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滿鐵 若林重次 Wakabayashi Shigetsugu 作之

About Wakamatsu，若松連隊Wakamatsu Regiment ,it belong to 第二師團仙臺師團Secound Divsion（Sendai Divsion），第二十九聯隊No.29 Regiment（若松會津 Aizuwakamatsu）defending 福岛县（Fukushima-Ken）若松會津 Aizuwakamatsu area. I think 若松會津 Aizuwakamatsu is where 若林重次 Wakabayashi Shigetsugu live.

仙臺二師=第二師團仙臺師團 （Secound Divsion（Sendai Divsion） 若松連隊 =第二十九連隊 No.29 Regiment（若松會津 Aizuwakamatsu）/WakamatsuRegiment

Bruce I post how 若林重次 Wakabayashi Shigetsugu(若林重房 Wakabayashi Shigefusa ‘s son’） became Mantetsu swordsmith on the transtaltion fourm.I only has this stroy in Chinese,and it didn't say if his son making sword or working for Mantetsu.Yes,he still make the sword for Army after he went back to Tokyo on 1941 until end of the war,since he became 陸軍受命刀匠Rikugun Jumyo Tosho.About the last 70 or so swords Shigetsugu bruied,the article only said those were made for army,completed,but not yet give to Army,he will get paid after Army receied the swords.But not sure if those Swords were marked as Mantetsu or not. 若林重次 Wakabayashi shigetsugu study under 笠間一貫齋繁繼（Kasama Ikkansai Shigetsugu）and his father 若林重房 Wakabayashi Shigefusa. Here is a link mentioned 若林重次 Wakabayashi shigetsugu worked for Mantetsu Two swordsmiths were invited to the Mantetsu facility to teach sword making; they were Takeshima Hisakatsu and Wakabayashi Shigetsugu. Shigetsugu came back to Japan before the end of the war and became Rikugun Jumyo Tosho. http://www.japaneseswordindex.com/koa.htm 1931年“九一八事变”之后，日本全国弥漫着军国主义的气氛，人们对军刀的热情也日益高涨。重次也不例外，在制造刀具之余，经常前往东京的日本刀锻炼传习所，向笠间一贯斋繁继学习制造军刀的技术。繁继和他的交情非常好，有一次繁继不知怎么回事，居然把重要人物交其托管的名刀卖掉了，因此而闯了大祸，为此还到重次家里躲了一个月。为了感谢重次，繁继亲自制作两把刀相赠，并把自己的技术手把手地传给了重次。1937年，大八的儿子若林升成年了，重次也与当年他父亲一样，从若林家功成身退。但这时他的父亲早已去世，今市的家里也没什么人了。恰好此时，“满铁”株式会社的日下和治正需要会制作军刀的刀匠。而“满铁”有一名工务长，名叫武田，武田的夫人又和重次家是亲戚，就这样，通过武田的关系，重次被日下和治聘请到“满铁”做刀。 After the "September 18th Incident" in 1931, the atmosphere of militarism was permeated throughout Japan, and people's enthusiasm for swords was increasing，so dose 重次. He often goes to the Japanese sword training institute in Tokyo to learn the technique of making swords from笠间一貫齋繁繼. 