Thanks for that. Head worked out fine, but I was a bit nervous about re-reading what I had posted the day before! HA!

Wow! What do you make of it? Think is was brought in by the USN when Japan was modernizing, and stamped by those accepting it? I guess it would help to know what the kanji says.

Got to spend 4 days in Melbourne, back in the '80s, on an AF trip. We brought an airplane full of Budweiser for our Ausie AF buds and (which they loved for some strange reason!) and we drank everything they had to offer. We must have done some flying in those 4 days, but I don't remember it if we did!!!

So ... you're sayin' I'm on the right path with my drinking?! HA! Yes, AussieLand does seem to be a repository of good swords and good men!

One thing I love about alcohol, is that after 2 shots on an empty stomach, I'm able to tap into that emotional side that isn't easily accessable under normal circumstances. So, today, it hit me how much I really am blessed with a vast array of freinds from all over the globe. In pursuit of this hobby, I've met people, thanks to the internet, that are becoming a regular part of my life, and whom I really enjoy "hanging out" with. I'm humbled to have casual conversations with Famous People like Nick Komiya, Bob Coleman, and Chris Bowen (I know .... they're just dudes like the rest of us, but REALLY good at the sword-thing), and honored to be a part of this large group of collectors. I'd name names, but I'm afraid I'd miss someone and hurt somebody's feelings. So to all, I appreciate your companionship and your love of the hobby & craft. Too often, we wait until the funeral to talk about people in our lives that mean something to us. So, just in case I get hit by the proverbial Truck tomorrow -- I really love you guys (OK, I SAID IT!!!) [Note to self: If I DON'T get hit by the Truck tomorrow, be sure to edit this post with more tough-guy talk]

Matt, it’s not uncommon to see non-matching sets. As to no number at all, I have a copper-handled 95 whose saya has no numbers. It’s the right saya for a copper and a perfect fit. No way to know how that happens, but my theory is battle damage to the original saya, and factory or field repair team replaced.

Brian, That IS causing a lot of confusion for many people. PLUS, there are "small" and "large" Seki stamps that appear on the nakago like this one on a current thread: http://www.militaria.co.za/nmb/topic/25216-n%C3%B4sh%C3%BB-j%C3%BB-kanetoshi-%E6%BF%83%E5%B7%9E%E4%BD%8F%E5%85%BC%E4%BF%8A-star-and-seki-stamp-on-the-blade/ This one is unusual because it is on the "date" side of the nakago

I would like to re-open this discussion. I've recently seen blades that were appearently gentdaito, but with a large Seki stamp above the smith's name. There are also a few Star-stamped blades with small Seki stamps (mine is on the nakago mune, and another I've seen recently was put on the "date" side of the nakago). The discussions are evolving to claim that one size Seki is found on gendaito, while the other size stamp is on non-traditionally made showato. From my observations and reading, I believe the issue is messy because of the history of the stamp. Originally, it was used by the Seki Swordmith guild. It was later hyjacked by the Kokura/Nagoya arsenal inspectors for non-traditionally made blades. So, as I understand it, there are blades out there from both groups. The question remains- is there definitive evidence to indicate one size is from the Guild and the other from IJA arsenals? My starting hypothesis is: Large Seki stamp - guild stamp; possible gendaito. Small stamp: COMPLICATED - small stamp on "name" side for showato, but anywhere else (like on Star-stamped blade nakago mune or "date" side) for gendaito. Thoughts/examples guys?

Tommy, The handles can resist coming off. The seppa (spacers on both sides of the handguard) sometimes are fitted really tightly, or corrosion/dirt can build up causing a resistance. Either way, you won't harm the fittings by convincing them to come off. I start by grabbing both sides of the handguard (tsuba) and try rocking it one side, then the other. If that doesn't work, tapping with a rubber mallet always does the trick.

Klaus, The Seki stamp, to me, is the most confusing one of them all. The Seki group of smiths started out as a "guild", to use the english word and were using this stamp. I have not read HOW they were using it (gendaito/showato/etc?). But once the military arsenals hyjacked it as an instpector stamp, things got messy. They guys above, seem to have the system down, and it fits what we are seeing on some blades, like the one in your link. I have a Star-stamped Kunitoshi with a small Seki on the nakago mune. The one in your link is peculiar, as the Seki is on the "date" side of the nakago. Maybe small Seki stamps anywhere BUT on the "name" side is a guild mark? where a large Seki on the "name" side is a military inspector mark indicating non-traditionally made? Seems to fit.

Kaka (interesting name in Spanish!), There is a "Seki" stamp above the mekugi hole, so it's made during WWII. If there is not date kanji on the other side, the exact year is a guess, but yes, probably 1940 or later. The Seki stamp appears to be the larger size. A small one means the blade is made in a non-traditional way, but the larger ones can be found on traditionally made blades. No guarantee, though, on that issue. Either way, you've got a nice WWII Japaese officer sword there!

Neil, my good man. I can see that this inconsistancy is troubling you greatly! In a totally selfless act, I propose you mail one of them to me, thereby removing the conflict and sparing you this suffering. Hurry, we don't want this to affect your health!!! In the meantime ... I certainly don't know the answer, but wanted to comment on the unusual kuchigane of the top one in the 3rd photo. Lends to your idea that there was a certain tolerance by acceptance inspectors for certain amount of variation. But back to your fretting ... you have my address, right?!

That is identical to one pictured on pg 76 if Dawson. He says “it was not uncommon on military swords” and “a personal preference with no other significance.”

Love that Type 3! Unusual leather wrap on the saya! You can see just from the curvature of the blade/saya that there is something special inside.

My guess is that the soldier wearing this had gotten some much unwanted attention! Wonder if he faired any better than the gunto did?!