rebcannonshooter

Hi John, I did inquire with the seller about additional info on the sword, unfortunately how it came to the US is lost to time. It would have been nice to have some additional provenance to link this to the general. He did have a son, but I couldn't find any history on him. It is also my understanding that this black wool knot was authorized for all officers in Meiji 45, and I am excited to hear that there is an example of a general officer carrying a sword in field grade mounts! I believe that this sword was an important possession of the general, and that he would continue to carry it. Tom

Sword of Lt. General Noguchi Kon’no I’d like to share some photos of an interesting sword I was able to acquire recently. The sword is housed in army Type19 field grade officer’s Kyu-gunto mounts, with a black wool, “German-style” sword knot with gold crown. The knot appears to be the type authorized in Meiji 45, and original to the sword when brought back to the U.S. The blade is a wakizashi, 21.25 inches long, rather straight, with a sori of only 3/16”. The hamon appears to be sanbon sugi, but with rounded peaks rather than the more typical pointed. Before purchasing it, I posted pictures of the nakago in the translation section of the NMB. Special thanks to Moriyama Koichi for helping with the translation and providing biographic info. Additional thanks to SteveM for his kind help with the horimono explanation (see the postings in the translation section). From the translation Moriyama-san provided: the sword was a gift from Akizuki Teijiro to Noguchi Kon’no in the spring of 1884 to celebrate the latter’s commissioning as an Army Second Lieutenant. (Dec 25, 1883). Akizuki Teijiro was a famous samurai who served the Matsudaira Clan. He was a senior commander of the Aizu forces during the Boshin War. Later in life, he became an educator and established a close relationship with Noguchi Kon’no, who was his protégé. Noguchi had numerous combat postings and promotions during the Sino/Japanese War. During the Russo/Japanese War, he was promoted to Colonel where he served as Chief of Staff of the Army’s 4th Infantry Division. He fought in the Battles of Oishibashi, Haichen and Shahe, and was seriously wounded during the Battle of Liaoyang. He returned to Japan to recover and was later promoted from Colonel to Major General in March of 1908. (Japan does not have the rank of Brigadier General like we have in the US). While a Major General, he commanded several different infantry brigades but fell ill in 1911. He was promoted to Lieutenant General in August of 1912 (Taisho gan-en) before being transferred to the reserve forces (retirement). The sword does not have the tortoiseshell handle that would be consistent with what a Major General would have carried during the 1908 to1912 time period (when he was of that rank). Nonetheless, I believe that this is, in fact, a sword owned and carried by the late Lt. General Noguchi Kon’no, IJA. The sword would have most certainly been carried by him while he was a colonel, but the presence of a Meiji 45 knot creates a conundrum. He was obviously a General when this knot was authorized, so does that mean this sword was still in active use? Would a sword in this furniture still have been acceptable for a general to carry? Anyway, I am honored to be the new caretaker of this sword, please enjoy the photos! I welcome all comments, corrections and speculations. Special shout out to Bruce Pennington, John (PNSSHOGUN) and Thomas (Kiipu), you guys have more expertise with Kyu-gunto and knots than I do, and I would love to hear your thoughts. Also, I would appreciate any evaluations from Nihonto experts of the blade itself, thank you. Any mistakes/errors are mine alone, and I attribute them to old age and too much alcohol in my youth. Respectfully submitted, Tom M.

Thanks, John and Steve; I knew there were some carvings on the blade when I bought it but didn't realize that they were kanji until the blade arrived, and I got a clear look at them. Since this was a gift from an elder statesman to a young 2nd lieutenant at the start of his military career, an apothegm like that would make perfect sense. Thanks again, Tom

Hi John, The sword is in beautiful field grade officer's Kyu-gunto mounts. I'm planning on posting an article about LT. General Noguchi Kon'no with photos of the mounts and sword. Wanted to make sure what the horimono were on the blade first. Tom

Hello all, two weeks ago I posted two pics of the nakago of a sword I was buying. Moriyama-san was able to translate the very interesting inscription for me. The sword arrived today! There are four horimono on the blade. I initially thought that they might be Bonji, but now I believe they are Kanji. One of them appears to be "Shu", "to protect" not sure what the others are. Any help would be appreciated, Thanks in advance, Tom

Moriyama-san, many thanks for your help on this! I know I speak for other members of the NMB in expressing our sincere gratitude for your help and expertise. Thanks again, Tom M.

