Mei Translation Please

[Waxburn]

Hi everyone.

I would appreciate some help in identifying the symbols on the tang of this sword. It was given to me by my mother in law and was brought back to Australia from WW2 by her father. It is unknown how he obtained the sword as he would never talk about the war with them.

 

The sword appears to be a Type 98 Guntō. The tsuba, seppa and fuchi are all marked at the top with 75 and a possible 3 or symbol like an incomplete 3 at the bottom.

 

There are 3 symbols on the tang which seemed odd but hopefully someone can help with identifying them.

 

Thanks in advance to anyone who can help.

 

Mick.

[Mark]

is there a picture?

[Waxburn]

Trying to work out how to post it.

[Waxburn]

[Shugyosha]

Nagamitsu Saku (made by Nagamitsu).

 

Is there anything else on the tang? If there is a stamp it will indicate a non-traditionally made blade. Is there a date on the other side?

 

At first blush it doesn't look like the usual signature on wartime blades so it might be an older, traditionally made blade taken to war. Are you able to post some more pictures of the point and any activity around the hardened edge or in the steel above that? Also perhaps a picture of the whole blade with the fittings off showing length and curvature.

[raaay]

looks like it is signed  Naga mitsu saku ww2 smith  i.e. made by Naga mitsu,

[Shugyosha]

If it is a wartime blade, these are the two possibilities (from Markus Sesko):

 

NAGAMITSU (長光), Shōwa (昭和, 1926-1989), Gifu – “Nagamitsu” (長光), real name Kawasaki Sen´itsu (川崎専逸), born October 13th 1906, he worked as guntō smith.

 

NAGAMITSU (長光), Shōwa (昭和, 1926-1989), Okayama – “Nagamitsu” (長光), “Ichihara Ichiryūshi Nagamitsu” (市原一龍子長光), “Ichihara Nagamitsu” (市原長光), family name Ichihara (市原), gō Ichiryūshi (一龍子), he worked as rikugun-jumei-tōshō and was a participant in the first Amy Shinsakutō Exhibition (Rikugun Guntō Gijutsu Shōreikai Ten, 陸軍々刀技術奨励会展) held in 1944, as he worked from Okayama, it had been assumed that he and the gendai swordsmith Emura (江村) were the same smith but more recent studies have revealed that they were two different smiths, due to this error, there was even the nickname “ Kangoku-Nagamitsu” (監獄長光, lit. “prison Nagamitsu”) going round.

 

Another possibility might be this guy who also signed with a two character signature:

 

NAGAMITSU (長光), Keiō (慶応, 1865-1868), Iyo – “Seiryūsai Nagamitsu saku” (精龍斎長光作), “Matsuyama Seiryūsai Nagamitsu saku” (松山精龍斎長光作), “Nagamitsu” (長光), real name Miyoshi Genjirō (三好源次郎), gō Suiryūsai (精龍斎), he died in the fifth year of Taishō (大正, 1916) but is still listed as student of Suishinshi Masahide (水心子正秀) what is rather unlikely.

[Ray Singer]

This appears to be an Ichihara Nagamitsu.

 

https://www.japaneseswordindex.com/naga.htm

[Waxburn]

Here are some more photos. The tang is rusted so hard to know if there is are symbols underneath.

[Ray Singer]

It is really extremely rare to find a date on an Ichihara Nagamitsu. Most are signed like yours, 3 character mei with no date.

 

Best regards,

Ray

[Waxburn]

Thanks everyone for your assistance with this I really appreciate it.

[Waxburn]

After looking at the mei closely it appears to be a 3 Stoke ‘naga’. So this could be written by someone else using Nagamitsu or someone working for Ichihara.

[Ray Singer]

Example of an Ichihara with a 3-stroke NAGA.

 

http://www.aoijapan.com/img/sword/2012/12249-2.jpg

[Waxburn]

Thanks for your time Ray, appreciate it.

 

Mick.