Military sword?

[nektoalex]

Greetings! I ask you to help attribute this blade, since, apparently, it is not registered or prefabricated. Thanks!

[Navy]

Interesting; the experts will tell you more, but if I don’t get wrong this is a showato military blade (with Showa stamp), in a civilian koshirae but with leather combat cover.

[Brian]

Arsenal blade, oil quenched Showato in alternate mounts from that period. We see these occasionally. Not sure if they were special order for those with a bit of money.

[vajo]

Great sword, I like it very much.

Beautiful Tsuba.

I guess the Fuchi Kashira shows cherry blossoms to?

 

Looks absolut authentic. Please give the leather some care with leatherfat.

 

A perfect example of a civillian employee sword. 

 

compare it here.

http://ohmura-study.net/728.html

[nektoalex]

Thanks!

[vajo]

 

xxxx yoshi (?) masa saku kore

 

Very nice condition of the blade. Attractive hamon.

 

[nektoalex]

You are welcome

[vajo]

Alexsandr could you show a picture of the fuchi/kashira?

 

If it is the same as in the tsuba shown you have matching fittings.

[Navy]

Chris, why the second mekugi ana? Born as military sword and subsequently fitted with the civilian koshirare?

[vajo]

No it was never an officer sword. The Koshirae is authentic. The blade is forged by hand but not in the traditional way. But this doesn't matter. Its a carefully and well made sword.

It was carryied by an employee of the IJA or a lower rank.

 

I dont know why it has a second mekugi ana we can only speculate.

 

I cant read the full name. Sorry.

 

Edit: i notice there was a second hole in the tsuka, hmm...  maybe refitted?

[nektoalex]

Kashira was apparently replaced, possibly the whole tsuka.

[vajo]

Did you look under the leather around the Fuchi? Maybe it is a cherry blossom that fits to the tsuba?

[SAS]

Interesting that one hole looks punched, while the other is drilled.....paging Dr. Ken!  

[nektoalex]

Did you look under the leather around the Fuchi? Maybe it is a cherry blossom that fits to the tsuba?

Now there is no way to check

[vajo]

My last try on the smith is 

 

竹内兼正作之

takeuchi kanemasa saku kore

 

But i'm not very good in reading kanji 

[Ian B3HR2UH]

I don't think these were special order for those with a bit of money but rather something purchased by those who couldn't afford anything better . They really are cheap and nasty .

Ian Brooks

[Bruce Pennington]

Great sword, I like it very much.

Beautiful Tsuba.

I guess the Fuchi Kashira shows cherry blossoms to?

 

Looks absolut authentic. Please give the leather some care with leatherfat.

 

A perfect example of a civillian employee sword. 

 

compare it here.

http://ohmura-study.net/728.html

That was interesting to read Ohmura's page on this, thanks Chris. He seems to claim that this configuration/pattern was a dedicated "army civilian employee" style. I wonder if that is an error in translation or if it was exactly what he meant? Other than this page, I have never seen anything or any other source calling it as such. Yet, the existance of another sword, fitted with the same style might support his claim.

[PNSSHOGUN]

Agree with Ian, the quality on these seems to be consistently quite low. An interesting example nonetheless and a good one for a complete military sword collector.

[SteveM]

天池義正作之

 

Amachi Yoshimasa saku kore

[vajo]

Ah, my first guess was right. Thanks Steve.

[Dave R]

I don't think these were special order for those with a bit of money but rather something purchased by those who couldn't afford anything better . They really are cheap and nasty .

Ian Brooks

 

 I am inclined to agree, the fuchi-kashira on my example are thin stamped brass... nice menuki though as far as can be seen. One day perhaps a catalogue will turn up with prices.

 

 I increasing suspect that they are just civilian mounts for Showa era katana, pressed into service when the owner got drafted.