Nicholas

Do you think this is a surrender tag or more of an inventory or valuation sticker?

Hi all, Can anyone translate this tag on the saya of a wakizashi. It’s a little worn and might be hard to read. Any help is appreciated.

Thank you. Still available.

Still for sale.

Here’s some pictures to clarify. No pitting no chips no damage to the blade

Yes, I realize now that the initial pictures make it look like damage but there is no pitting or damage to the blade. It’s healthy and in good shape.

Sure, just some stains

Im not looking to repatriate the sword. That was not my intention. I just wanted to document some history on the sword and possibly the owner to keep with it. I’m not going any further than some google searches. I wouldn’t reach out to the family.

Volker, You must be mistaken. There is absolutely no pitting on this blade. I can add additional pictures if needed. Best Regards, Nick

Thanks Steve. All my searches on that surname for any historical context came up empty. I can only guess the person associated with that name had something to do with the railroad company.

Yes it is also posted on eBay. Thank you Conway. I may be selling others out of my collection once these few sell.

I am surprised too. Its a good sword by a good smith at a great price.

Thanks for your help. I was hoping it would lead me somewhere but the name Dōtomi Takeo is a dead end.

Trystan, I have read Ohmura and I am aware of what Mantetsu blades are and how many they made. I admit Mantetsu are not my forte when it comes to collecting and I may be learning as I go about them but we can’t say without speculating how many of these presentation swords were made. There is no reference to another one in any books that I’ve seen or from scouring throughout the internet. In my opinion the mei adds provenance which sets it apart from regular Mantetsu blades and for who it was made for maybe the surrender tag will eventually shed some light. Regards, Nick

There is also a character that is on the back of the surrender tag that can be seen through the frontside i circled it in the original picture.

Bruce can you tell me what the serial number is on this sword

I actually drove to pick up the sword in person last week. Hard to find any information or references. Do you have any ideas on how to proceed about finding out more information about the sword. Who or what it was made for. Are there any more?

Yes, I purchased the sword from the colonel’s son this is that sword. Ive seen this thread it’s where I got most of my information. I guess this is the only one that’s ever come up. Thanks Bruce

Hi, I am looking for further information on a sword I recently acquired. The sword is signed Koa Isshan Mantetsu and dated. There is also a long inscription I believe says “Presented by the railway company of Jilin, Harbin, and Qiqihar” there is also a surrender tag with the name “Dotomi Takeo”. From my research Jilin, Harbin and Qiqihar are city’s or hubs for the railway in Manchuria. That’s about all I know. I’ve never seen another Koa Isshan like this anywhere. If anyone has any suggestions or information it would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you. I would have never figured that out.

Thank you, that’s a beautiful blade you have . It appears that the sword I have has the same file marks as yours.

The condition of the surrender tag is not that great. If anything can be deciphered it would be greatly appreciated.

That’s what I thought it was. From what I’ve read they only made 229 long swords. Some have engraving on the blade and some don’t. Does anyone know how many were made with the engraving. The sword is in shirasaya. I believe that’s how they came encased in a box which I don’t have.