Toshinaga (Jumyo) 1941 - just to share for info

[Erwin]

Good day to you all,

 

Recently came across this sword which was made in 1941. The blade itself comes from the era but the mountings seems to be a mix of late Edo and WO2 add-ons. The tsuba, tsuka and green type Ito at least I would think.

You would kind of think the oposite as benchmark, an older blade fitted with in WO2 style. Could it be that an older family blade was replaced with a less expensive version to take to war? just guessing here…..

 

Anyhow, thought I would shere some pictures for you info.

 

best regards and have a great remainder of the day

 

Erwin

[Bruce Pennington]

Your guess is as good as any Erwin.  We've been learning a little more about the vast number of private swords shops operating during the war, so it's also possible a shop owner obtained this blade and fitted it out like this.

 

I see it's Showa-stamped.  The date puzzles me, though.  The first two kanji aren't what I'm used to seeing.  Does anyone understand these?  Why are they called 'showa'.  The numbers fit for a 1941 date, but I don't get those first kanji at all.

[Kiipu]

The sword is a typical commercial sword sold to civilians during this time frame.  Civilians wanted "samurai" style swords and not guntō style swords.  Many of these swords ended up getting "drafted" [conscripted] into the military at a later date.

寿命十六年

[Bruce Pennington]

7 hours ago, Kiipu said:

寿命

How does this equate to "showa"?

[David Flynn]

Bruce, those Kanji, say Jumyo.

 

[Bruce Pennington]

2 hours ago, David Flynn said:

those Kanji, say Jumyo.

Oh, got it, thanks David!  So the posted pics don't show the date.  I'll file them with the text stating the date.

[IJASWORDS]

KATO JUMYO made some nice traditionally made Gendai swords. One of mine with the mei, KATO JUMYO, and probably a special order, with a poem by Rai San'Yo .

Rough translation ... "Even when you are in the deepest swamp, you are obliged to your country". In '98 mounts. Nice hada and hamon.  

[David Flynn]

Lovely sword Neil, reminds me of Oie Bizen.

[dwmc]

6 hours ago, Bruce Pennington said:

Oh, got it, thanks David!  So the posted pics don't show the date.  I'll file them with the text stating the date.

 

The date is there Bruce, it just doesn't have the normal Showa characters we usually associate with date inscriptions.

Apparently the Jyu Roku Nen is just a given for the Showa period in this case.

 

Get well soon,

 

Dave M.