繁繼's friendship with him was very good. One time 繁繼 didn't know what happened. He actually sold important knives entrusted to him by the celebrity. So he had a disaster, and for this reason he went to hide again for a month. In order to thank重次, 繁繼 personally produced two knives and gave his skills to重次. In 1937, Nichita Kazuhiro of Manchuria Co., Ltd. needed a swordsmith who could make swords. And "Mantetsu" has a chief of construction, named Takeda, and his wife is a relative of 重次's family. In this way, through Takeda's relationship, he was hired by "Mantetsu". 日下和治研制出的钢材，与日本制刀所用的传统玉钢不同。因此，重次所面临的问题并不仅仅是做刀，而是要嘗试用一种全新的、从未用过的钢材来制造军刀，可以说，这是一个很具开创性的工作。事实证明，重次的工作相当成功，“满铁”军刀从外观看起来没有玉钢锻打时形成的地肌，但它带有像尺子量出一般的直刃纹，显示出制作者高超的技艺水平。实际上，它的性能并不比玉钢所造的军刀差，在中国东北这样寒冷的自然气候条件下，也能够不折不弯。 The steel developed by Niigata Heji is different from the traditional jade steel used in Japanese sword making. Therefore, the problem 重次 faced is not just to make a sword, but to try to make a sword with a brand new and never used steel. It can be said that this is a very pioneering job. Facts have proved that the re-work is quite successful. The "Mantetsu" sword does not have the ground muscle formed by the forging of jade steel from the appearance, but it has a straight edge pattern measured by a ruler, showing the superb craftsmanship of the producer. Level. In fact, its performance is not worse than that of the sword made by Tamahagane, and it can not bend or bend under the cold natural climate such as Northeast China. 昭和十五年（公元1940年）秋季，恰好是日本皇纪（神武天皇即位纪元）2600年，侵占中国东北的日军举行了一场庆祝盛典，重次被授予勋章，还获得了一对落款重次的玉制印章作为纪念品。另外，日本著名刀匠栗原昭秀曾经到“满铁”做过短期技术指导。除此之外，再没有找到其他刀匠参与“满铁”军刀制造的记载。但根据常理推测，重次在自己制造军刀的同时，必定也在培养新的刀匠。重次于1941年返回日本，而“满铁”军刀的生产依旧正常进行，那时，应该有很多刀匠接替重次的工作。回国以后，重次继续做刀，直到战争结束。 The autumn of the Showa Fifteenth Year (1940 AD) happened to be the Japanese Emperor (Emperor Emperor Shenwu) in 2600. The Japanese army occupying Northeast China held a celebration ceremony, 重次was awarded a medal again and received a pair The jade seal was used as a souvenir. In addition, the famous Japanese swordsmith 栗原昭秀 Akira Kurihara once went to Mantetsu for short-term technical guidance. In addition, no other knifesmiths were found to be involved in the manufacture of the Manchurian Sabre. However, according to common sense speculation, while making a sword on his own again, he must also be training a new knifesmith. He returned to Japan again in 1941, and the production of Manchurian swords continued normally. At that time, there should be many knifesmiths to take over the job. After returning home, 重次 continued to do the sword again and again until the war ended. Kasama Ikkansai

