Theories on the mix of Western and Japanese numbers on gunto

[John C]

Hello everyone:

I am currently researching "assembly" numbers and their exact meaning and usage.

But I was struck by the usage of both Western and Japanese numbers on the same gunto fittings. Does anyone know why they would do that? I could come up with a few theories, however I am interested in what you all (ya'll) think.

Thank you for your time,

John C. 

 

[SteveM]

During the war there was a shift away from using "foreign" (aka "enemy") words, and to replace them with Japanese words. Baseball (ベースボール) became yakyū (野球 = field ball), etc... I can imagine that as the war dragged on there may have been a similar shift away from western/arabic numerals to kanji. 

 

[John C]

2 hours ago, SteveM said:

During the war there was a shift away from using "foreign" (aka "enemy") words, and to replace them with Japanese words. Baseball (ベースボール) became yakyū (野球 = field ball), etc... I can imagine that as the war dragged on there may have been a similar shift away from western/arabic numerals to kanji.

I was wondering the same thing. Why would they use the language of the "enemy"? But your idea does give me something else to track...are western style numbers seen earlier, later, or all through out the war. 

Thank you,

John C.

[SteveM]

They were in use constantly from about the 1870s. They were taught in schools and used for calculations since Meiji, so there was no great effort to curb the use of western numerals during the war. I doubt they were even seen as "foreign" by that time. I just feel that some sword shops preferred to use kanji numerals, appealing to their (or their customers') sense of patriotism. 

 

[John C]

Makes sense. On my type 98, all of the fittings have beautifully stamped kanji numbers except the one part that is hidden. The wooden saya insert has the Western numbers.

John C.