robinalexander

Thanks for your comment David, I understand what Chris is saying but tend to agree that the shortage of materials, late war, necessitated the call for civilian swords for active service. I'm just not clear as to why a Seki gunto smith would have made, or had a commission for, a Wakazashi blade sometime between 1935-1945 only to have had it mounted in civilian Koshirae to take to war. (excepting the combat cover of course). Interesting that the 'Bamboo Leaf' design tsuba is not common......I would like tk think it is a genuine period piece rather than a later modern addition. To return to the rarity, or not, of WW2 produced Wakizashi's ....no advance on that question at this point. Rob

Final pics....

Couple more...

Have been considering posting this for some time. I have an undated Kanemitsu Wakizashi with Sho stamp. A good sword mate mentioned that it's rare to find a Wak made during WW2 period and maybe only 1 in 100 Wak's fall into this category. I have noticed the odd mention of this on other threads but thought it could be interesting to explore just how 'rare' they may be and how many are owned by members. So if you have one, please post. Mine is an un-dated Nōshū seki jū-nin Kanemitsu saku kore. Nagasa 562 mm Nakago 210 mm Tsuka 245 mm Sori 125 mm Overall length 860 mm Not sure about the authenticity of the tsuba. Randomly picked up at auction a few years ago.

Yes Bruce, I have to wonder why so many are in v/good condition and yet ones like this still pop up from time to time. Did they even need regular replacement (?) Why did this one miss out (?)....due to cost, lack of available new parts or lack of interest from owner (?). Whatever the reason, the only thing you could 'take to the bank' is that whoever used this, carried a sword regularly for long periods at a time. Its all in the mystery 😊 Rob

I find this a fantastic (growing) reference tool...thanks Bruce.

Is it possible the tang held the owners name and that is was used in WW2? Maybe a wild guess but could explain the rough removal. Seen some horrible Mon removal jobs. Rob

My modest pair. From what I can see they are much the same as already posted with the possible exception of the hook on the platted leather hanger which has extreme wear....I'm thinking it's been around.

Yeah Dan i just find it difficult to believe that an auction house would say what they are saying

Very nice John, Never seen a mon there before but it seems more fitting to be on the side. Looks to be quite a fine (maybe light) blade? Rob

Jonathon, I think that in order for members to give you some info on what you are looking at, you will have to provide a few more pics so they have some idea about what they are looking at The blade, the kissaki (tip), the mounts (fittings) and importantly the tang ( metal bit under the handle) both sides. Rob

No problem Uwe, both you and Piers @Bugyotsujiwere very helpful in deciphering the mei which enabled me to get closer and that really helps a lot. I now understand your well meaning caution where 'less obvious' mei is concerned. I'm getting the feeling that both of you may have/had legal backgrounds or a fair degree of exposure to same Thanks again. Rob

Ahhhhh Piers thankyou. That answers so many questions that I have had for sometime (re Translation thread). Hope you keep up the good work (and Uwe 😊) Rob

Suke

2nd character Fuji or To or Do or Mura Therefore Kafuji Kato, Kado or maybe Kamura ?? Ill look at the third, it may provide a clue to the second.

Well I do like a mystery Got first character Ka The next must be at least 18 strokes!! Workin on it

Thanks Piers and Uwe, Always appreciate your responses. I will have to take your answers (Japanese figures) to Markus' kanji compendium though in order to arrive at a name in english. On that point, I often see your responses to translation requests are still in kanji and I wonder why that is....rather than just saying, or better still, adding a name like Nagamitsu? I dont wish to appear ungrateful as I am not 😊 ...just a question. Tks again Rob

Sorry guys...I should know better And apologies for indistinct pic...I didnt take that one.

This is a little tricky.....

The 'right up' (auction house in Rome GA USA) on this particular fake is a little scary. Looks like one bidder has committed $810 US.....boy are they going to be disappointed! "An excellent example of a World War II Type 95 Japanese Army NCO sword that was obviously carried in the field of combat operations." World War II Japanese NCO Katana Shin-Gunto Sword (#0384) on Mar 27, 2022 | Connoisseur Auctions in GA (liveauctioneers.com)

Have a hot link re 56th Brigade (Sakaguchi) and 2 Kure SNLF which sheds more light 'coincidence' on the previous link but will PM you as I don't want to digress too much from the original link.

The plans drawn up on 16 November 1941, and subsequently signed by the Dutch East India Unit and the commanders of the Navy, specified that the landing on the island of Tarakan would take place on the heavily fortified front on both banks of the Karungan River. Staff officer Yano Tsuneo of the Sakaguchi Division had insisted at the time that he wanted to carry out the operation in a modified manner, regardless of the original plan. When there were no objections, as soon as the department arrived in Palau, he began training to cross the jungle. [1] From German Wiki de.wikipedia Rob

So John are you thinking YANO Tsuneo or Lt Col YANO Minoru?

Nothing to see in tang under the handle Paul so best leave it as is. You may, or may not, see a very small 'W' stamp but nothing else. Never signed like most officer blades are. Its sometimes the case that it will just not go back together as tight as it is now and you could just damage screw in the process There is mention of the 'W' stamp on 95's in Bruce's great reference download .... Stamps of the Japanese Sword booklet Its probably fair to say that Type 95's are not meant to be disassembled like Type 94, 97cand 98 officer swords. Rob

Matt, A couple of pics from my TERUHIDE Ishido, for your interest. Rob