Nicholas

Thank you. Still available.

Still for sale.

9 hours ago, Corradobrit said:

 

Are the larger marks on the left side also stains?

 

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

1 hour ago, Corradobrit said:

Are the larger marks on the left side also stains?

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.

4 hours ago, 2devnul said:

Maybe you can show close-up pictures of this section?

3 hours ago, Matsunoki said:

and maybe this section?

Sure, just some stains

On 4/7/2024 at 4:50 PM, SteveM said:

This assumes that you want to repatriate the sword.

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. 

2 hours ago, Volker62 said:

Peter

 

 

it was listed on ebay some weeks ago

 

If I'm not mistaken, there were somme deep pitting near the ha

Volker,

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

Best Regards,

Nick

4 hours ago, SteveM said:

The name Dōtomi is one of the rarest in Japan. On the site I use for researching Japanese names, it says there are only 10 people in Japan with this surname, and they all live in Nagasaki prefecture, Ikishi city (長崎県壱岐市). No doubt they are all related. 

 

Source: https://myoji-yurai.net/searchResult.htm?myojiKanji=堂富

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.

28 minutes ago, Conway S said:

@Nicholas Is your sword also posted on eBay? You’ve posted some nice stuff recently. 

 

Conway

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

5 hours ago, Itomagoi said:

I am very surprised that this sword has not yet been sold.

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

11 hours ago, k morita said:

Hi,

Part of a kanji has no meaning.

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

4 hours ago, BANGBANGSAN said:

Maybe you should read this info about Mantestu sword  http://ohmura-study.net/998.html

In my previous response on the other thread, this sword is a presentation sword given to their employee. Apart from the signature (mei) containing that information, it is a standard-made Mantetsu sword. They made around 35000（maybe a little more) Mantetsu swords during 7 years, we are uncertain about the exact number of these swords that were gifted; I speculate not too many, perhaps a couple hundred or so? However, yours is the only one that has surfaced by far.

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.

16 hours ago, Bruce Pennington said:

He had never posted the serial number, but thanks to you, we now have it!

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

2 hours ago, BANGBANGSAN said:

 

Nicholas

 

Thanks for posting the ser#.I saw this sword posted on a Facebook group not long ago. I was interested in purchasing it, but the guy mentioned to me the seller who prefers dealing with buyers in person. 

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.

12 hours ago, Kotetsu1959 said:

That is an exceptional sword. I have been looking for years to find one. They are scarce. Pictured is a tanto purchased from the estate of Dr. Herman Wallinga. I was told by the late, and much respected, Professor Arnold Frenzel that the diagonal file marks on the mune-machi indicate a piece was forged by Hideaki himself, as opposed to one of his assistants. If you have time, I would appreciate your posting a picture of the mune-machi on your sword. And thank you for the pictures you have already posted of your wonderful find!

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.

4 hours ago, mdiddy said:

Nice pick-up! A Mikasa-to by Horii Hideaki will usually brighten up a day. Please share pics of the blade and mounts.

Here is the mei and nengo as I see it:

 

Mei: 以軍艦三笠砲鋼秀明 (made with Battleship Mikasa cannon steel, Hideaki)

 

Nengo: 昭和五年五月日 (a day in May 1930)

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.

2 hours ago, Bruce Pennington said:

Year is 1940, someone else will give you the rest of the mei.

Thanks Bruce,

I think this is a Horri Hideaki partially made from gun steel off of the battleship Mikasa.

Hello all. I just picked up this sword signed Hideaki but that’s about all I can translate.

4 hours ago, Bruce Pennington said:

Nicholas,

That date is October 1941.

 

Good looking blade and gunto.  Good luck with the sale!

Thank you Bruce. I’m not good with the dates.