Help with identifying makers marks on WW2 sword

[burningspike]

This was part of the collection that my grandfather brought back after the war. I'm trying to learn as much as possible about it, where it is from and, who it was made by.

[Ray Singer]

天照山作 - Tenshozan saku

https://www.google.c...yD_EQ0pQJKAB6BAgBEAI

[rebcannonshooter]

Hi Scott,  As Ray said your sword is signed Tenshozan which is the name of a forge.  The sword is stainless steel, and is in WW2 Naval officer's mounts.  The sword is missing its Tsuba (sword guard) and two Daiseppa (large decorative washers that look like sun rays, on each side of the Tsuba).  The Saya (scabbard) is wrapped in shark skin with black lacquer applied to it.

 

Tom

[Bruce Pennington]

Read this to learn about kaigunto, or Navy Officer swords:

Navy commissioned officers Shin-Guntō 1937 (Type Tachi Guntō) (ohmura-study.net)

and here:

https://www.warrelic...w-navy-gunto-678705/

 

There's a little bit about Tenshozan here:

「天照山鍛錬場作」・「無名」関刻印 "Tenshōzan Forging Workshop Saku", "Seki inspection mark" (ohmura-study.net)

 

The blade is the WWII Japanese version of stainless steel.  You can read some about that here:

耐錆鋼刀 Stainless steel sword (ohmura-study.net)

[Guest Simon R]

15 hours ago, rebcannonshooter said:

The sword is missing its Tsuba (sword guard) and two Daiseppa (large decorative washers that look like sun rays, on each side of the Tsuba).  
 

Tom

Hi Scott,

 

Nice sword!

Further to what Tom says, these are the missing parts from your grandfather's sword.

If you want to go the extra mile for sentimental reasons, these parts do turn up on Japanese auction sites like Yahoo auctions.

All the best,

Simon

[DTM72]

39 minutes ago, Simon R said:

 

Those are the upgraded option for the rayed dai-seppa. Would love to have a set that looked like that!

[Guest Simon R]

9 minutes ago, DTM72 said:

 

Those are the upgraded option for the rayed dai-seppa. Would love to have a set that looked like that!

May as well show him the best!

[Kiipu]

Hi Scott, Tenshōzan made blades are dated up until about October 1943.  As your sword is undated, it was likely made after October 1943.  At an even later date, the blades are completely unmarked with the exception of the anchor stamp.  So I would say your blade was probably made in 1944.

天照山作 = Tenshōzan saku.

 

There are only two reported swords with this signature style.  The other one can be seen at the link below.

http://cb1100f.b10.c...p/collection2_m.html

[mecox]

Scott, for some background to Tenshozan and more examples:   

 

[burningspike]

Thank you all for you help and the information. It was informative and exceptionally interesting. Would any of you know what it would be worth in the condition it is in?

[Bruce Pennington]

Hard to say. Not often one sees one of these for sale missing hand guard. An intact one can sell around $2000. Hi, personally, would still put this one around $1,000 to $1,500.  But that’s just a wild guess.