Klink

Excellent eye! I put the Mei under a microscope and that is definitely a character however I did not see anything else other than file marks. I looked through the Nihonto Club search engine with "Shige" and Kiyoshige shows up many times in the modern era.

Ok I did my best! Nagasa 66.36 cm Sori 1.59 cm, Naka-zori curve Motohaba 3.04 cm Saki-haba 2.175 cm Motogasane 8 mm Sakigasane 5.3 mm Weight 813.6 g

So do you see this as a Tachi cut down? I read where the file marks on the Nakago are the smiths personal space where you can tell right handed file marks or left handed..... What I see what looks like something other than file marks but more like a vice or ??? Also the "Kane" as pronounced with fusa.... is that KAN492? or the Kanabo Schools of smiths from the Kanabo area of Nara. Quote... While Kanabo (金房) swords, particularly katana, are known for their somewhat inelegant shapes, they were, however, highly prized by Samurai of the Sengoku Era of constant warfare. This is because of their superior strength and cutting ability. This helps to explain the existence of so many Kanabo (金房) blades today when compared with other swords that were produced in great numbers during this period of constant warfare. Simply put, they worked. They were made for combat and proved their capabilities.

Can't figure this one out as the rust is covering half of the Mei but I think I got the "Kin" symbol right. Tried to look up Smiths with Kin and ??? but to no avail..... Also the other side looks like "Ichi Katana ??? ". Number One Katana ???! . I am lost I'm afraid....

I think I got the title right . Could this have been be a Tachi? The only Kanji is the very small chiseled "Shige" at the bottom of the Nakago and the lower small hole is the one currently used for the Mekugi. The brown painted wood Saya has the one piece Koiguchi/Asahi with the patent number on it that was discussed in a forum thread. It was stated in that thread that all of the Gunto examples with that Saya fitting were Mumei. This example has a silver Habaki. From an old forum thread it was stated that silver Habaki were common in the Shinto era. The blade has a very steep taper to the Ha-machi which is quite different than my factory made Gunto examples. Appreciate any info you can shed on this one.

Well thanks, you gave me a thought and so I searched for it and since I use Chrome it turns when your on the website to be translated you simply right click on your mouse and it brings up a Google Popup which has a Line that says, Translate to English.... and it worked. So I'm back on the site!!!

Ed, I saw a retention strap like that but the photo was from a distance. That's a perfect photo for an interpretation on dimensions. Was the material leather, pigskin ..... It looks very soft and flexible like a deerskin. And I suppose the snap may be interesting and that may turn into another topic of its own My concern was would that affect the Seppa and spacing. My gunto has a full set of spacers which may suggest the strap would have been the Fuchi wrapped style.

Thanks Bruce. For some reason I was on the Main Site and a window allowed for English Translation that appeared instantly and now no more.

So I guess it's a good match and thanks for the comments. If all else fails (which is sounds like it's going to) on the retainer strap I have a custom saddle maker down the road and he made a friend a replica 1903A3 cheek rest, so I'm sure he could handle a strap... we shall see . Regarding the Saya, lets just say I have been a friend of the WWW since its creation and I have used it successfully to search for items such as this. Heck, I found you guys! But I do find things locally as well so check your local Facebook Marketplace, Auctions Houses, etc. Assuming your retired and have lots of spare time on your hands! Unfortunately most of our greatest generation have passed away and we have personally recently lost family members who served at Normandy Beach, a 1st Division / Hollywood Marine who served at Peleliu, Okinawa and China and others. Where I live we have a large contingent of retired Military serviceman and many families are confused as what to do with items such as this as they do not want their children accidentally finding one. I believe in history preservation and someday hope to pass it on to my Grand kids.....

Based on Bruce's notes, it looks like not only did Yoshitada (義忠) win the "Chairman's Prize" in the arsenal smith category in 1944 but he also produced more then the other smiths (based on a statistical population of six)...

I was enjoying reading the Ohmura-study but now when I bring up the website I don't get the english translation option to click on. I was going to quote the author but by paraphrasing I thought it said that facilities that were bombed had work in progress that were never finished.

This is what I am looking for?

I think I have found a Saya match for this Gunto and so give me your thoughts. (1) From the earlier comments I learned the Tsuba has the hole for a combat retention strap. (2) It is my opinion that the fuchi is simple as compared to the the more decorated imprinted ones or the ones with release buttons, therefore keeping with the frugal warrior concept I have read that not all Saya with combat covers had Koiguchi fittings. (4) I understand the fitness test is that the Gunto should stay in the saya unsupported in a vertical position which this one does and the habaki fits snug. No matter what this will protect the blade and my fingers... Now where can you get a Combat Cover Retention strap?

So May of 1945 was getting close to the end. I wonder if the factories shut down prior to the end of the war.

18,000 swords a month.... Thats some quota. I wonder how many a day that works out to for the Gunto smith??