I'd like to share the story of The Last Mantetsu sword(finished but not yet give to the Army)-By Mantetsu swordsmith 若林重次's younger son 若林八州彦. “昭和二十年8月15日战争结束那天的事情我记得很清楚……在“仙台二师”中可算得上精锐部队的若松联队驻地周围完全看不到军人的影子。等到半个月后，进入了9月份，有大约1000人的美国兵（纽约兵）进驻到若松来。当时大家都不知道是怎么回事，只能把不安的情绪隐藏起来，小心翼翼、提心吊胆地过日子，这个是事实……就在那个时候，我父亲花了很大工夫，把那些还没有拿到军方给予报酬的军刀，以及尚在运送途中的军刀都给弄了回来……至于缘由，是不想让好不容易才制好的军刀白白被美国兵没收，变成一堆废铁，还是他猜测这些军刀不久后会变得很值钱，还能卖出个好价钱呢？现在已经弄不清了。总之，当时弄回来的那批军刀就算没有100把，也有70把……” "I remember the day of the end of the war on August 15, Showa ... I know that in the" Second Division of Sendai ", the Wakamatsu Alliancecan be regarded as an elite unit. After half a month, in September, there were about 1,000 American soldiers (New York soldiers) stationed in Wakamatsu. At that time, everyone did not know what was going on, and could only hide the uneasy emotions and be careful. It is a fact to live a life of embarrassment ... At that time, my father spent a lot of time to get back those sabers that had not been paid by the military, and those that were still in transit ... As for the reason, maybe he not want to make the swords that took alot of time to make been confiscated by the American soldiers, and turned them into a pile of scrap metal, or maybe he guess that these swords would become very valuable and sell for a good price later? I can't figure it out. Anyway, he got at least 70 swords back if there weren't 100 swords... ” “因为美国兵非常讨厌日本刀，所以下了禁刀令，就连日本警察也帮着他们，凡是遇到名称里有刀的东西，一律全部没收，我说的就是那个时候的事情。古装的武打电影不准放，就连木头做的白虎刀，也因为名称里面有一个刀字，便不准制造和买卖了。局势就是那么的严酷，所以我家在经过商议之后，决定把那些军刀埋到后院的空地里去。” “洞挖得非常深，就像挖坟一样……再把‘素灰一点点地慢慢撒下去。每把刀都用润滑油通体抹一遍，10把一捆用稻草绳束起来，埋到‘素灰中去，最后再把土填平。” “虽说是把刀藏了起来，但是有很多人谣传，美国兵只要拿着电波探测器过来一查，马上就会发现了。我父亲一开始内心是非常恐惧的，但表面上还是装作若无其事地度日，平时就制作一些木匠刀具和机械刨什么的，就这样好几年过去了……” "Because the American soldiers hated Japanese swords very much, so they issued a ban on swords, and even the Japanese police helped them. Anything that had a knife in the name was confiscated. I said that at that time. Martial arts movies are not allowed to be released. Even white tiger swords made of wood are not allowed to be manufactured and sold because of a knife in the name. The situation is so harsh, so my family decided to bury those sabers after discussion. Go to the open space in the backyard. " "The hole was dug very deep, just like digging a grave ... Sprinkle the plain ash slowly and slowly. Each knife was wiped with lubricating oil, 10 bundles tied with a straw rope and buried 'Go in the ashes and fill the soil at the end.' "Although I hid the knife, there are many rumors that the American soldiers just came over and checked it with an electric wave detector and found it immediately. My father was very frightened at first, but on the surface it was still pretending to be nothing. Every day, I usually make some carpenter's knives and mechanical planers, and so on, so many years have passed ... " “昭和二十五年，日本政府和美国缔结条约之后，出台了一项允许持有刀剑的注册制度，时代变得在某些条件下又可以持刀了。在那样的情况下，我们忍不住想看一看那批刀变成什么样了，就想把它们重新挖出来。一方面抑制不住心里的那份雀跃，另一方面又担心刀会不会锈得不成样子了，怀着这种复杂的心情，我们终于去把地掘开了……我的父亲（重次）、哥哥（守彦）和我三个人拿着铁铲去挖，弄得浑身都是泥。但是结果呢，由于那块土地长期受地下水的浸泡，70把新刀被腐蚀得一把都没有幸免，全都锈得通红，甚至还变得破烂不堪。原本还期望至少有一半保存完好，但就连这个愿望也落空了。父亲浑身的力气好像一瞬间全被抽空，整个人都呆掉了……那一天的事情，现在想起来还历历在目。” "In the 25th year of the Showa era, after the Japanese government and the United States concluded a treaty, they introduced a registration system that allowed swords to be held, and the times became able to hold swords under certain conditions. In that case, we cannot bear I want to see what the swords have become, and want to dig them out again. On the one hand, we can't restrain the caper in my heart, and on the other, I am worried that the swords will become rusty. With such a complex mood, we finally went to dig the ground ... My father (重次), my brother (守彦) and me took the shovel to dig, and it was all mud. But as a result, As the land was soaked by groundwater for a long time, 70 new swords were not spared from being corroded, and all of them became rusty and red, and even became dilapidated. My father was hopping at least half of them were expected to be intact, but even this desire It didn't work. It seemed like his father's strength was all emptied in a split second, and the whole man stayed ... The day's events are still vividly remembered now. " In the last part of the story,he mentioned about the registration system that allowed swords to be held under certain conditions in Showa 25 year(1950).I think that backs up the story of why there were many papered Mantetsu and other Gunto in Japanese market.

