Mr

[Moto]

Hi there was wondering if anyone could give me some info on a sword I’ve just got? Thanks.   

[ROKUJURO]

Hi Skywalker,

the photos of the tang (probably signed KANEMICHI) are upside-down, so a bit difficult to read. It looks like a wartime (SHOWA period, 1944) blade, but without seeing the blade up close, we cannot say much more. 

[Moto]

Hi there, thanks for reply, here are some more pics

[Geraint]

Hello Moto!

 

Sorry Luke, couldn't resist. Your sword is a Shingunto and the blade seems to be contemporary with the mount so a WWII blade and mounts.  Have a good look at the tang, see if you can see a small stamped mark anywhere, I can't from the photographs you have given so far.  Somewhat unusually it is signed tachi mei, this is not unheard of but is a little out of the ordinary.  The two kanji are the smiths name and the other side has the date.  I think the smith is Kinmichi.  I have taken the liberty of posting the photographs right way up.

 

 

 

The blade is clean but has had some rusting which someone has removed, essentially that will make all the details very hard to see.

 

Others will chime in but depending on where in the UK you are I am sure one of our members would be happy to take a look for you and offer some more information.

 

All the best.

 

 

[Lareon]

It's here.

Nagoya arsenal.

 

Holt's auction right?

 

[Geraint]

Good spot, Tony!

 

All the best.

[Bruce Pennington]

January 1944, Kinmichi, small "Na" stamp of the Nagoya Army Arsenal Instspectors.  Type 98 Japanese Army officer gunto.

[Moto]

On 12/14/2021 at 12:21 AM, Moto said:

 

 

[Moto]

Thanks very much geraint,tony and Bruce really appreciate it . Geraint when you say it’s unusually signed tachi Mei? What do you mean? Would this be traditionaly made ? Thanks again.

 

 

[Lareon]

4 minutes ago, Moto said:

Thanks very much geraint,tony and Bruce really appreciate it . Geraint when you say it’s unusually signed tachi Mei? What do you mean? Would this be traditionaly made ? Thanks again.

 

 

 

It simply means the signature is on the opposite side compared to a normal katana mei. a tachi would usually be worn facing downwards where as a katana facing upwards so the mei would be on the opposite side. 

 

 

[Moto]

4 minutes ago, Lareon said:

 

It simply means the signature is on the opposite side compared to a normal katana mei. a tachi would usually be worn facing downwards where as a katana facing upwards so the mei would be on the opposite side. 

 

 

Ah ok thanks again tony, 

 

[Moto]

So would this sword of been hand made ? Thanks.

[Lareon]

fully traditionally no.

by hand? yes it was made by the smith on the nakago. 

 

the nagoya arsenal stamp is an indicator that it isnt a traditionally made blade. you do get the nagoya stamp as well as a star stamp which is the exception but you're in another price bracket then.

 

it's still a nice sword though and has a nice quirk with the tachi mei

[Moto]

It is a nice sword, I’m so pleased I’ve managed to get one have been looking and trying for a while but availability or cost have scuppered me each chance it seams.. not sure of many places to look for them to be honest?? Where do you guys buy and sell from…