Really? Translated by well known Japanese swordsmith.

[Kiipu]

@mecox As always, keeping your better interests in mind, I am forwarding you a new addition for your naval monograph.  Hope your sitting down for this one!

ww2 Japanese sword navy shingunto

[Kiipu]

A little missive about Japanese versus Chinese characters.  Pay attention to the second character in navy below and compare it to the sword above.  Hum, I wonder what neck of the woods this sword is from?  Hopefully, Mal will enlighten us all about the rarity of this one.

Japanese:  海軍 Kaigun navy.

Traditional Chinese: 海軍 Hǎijūn navy.

Simplified Chinese: 海军 Hǎijūn navy.

[mecox]

Thomas, certainly a fantastic combo, with habaki dated Showa 8? (1933) and Imperial link.  Other side has "Sato Taro" in odd kanji.  Some stamp mania for @Bruce Pennington.

[Kiipu]

There you have it, a prototype naval sword that was developed in 1933 for the Emperor's eyes only and not adopted until 1937!

[PNSSHOGUN]

It was such a top secret project they couldn't risk hiring competent craftsmen to make it.

[Bugyotsuji]

5 hours ago, Kiipu said:

A little missive about Japanese versus Chinese characters.  Pay attention to the second character in navy below and compare it to the sword above.  Hum, I wonder what neck of the woods this sword is from?  Hopefully, Mal will enlighten us all about the rarity of this one.

Japanese:  海軍 Kaigun navy.

Traditional Chinese: 海軍 Hǎijūn navy.

Simplified Chinese: 海军 Hǎijūn navy.

Chinese characters were simplified like this from the 1950s.

Simplified Chinese characters - Wikipedia

[Bruce Pennington]

They put so much effort into the details, but then put Army menugi on it!  Tsk, Tsk.

 

15 hours ago, mecox said:

Some stamp mania for @Bruce Pennington.

Thanks Mal, I'll have to start a new document.  I'll call it "Stamps of the Fake Japanese Sword"!!!

[Shamsy]

On 2/26/2023 at 12:40 AM, Bruce Pennington said:

Thanks Mal, I'll have to start a new document.  I'll call it "Stamps of the Fake Japanese Sword"!!!

 

In all seriousness, Bruce, I actually think that would be quite useful. I assume you're joking though?

[Bruce Pennington]

3 hours ago, Shamsy said:

I actually think that would be quite useful.

The thought has crossed my mind a couple times.  It could be it's own section in the Stamps Doc, too.  I've collected a small few, but a good many of them are on blades that could be collaboration forces gunto.  So, I don't have a firm feel for calling them fakes.  I suppose I could still post them and describe them as "possible this or that".  The only certain fakes are ones that are acid etched on the blades with serial numbers, dates, and flags.

[Bruce Pennington]

Posting photos of the OP for later when the ebay link no longer works.

[John C]

3 hours ago, Bruce Pennington said:

The only certain fakes are ones that are acid etched on the blades with serial numbers, dates, and flags.

Here you go, if you want to start the doc.

John C.

[Bruce Pennington]

I’ve got an outline already laid out, and working on ideas in my head of what I’m going to discuss.  It will take a few days, but when I get a draft made, I’ll post it for discussion and correction.