Lazervulture Posted March 30, 2017 Report Posted March 30, 2017 I have a type 98 gunto passed down from my grandfather stationed all over the pacific theater. If anyone can help translate the markings or verify blade type I would appreciate it. Information will only be used to help date this for myself. First question, what does the marking translate to? Second, can any one help tell how the blade was made from looking at it? Third, the tang pin and hand guard parts are missing, are these okay to replace, or is it taboo? I appreciate the expertise, this peace means a lot to me and I would love to know where it came from. Thanks, Dan Quote
Mark Posted March 30, 2017 Report Posted March 30, 2017 Dan welcome any chance you can post a picture? Hard to translate without one Quote
Lazervulture Posted March 30, 2017 Author Report Posted March 30, 2017 Here are the pictures, let me know if more are needed. Dan Quote
Lazervulture Posted March 30, 2017 Author Report Posted March 30, 2017 A little better view of the bottom symbol. Thanks, hoping to bring a lot of blades to the table! Quote
Mark Posted March 30, 2017 Report Posted March 30, 2017 looks like Kanenori. hard to be positive but most likely it is "showato" meaning not made in the traditional way, it may be oil tempered or made with western or processed steel. you can, and should, replace the "tang pin", you can get guard parts if you can find ones that make a good fit Quote
Lazervulture Posted March 30, 2017 Author Report Posted March 30, 2017 Thank you mark, I didn't think it was traditional, the signature being cut off by the tang hole didn't feel right to me. And great, I'll look into replacing the missing pieces. Dan Quote
SwordGuyJoe Posted March 30, 2017 Report Posted March 30, 2017 While it certainly could be Kanenori (兼則), to me it looks more like Kaneaki (兼明). Edit to add: Take a look at this and compare to your sword: http://www.japaneseswordindex.com/oshigata/kaneaki2.jpg This guy would be my guess for your smith, but tough with the pics and nijimei (From Markus' index): Kaneaki (兼明), Shōwa (昭和, 1926-1989), Gifu – „Nōshū-jū Kuriyama Kaneaki saku“ (濃州栗山住兼明作), civilian name „Kuriyama Kenjirō“ (栗山鍵次郎), born in December 1888, student of Watanabe Kanenaga (渡辺兼永), Niwa Kanenobu (丹羽兼信) and Fujiwara Kanezumi (藤原兼住), he worked as guntō smith and died on August 23rd 1966 1 Quote
Mark Posted March 31, 2017 Report Posted March 31, 2017 Joe good eye. i had thought either Nori or aki for the second kanji but it was hard to be sure, so i went with my first thought 1 Quote
Stephen Posted March 31, 2017 Report Posted March 31, 2017 ouch should have hit that one that was my Kaneaki that Dr Rich used 1 Quote
Lazervulture Posted April 2, 2017 Author Report Posted April 2, 2017 Thanks guys, after looking closer it definitely seems to be a kaneaki. Can anyone take a look at these pictures and tell if this looks like a hada or just a trick of the light? I can't tell. Quote
SwordGuyJoe Posted April 2, 2017 Report Posted April 2, 2017 I don't see hada there. Looks like a non-traditional sword to me. Quote
Stephen Posted April 2, 2017 Report Posted April 2, 2017 The Hanazawa Tanrenjo was opened in the late Meiji period and operated until the late Taisho period. The following list includes smiths from the Hanazawa Tanrenjo and their students: 1. Horii Taneyoshi (胤吉) / Yoshiaki (吉文) 1.1. Horii Taneaki (胤明) 1.1.1. Horii Toshihide (俊秀) / Kaneaki (兼明) / Hideaki (秀明) Quote
Lazervulture Posted April 2, 2017 Author Report Posted April 2, 2017 Okay, well that clears it up! Thanks all! Quote
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