Info on sword smith Yoshida Katsunori

[Minseito1941]

Can anyone send a photo of the books page for Yoshida Katsunori? (勝則吉田) His mei is 烏城鍛刀舎勝則作 and he was an RJT smith. Thank you

[Minseito1941]

Sloughs book*

[francois2605]

There is no such swordsmith in the book.

 

[PNSSHOGUN]

The only listed Katsunori is a Seki Kaji Tosho:

 

勝則 (Katsunori)

北川 勝一

[Bruce Pennington]

I see him on the RJT list of Japaneseswordindex.  

Here's what is in Sesko's list:

KATSUNORI (勝則), Shōwa (昭和, 1926-1989), Tottori – “Katsunori” (勝則), family name Yoshida (吉田), rikugun-jumei-tōshō

 

@Minseito1941, Don, do you have one of his blades?  I only have a Feb '45 of his in my chart but I don't have photos, or a reference to that blade.

[Minseito1941]

I have one of his July 1943 blades in type 98 fittings

[Bruce Pennington]

17 minutes ago, Minseito1941 said:

I have one of his July 1943 blades in type 98 fittings

Is it star-stamped?  If so, can I get photos for the files?

[Minseito1941]

I don’t think it is star stamped

[Minseito1941]

 

[Minseito1941]

[Bruce Pennington]

Thanks Don.  If there was one, the corrosion has it covered.

[BANGBANGSAN]

21 hours ago, Minseito1941 said:

 

After checking Steve's post, the mei should be 鳥城鍛刀舎勝則作。

[Minseito1941]

Is that really what it says? The kanji look different

[BANGBANGSAN]

1 hour ago, BANGBANGSAN said:

 

After checking Steve's post, the mei should be 鳥城鍛刀舎勝則作。

Similar to this one

 

[Minseito1941]

So it’s made with tanahagane and not yasugi steel then right?

 

[SteveM]

No, I think this one is clearly made with something other than tamahagane. This sword was made in the same location where the Yasuki steel foundry is located (Tottori Prefecture), so I think there is a high chance the "special steel" mentioned in the mei is Yasuki steel.

 

 

[Minseito1941]

I don’t see anything bringing up special steel in the mei but I’m only good with hanzi 

[SteveM]

Ah - apologies, I was confusing this one with another sword that had 特殊鋼 (special steel) in the mei. You're right, this one makes no mention of special steel, so allow me to revise my earlier comment and say that it could indeed by forged with tamahagane. 

[Minseito1941]

Could you get a rough estimate on how much this nihonto is worth?

[SteveM]

I'm not too much into militaria, so there will be dissenting opinions, I'm sure, but in general these WW2 swords, regardless of whether they are made with tamahagane or some other steel, are generally worth around US$1000, with the price increasing depending on the rarity and the condition of the sword. Yours has a slightly interesting mei, so it should be worth more than US$1000 if it is in good condition. If the accompanying koshirae is also in good condition, add another US$1000 to the value, especially if all the parts have matching numbers.  

 

If there is anything unique about the ensemble - for example an Iida latch on the koshirae, or intact tassel - it will be very interesting to collectors, and will be worth maybe 2x or 3x the above.  

[Minseito1941]

Ok thank you, it has an intact tassel and a silver habaki as well. The tassel however is a gold/yellow one 

[PNSSHOGUN]

Hi Don, can you please show the tassel and rest of the mounts. Gold or yellow would indicate General officer rank. 

[Minseito1941]

 

[Bruce Pennington]