滿鐵 若林重次作之 若林重次 study under 繁繼(Yasukuni Swordsmith，Known as 靖繁）， worked as sword smith for Mantetsu company. Here is his stroy,roughly translate by google. 最后的“满铁”军刀 1931年“九一八事变”之后，日本全国弥漫着军国主义的气氛，人们对军刀的热情也日益高涨。重次也不例外，在制造刀具之余，经常前往东京的日本刀锻炼传习所，向笠间一贯斋繁继学习制造军刀的技术。繁继和他的交情非常好，有一次繁继不知怎么回事，居然把重要人物交其托管的名刀卖掉了，因此而闯了大祸，为此还到重次家里躲了一个月。为了感谢重次，繁继亲自制作两把刀相赠，并把自己的技术手把手地传给了重次。1937年，大八的儿子若林升成年了，重次也与当年他父亲一样，从若林家功成身退。但这时他的父亲早已去世，今市的家里也没什么人了。恰好此时，“满铁”株式会社的日下和治正需要会制作军刀的刀匠。而“满铁”有一名工务长，名叫武田，武田的夫人又和重次家是亲戚，就这样，通过武田的关系，重次被日下和治聘请到“满铁”做刀。 The last "Mantetsu" sword After the "September 18th Incident" in 1931, the atmosphere of militarism was permeated throughout Japan, and people's enthusiasm for sabers was increasing. Repeatedly is no exception. In addition to manufacturing knives, he often goes to the Japanese sword training institute in Tokyo to learn the technique of making sabers from Kasama. Fan Ji's friendship with him was very good. One time Fan Jie didn't know what happened. He actually sold important knives entrusted to him by the celebrity. So he had a disaster, and for this reason he went to hide again for a month. In order to thank Jieji, Fan Ji personally produced two knives and gave his skills to Jieji. In 1937, the son of Da Baoruo was promoted to adulthood, and his father retired from the house of Ruolin again. But at this time his father had already died, and there was no one in his home in this city. Just at this time, Nichita Kazuhiro of Manchuria Co., Ltd. needed a swordsmith who could make sabers. And "Mantetsu" has a chief of construction, named Takeda, and his wife is a relative of Shige's family. In this way, through Takeda's relationship, he was hired by the Japanese and the rule to "Mantetsu" again. 日下和治研制出的钢材，与日本制刀所用的传统玉钢不同。因此，重次所面临的问题并不仅仅是做刀，而是要嘗试用一种全新的、从未用过的钢材来制造军刀，可以说，这是一个很具开创性的工作。事实证明，重次的工作相当成功，“满铁”军刀从外观看起来没有玉钢锻打时形成的地肌，但它带有像尺子量出一般的直刃纹，显示出制作者高超的技艺水平。实际上，它的性能并不比玉钢所造的军刀差，在中国东北这样寒冷的自然气候条件下，也能够不折不弯。 The steel developed by Niigata Heji is different from the traditional jade steel used in Japanese sword making. Therefore, the problem faced again and again is not just to make a knife, but to try to make a saber with a brand new and never used steel. It can be said that this is a very pioneering job. Facts have proved that the re-work is quite successful. The "Man-Iron" saber does not have the ground muscle formed by the forging of jade steel from the appearance, but it has a straight edge pattern measured by a ruler, showing the superb craftsmanship of the producer. Level. In fact, its performance is not worse than that of the saber made by Yugang, and it can not bend or bend under the cold natural climate such as Northeast China. 昭和十五年（公元1940年）秋季，恰好是日本皇纪（神武天皇即位纪元）2600年，侵占中国东北的日军举行了一场庆祝盛典，重次被授予勋章，还获得了一对落款重次的玉制印章作为纪念品。另外，日本著名刀匠栗原昭秀曾经到“满铁”做过短期技术指导。除此之外，再没有找到其他刀匠参与“满铁”军刀制造的记载。但根据常理推测，重次在自己制造军刀的同时，必定也在培养新的刀匠。重次于1941年返回日本，而“满铁”军刀的生产依旧正常进行，那时，应该有很多刀匠接替重次的工作。回国以后，重次继续做刀，直到战争结束。 The autumn of the Showa Fifteenth Year (1940 AD) happened to be the Japanese Emperor (Emperor Emperor Shenwu) in 2600. The Japanese army occupying Northeast China held a celebration ceremony, was awarded a medal again and received a pair The jade seal was used as a souvenir. In addition, the famous Japanese swordsman Akira Kurihara once went to Mantetsu for short-term technical guidance. In addition, no other knifesmiths were found to be involved in the manufacture of the Manchurian Sabre. However, according to common sense speculation, while making a saber on his own again, he must also be training a new knifesmith. He returned to Japan again in 1941, and the production of Manchurian sabers continued normally. At that time, there should be many knifesmiths to take over the job. After returning home, he continued to do the sword again and again until the war ended.

