Jcstroud

After a multitude of searches of Sword Smith lists and kai gunto and shin gunto blades I finally came up with a possibility that maybe.......in the 1943 gendai tosho ninki banzuke jyungenro I have found a swordsmith by the name of. TOMITA SUKEHIRO (TOKYO) Apon Viewing at least 6 of his swords along with a masahiro,a masanao all having the same mixed army navy souvenir fittings,same in black same snapped off kiri nakago near Identicle........I have been looking for years to solve the mystery .any help would be greatly appreciated. Due to the uniformity of construction I am thinking they all possibly worked together along with name association. Help!

The more you know, the more you know you know?????

Can anyone read the writing on exterior of the boxes for clues?

Now to address the confusion....it is my belief that the Korean war vets that Bob Coleman bought the swords from according to them they were bought at the px in tokyo .it is probable that name Japanese Naval Sword was used by the vendors....hence the confusion between the 2 stores. One way to further clarify the situation is to look for a registration of this company name in the records in Japan.

It has been a pleasure. I really like Kiipu's posting stating ever sword needs to be respected because each one has a story to tell. That story may be a mystery,a saga ,a legacy,or the remnants of their desire to be remembered . Each deserving our time,and respect because for some it is all that is left.

I reserve the right to be wrong...right??? Now I am confused?@#$!%

Oh by the way JOHNC on page 3 of this topic you will find a Zenhiro Hottori. Aka Masahiro in souvenir fittings including cut kiri tang and all!! Green paint ,black numbers same small circle anchor stamp Takayama to. Looks like him and Toyosuke worked in the same shop. !!!!????

On page one of this topic you will find a statement By Mr Bob Colman saying these swords were sold by the Japan Sword company as this was the common theory,or belief years ago based on 70 year old word of mouth testimony. Now we find new evidence that these were sold under contract by the" Japanese Naval Sword Manufacturing Company Honshu . Ok now Japan Sword Company can be quoted as saying that in 1955 they had a "dark disdain for mass produced ,machine made swords. "doubtful they would sell one. Not to mention the fact they had arsenal stamps making them illegal in Japan at the time till present day,combined with the inability. Of Tenshozan works to "dispose of them in a different manner.

Funmy thing every time I think I have found the answer I realize I have only found another question !!!!!!!!🥺

Interesting none of the documents in Bruce s pdf mention the title "Japanese Naval Sword Manufacturing Company... Tenshozan Works yes....I wonder where Steve Thorpe found that "Title" ??????

One thing that I have noticed is these souvenir swords some have small toyokawa circled stamps like the one found the takayama -to of masahiro and other blades have a larger, different circled anchor stamp!! Hmmmmm.....

Your guess was correct according to previous posts and docs......

If you download Mr. Bruce Penningtons Pdf on the mysterious Naval Landing Swords the document is near the bottom....

This is the quote where I found the title Japanese Naval Sword Company. Respectfully.

Question: the Japanese Naval Sword Company had nothing to do with the Japanese Sword Company of Hakusui Inami correct???? It seems that perhaps at times one could be confused with the other in times past?or perhaps I am the one that is confused? I think i willrecheck my notes.

Bruce : In response to speculation on page 46 of the leathernecks magazine you find a quote"they have a cold disdain for mass produced machine made swords" It seems understandable at the time.

I think the ohmura study clarifies this by saying " there was a first class mounting and a second grade mounting" probably due to the officers ability to pay . And limited resources at the time. A note to Mr Malcolm Cox: I stand corrected I meant no disrespect only found it that in respect to toyokawa swordsmiths there is so little known about them.

Certainly postwar production is irrefutable ,however the possibility of some being made from march 1945 onward is entirely possible .now in retrospect pg 10 of Malcolm Cox s pdf about naval stainless toyokawa circled anchor stamped blades states no blades of this sort were found after 1944 and only two were signed !! ?????

To respond to fuller and gregory,s pg 138 I agree that their assessment in combination with the ohmura study pertaining to kamakura extraordinary special case gunto mounts indicate late war onward configuration.and possible combat usage in my humble opinion. The real truth is we really dont know even though we really want to.

Thanks Johnc for the feedback. one thing I had I just noticed after inspecting the kabutogane with a magnifying glass the aged remnants of the army brown paint was there and after scratching it with my thumbnail it easily exposed the brass ontop and the sides.! The sides textured but the top,bottom and pommel surfaces smooth and polished brass that was worn thin on the pommel end. The tsuba measured 77×65 mm for comparison purposes.

One other thing I noticed is the kabutogane does not have the cherry blossoms like others these areas appear to have been filed and wirebrushed ages ago, the same appears to be deteriorating from age .and perhaps a few hard knocks. Thank you for your patience its seems I have left no stones unturned. Thank you all.who knows maybe we will figure out who was Toyosuke.? Oh well keep the faith.

One more for evaluation

BRUCE,THOUGHT TO SEND THIS PHOTO FOR YOUR COMPARISON AN ANALYSIS.