Hi John, I'm thinking about buying it. Wife did not veto it, so moving forward trying to figure it out. Tom

Hi guys, I'm struggling with this sword translation. I've got Meiji 17th year spring 3rd month, below it "aki zuki?" something "mu mei" (which doesn't make sense). The other side appears to be a "gift" for a personal name??? Many thanks in advance, Tom

I also have purchased a sword from Yuji-san, he handled the export paperwork like a champ. He is just a great person with a passion for Nihonto that's contagious! If you are in Nagoya his shop is a must see, but be prepared to spend hours, there's a lot of swords and tsuba there.

Hi Dekabyu, I bought my KaneZane in 1980 from the old vet who brought it back. It was the second Japanese sword I ever owned and at the time I couldn't even translate the tang. (I think I paid $250 for it). I knew an old sword collector who translated the signature for me, I guess I got VERY lucky and got something nice. Later I bought Richard Fuller and Ron Gregory's book "Military Swords of Japan 1868-1945" they had published a letter from a collector who wrote to Asano Shinichi (KaneZane) and received an answer from him. I think that article really established KaneZane's fame, and showed just how much care he and his students poured into each sword. He spoke about his work as a swordsmith as being "the flower of (his) life" and a "fragile dream" that ended when the war was over. After reading that, how can you not be romantic about Japanese Swords? I really don't know the going price of KaneZane's swords, over the years I have seen quite a number come up for sale. (KaneZane stated that he was making swords full time for 10 years) As mecox alluded to, the sword is in good polish, the fittings look to be in great shape, so I think its a great example of a '98 with a tassel. But, it is more than likely not a traditionally made sword. Good luck with the purchase, buying from an unknown person can be nerve-racking! Tom

Hi Dekabyu, Yes this is an authentic KaneZane. It's a Nakirishimei for him just like Oshigata "D" in Slough's "Modern Japanese Swordsmiths 1868-1945". And, an almost identical copy of the signature on my KaneZane! Good looking sword and mounts look great. hope this helps, Tom

Hi Con, The third kanji appears to be "koto". I agree with you that the first kanji is "Minamoto" and, if so, the second kanji cannot be "Ju". There is a possibly that the second kanji is "Tomo". But...the name "Tomo Koto" seems very weird???? So I'm stumped too! Hopefully one of the better translators will weigh in on it. Tom

Hello David, This is absolutely a legitimate Shigetsugu signature! Do you own this sword, or are just doing some research? Search the posts, there was quite a discussion on a sword by him recently and compare. Tom M.

Thanks Moriyama san, Yes, that's my sword, a friend of mine years ago sent photos to an acquaintance of his in Japan to help solve the mystery. We believed that the dedication on the nakago was made by the same hand as the swordsmith's signature (not a later addition). And, that since it was "dedicated to the Kasuga temple by Mikawaya Jinkichi" my assumption has always been that it was GIVEN to the temple to reside there. Your post about the sword's possible owner has caused me to re-evaluate my thinking about its history. What is your opinion about it being given to the temple vs. just prayed over at the shrine? Additionally, maybe you or other members could comment on how common it was to put a name and address on a shirasaya? I'm beginning to wonder if Mr. Terashima put his name on the shirasaya (like Japanese officers did on their military swords) in false assumption/ hope? that the sword would be returned to him. Thanks again for all your help, Tom

Thanks Piers, The swordsmith was from Yonago, and from what I could find there's no current shrine there. Possibly there was one in the 1850's?? The closest shrine to Yonago seems to be in Tottori. But maybe being in Japan you have better ability to discover a former shrine located in Yonago. Thanks again for the help, Tom