I have 3 pattern 5 wooden handle NCO sword.2 of them maybe "Prototype",only has 関 mark and no ser# on the blade.The other one has 6 digit numbers but not line up,looks divided to two parts.I noticed both "Prototype" has only 3 digit on the scabbard throat,and stamped on the opposite side .

looks like most of NCO sword should have straight hamon when out of factory.But as these been used more than the officer sword,hamon worn out quickly,not many NCO's polish their sword I assume.造兵刀 has straight hamon for sure,Maybe Type 32 has straight hamon as well?

Your Type 32乙 is genuine

龍神 means Dragon god。There are many 神社 Shrine of 龍神 in Japan。I assume the sword named 龍神 maybe from one of the 龍神神社 Dragon god Shrine? https://shinto-bukkyo.net/shinto/%E7%A5%9E%E7%A4%BE/%E9%BE%8D%E7%A5%9E%E7%A5%9E%E7%A4%BE/

So,maybe the "松” mark is also for 松山出張所?

Thanks John for clear that.

I rotate the second marke, it kind of look like 弘道 ，but I'm not very certain.There is a Showa smith name 丹羽弘道 Niwa Hiromichi though。 Or,from right to left could be 直弘，one Showa smith name 柳川直弘 Yanagawa Naohiro... let's see what Thomas think about this mark.

Bruce I’m sorry I don’t have contect with the owner.One of my friend sent me the photos,I can ask him about it,but no gaurantee for the answer though.

Malcolm One more for you

Very possible

Bruce One more Mantetsu for you. 興亞一心 滿鐵作 昭和壬午秋（1942 Autumn） Owner says 仮名 is ヤ (Ya),but it looks like フ(Fu )or ク(Ku )to me. 八七八 878 Trystan

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I think there are more Gunto out of woodwork recent years got the registration paper not only apply as memento of the fallen soldiers,it could also apply as Historical objects maybe?

