Sword in Naval Mounts

[drbvac]

Some time ago as part of a package of many edged weapons, I got a sword in gunto naval mounts ( black saya etc) and covered in grease. I cleaned it with solvent and it actually looks pretty good. It is signed Hirata Hidemitsu, and has no arsenal or acceptance marks, so I think it is gendaito. Thought I would run it by here before I posted pics, to see if anyone has heard or knows of the smith?

[SwordGuyJoe]

Tough to say on the gendaito front without pics. Slough's Gendai Tosho List lists a hidemitsu rated 1M yen, but when I check Hawley's (Listed as HID 86 and HID 89), it lists the mei as "Shinmei Nyudo (Fujiwara) Hidemitsu" and "Shinmei Nyudo Hidemitsu" respectively. I also checked "Swordsmiths of Japan 1926 - 1945," by Fuller and Gregory and he wasn't there either. Also, no joy on the Oshigata Website either. I did find one Hidemitsu in the list of Seki school smiths in Kapp and Yoshihara's "Modern Japanese Swords and Swordsmiths." May not be your guy, but looking at the hamon should be a good indicator as most seki smiths forged in roughly similar styles (opening myself up to criticism there).

 

Maybe if you post some photos we can help point you to your guy, but honestly maybe not. A lot of smiths are undocumented and I am only looking in five places.

[drbvac]

Thanks Joe! I couldn't find any others either but I may post some pics for others additional comments and/or advice. I normally don't get many gunto but this came with several others that I got for a deal, basically this was thrown in cause it looked awful covered in grease or cosmoline!

[Jacques]

Hi,

 

 

According this list, Hirata Hidemitsu was a seki smith.

[drbvac]

Here are some pictures - feel free to relocate this to military if you wish, but I believe it is gendaito as the hamon doesnt look oil quenched. I " think" the mei reads Hirata Hidemitsu but stand to be corrected. Anyone collects such creatures send me a pm and I may sell it