Hiratoshi saku ??

[dwmc]

Hiratoshi saku? is the inscription on one the Kai-gunto swords in my collection. Until recently, I just assumed it was the signature of a sword smith whom at least had something to do with the construction of the blade at the Toyokawa naval arsenal. The name appears in Ohmura's Gunto site, as well as Mr. Malcolm Cox's recent article regarding Kai-gunto naval swords. In Mr. Cox's article (which is excellent) the Hiratoshi kanji is listed as possibly Hei Shun saku, Taira Shun saku, or Taira Toshi saku. Would anyone happen to have any idea of which is correct translation ???

 

Any information (even speculative) would be greatly appreciated...

 

Dave M.

[Nobody]

Its preferred reading is Hiratoshi.

[dwmc]

23 minutes ago, Nobody said:

Its preferred reading is Hiratoshi.

 

Excellent, Thank you !

 

[Nobody]

However, that also reads Tsunetoshi or Sanetoshi.

Only the person himself knows the correct reading.

 

[dwmc]

10 hours ago, Nobody said:

However, that also reads Tsunetoshi or Sanetoshi.

Only the person himself knows the correct reading.

 

 

Interesting...two more variants ! I think I'll assume it's intention was the preferred reading as you suggested being "Hiratoshi."

 

Thank you again Moriyma !

[Bruce Pennington]

Dave,

Any numbers or other stamps on this nakago?  Could I get a shot of the nakago full length, for the files?

[dwmc]

On 9/7/2021 at 7:33 AM, Bruce Pennington said:

Dave,

Any numbers or other stamps on this nakago?  Could I get a shot of the nakago full length, for the files?

 

These are photo's I have on file Bruce, I can take others if you would like. Yes, there is a number 2 also stamped on the nakago.

 

Dave M.

[Bruce Pennington]

Thanks Dave, quite interesting.  This is one of those that mystifies me.  Painted numbers, which should be from the fitting shop to match up the koshirae pieces, so what is the stamped number?  Do any of the metal fittings have numbers?

 

Here is another of his, almost identical, but with a stamped number up in the mei:

 

[Stephen]

Tks for sharing, one of the nicest cut mei on Navy SS blade I've ever seen.

[dwmc]

Yes, all of the seppa and tsuba have the matching number of 98.

 

Don't have a clue of what the stamped numbers on the nakago's 

could be, possibly Stephen or one of the other members may know or

at least have an idea...

 

Dave M.

[Stephen]

Don't have a clue of what the stamped numbers on the nakago's 

 

Ah that would be Bruce 

[Bruce Pennington]

14 hours ago, dwmc said:

all of the seppa and tsuba have the matching number of 98.

Just as I suspected!  See, even the stamped numbers on the kaigunto are something other than fitter shop numbers.  The painted 98 on your blade matches the fittings, so that number is the fitter shop numbering.  The "2" on the blade is something else, yet to be determined.  In the case of the stamped numbers on RJT blades, I personally believe it is put there by the Army, reasons still unknown.  George Trotter is currently leaning toward a polisher stamp.

 

Thanks for the update.