JP Here is more info 現在我が国にはおよそ２５０万振りの日本刀が登録されております。昭和２６年に銃砲刀剣類登録証が発行されるようになり既に６０年の歳月が経ちますが、未だに数多くの日本刀が新規に登録されております。今後も更に登録手続きの済んでいない数多くの日本刀が出てくると思われます。この機会に改めて登録証の有無を確認して頂ければと思います。無登録の刀が発見されるケースは様々です。引っ越しや実家の整理などで物置などから発見される場合や建物の改築に伴い屋根裏や床下から出てくるケース。また中には親族の遺品として譲り受けたが登録証の行方が分からない物、GHQより出された許可証をそのまま知らずに所持しているといったケースもあります。もし家の中から登録証の無いものが出てきた時はまずその所轄の警察署の生活安全課に行き発見届けの申請を行いましょう。時々実家の整理をしていたら刀が出てきたので一旦自分の住んでいる場所に持ち帰り改めて発見届けをしようとする人がいますが、必ず刀が発見された地域の所轄の警察署へ届け出るようにしましょう。また発見届けはその刀が出てきた家の世帯主が申請をしますが事情によってはご家族の方でも構いません。ただし第三者が発見届けの申請を代行する事は出来ませんのでくれぐれも注意致しましょう。発見届けの申請に必要なものは発見された刀と印鑑です。発見届けの申請用紙は各警察署の生活安全課に備えてありますので刀が発見された場所、日時やいきさつを説明すれば発見届けの書類を作成しくれます。発見届けの際は刀が錆びていても研いだりせずに発見された時のままの状態で手続きをしましょう。よく発見届けをしに警察署へ行くと逆にその場で罰せられたり刀を没収されたりするのではと心配する方がいますがそのような事は決してありません。また絶対外へ持ち出さずにずっと家の中にしまっておけば発見届けの申請が必要ないと思っている方もおりますが、家から持ち出さなくても無登録の刀剣類を所持していると銃刀法違反になりe ますので必ず発見届けを申請しましょう。 Roughly translate by using google translate:Currently, there are about 2.5 million Japanese swords registered in Japan. It has been 60 years since the registration certificate for firearms and swords was issued in 1951, but many Japanese swords are still registered. In the future, many Japanese swords that have not yet been registered will appear. I would like to check the registration certificate again at this opportunity. There are various cases where unregistered swords are discovered. Cases that come out of the attic or under the floor as a result of renovation of a building or when it is discovered from a storeroom, such as when moving or organizing a house. There are also cases where you have been handed over as a relic of a relative but you do not know the whereabouts of the registration card, or you still have the license issued by GHQ without knowing it. If something without a registration card comes out from your house, first go to the Life Safety Division of the police station in your area and apply for a discovery report. Sometimes the sword came out if I was organizing my home, so there are people who take it home once and try to report it again, but be sure to report it to the local police station where the sword was found Let's. In addition, the householder of the house where the sword came out applies for the discovery report, but depending on the circumstances, it may be a family member. However, please be aware that third parties are not able to apply for discovery notification. What you need to apply for a discovery report is a discovered sword and a seal. The application form for discovery notification is prepared in the Life Safety Division of each police station, so if you explain the place, date and time where the sword was discovered, it will create a discovery notification document. If you find a sword, do not sharpen it even if the sword is rusty. Some people are worried that if they go to the police station to report, they will be punished on the spot or the sword will be confiscated. Also, some people think that if you keep them in the house without taking them outside, you do not need to apply for discovery. Be sure to apply for a discovery report because it is a violation of the sword.

Bruce I found this article talking about the papered semi-forged(Nontraditional made) blade(Gunto),it's in Japanes . http://www.eiwado.co.jp/inquiry2.html 半鍛錬の軍刀でも親族の遺品等であった場合には特例の処置もあるようですので各都道府県教育委員会に問い合わせてみましょう。 Roughly transilated :If you have a semi-forged(Nontraditional made)sword it was once belong to family member who died in war, and then it will be treated specially ,please contact local Education Committee. So that might explain why some showa to got the registered. Some one says： 昭和26年至33年之間，以陣亡將士代表紀念品「遺骨代」為名目，申請登錄之各式軍刀不在少數。但昭和33年之後，便修法不再發給這類刀劍登錄許可了。 Between Showa 26-33 year1951-1958 , Many Gunto were registered as memento of the fallen soldiers (Subject "the remains of the bones". After Showa 33 year 1958, Goverment change the law, no longer issued the sword registeration license to these nontraditional made gunto . Trystan

Bruce Here is one rare arsenal mark for you.It's on a Navy Type 30 bayonet,some says it maybe made in Toyokawa Naval Arsenal (豊川海軍工廠) or Yokosuka Naval Arsenal (横須賀海軍工廠).

Agree!There are lot of members here contribute/share the knowledg&infomations with us for sure.But without Bruce start that two post and keep document all the info from all sources,we would not be able to gain that many knowledge about Mantetsu sword & Arsenal marks. Thanks for your hard work,Bruce!

The last two kanji could be 成功（success），that way make more sense.

Bruce I’m not sure if this page is waht you looking for http://ohmura-study.net/794.html#4