ARMY MOUNT WAKASASHI- SHIN SHINTO PERIOD ?

[Dogditcher]

Listed as 

ARMY MOUNT WAKASASHI 20 3/4 SHINTO/MUMEI

SHIN SHINTO PERIOD/Mumei 

 

 

As always Translation and any information is appreciated

                          Enjoy-Thanks Steve

 

 

[Dogditcher]

[Dogditcher]

 

[ROKUJURO]

Steve,

generally, there were no military WAKIZASHI as far as I know. This is probably an older (pre-WWII) blade mounted with a civilian TSUBA (photo upside down) for military use. Spelling: It is WAKIZASHI.

[Bruce Pennington]

The nihonto guys will step up with an age estimate.  Nice blade!

 

The listing is correct, however, that it's an old blade re-mounted for WWII, company grade officer tassel.  WWII era waki made for the war did exist, but rare.  Discussions showing them can be found on NMB.

[Rawa]

8 hours ago, ROKUJURO said:

Steve,

generally, there were no military WAKIZASHI as far as I know. This is probably an older (pre-WWII) blade mounted with a civilian TSUBA (photo upside down) for military use. Spelling: It is WAKIZASHI.

I red that tankers and pilots were having short swords

[ROKUJURO]

As Bruce mentions above, you sometimes encounter shorter WWII blades, but as far as I know they were made on an individual basis. But I am not a military man; the experts will be able to reply in detail!

[Scogg]

The idea that WW2 fitted Wakizashi, or shorter blades, were "Tank/pilot/submarine" swords is a misnomer. There is not documented wartime information that confirms this theory as far as I know. 

I'm sure it happened, but it was by no means a standard or military issued regulation - and every short sword in war mounts was likely NOT used for tank/pilot/submarine operators. It is often used as a descriptor in FOR SALE listings - as an overly romanticized draw to unbeknownst collectors. Like Jean said, these shorter swords were just fitted on an individual basis. Their length was not tied to any specific military role. 

Very cool sword. Blade is definitely older. Could we get a photograph of the blade sugata without habaki?
I suspect late Muromachi period (just a guess).
All the best,
-Sam
 

[Mikaveli]

9 hours ago, ROKUJURO said:

Steve,

generally, there were no military WAKIZASHI as far as I know. This is probably an older (pre-WWII) blade mounted with a civilian TSUBA (photo upside down) for military use. Spelling: It is WAKIZASHI.

 

There were military swords (collected, possibly manufactured) from 54.5cm and longer.

 

Now, from a strict definitions perspective these were not "wakizashi" (i.e. companion swords to another blade).

[Brian]

1 hour ago, Rawa said:

I red that tankers and pilots were having short swords

Been proven to be false. There were no specific "tankers" or "pilots" swords.

[Dogditcher]

1 hour ago, Scogg said:

 

 

1 hour ago, Scogg said:

Very cool sword. Blade is definitely older. Could we get a photograph of the blade sugata without habaki?
I suspect late Muromachi period (just a guess).
All the best,
-Sam

 

Thanks Everyone -will grab more pics next time i am there-As far as WAKASASHI/WAKIZASHI My bad i just wrote what  was listed

Here is correct orientation for tsuba -for some reason it switched on me

 

 

 

I Think the next sword has a  Kojima Katsumasa Stamp if i did my  homework -Enjoy

[ROKUJURO]

Steve, 

 

probably not a stamp but a chiseled signature?

[Kiipu]

Spartancrest might be able to help with the tsuba (crossguard) identification.

[Bruce Pennington]

4 hours ago, Rawa said:

tankers and pilots were having short swords

Marcin,

Some helpful reading:

and

 

 

[Rawa]

I know that shorter swords weren't norm. But they do exist. 

[Spartancrest]

9 hours ago, Kiipu said:

tsuba (crossguard) identification.

https://www.jauce.com/auction/p1182666197   A rather "primitive" form of 'hot stamp' decoration likely to do with Tempo type guards? The fukurin added much later to dress the design up. There tends to be a lot with this Chrysanthemum or star punch design - very irregular and there is not a lot of consistency with the punch depths. Gives you the impression of somewhat hurried manufacture. Early Edo ? 

Another https://www.ebay.com/itm/405453746331      Close design but without the added fukurin  [asking price is a little high in my opinion ]

 

 Similar attached to a Wakizashi here.   https://www.paulbert-serpette.com/en/catalog/categories/ancient-weapons/Japanese-sword-wakisashi-Japan-edo-period-1603-1868-0 

 

Reddit has some orientation problem! 

 

Hope this gives you something as a reference. 

 

[Rawa]

11 hours ago, Rawa said:

I know that shorter swords weren't norm. But they do exist. 

https://www.ebay.pl/itm/226735525680?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=4908-175131-2357-0&ssspo=aj6v6l0tQNq&sssrc=4429486&ssuid=jrSzcucxTf-&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY

55 cm with seki stamp running right now. 

[Dogditcher]

 

On 5/5/2025 at 12:45 PM, Scogg said:

Very cool sword. Blade is definitely older. Could we get a photograph of the blade sugata without habaki?
I suspect late Muromachi period (just a guess).
All the best,
-Sam

 

 

Sam finally got some blade pics-thanks 

 

 

[Scogg]

Thanks for those photos Steve,
 

While I am no expert, and being able to identify Mumei blades is challenging for me. It REALLY reminds me of a Type 98 Sue Bizen (late muromachi period, bizen school) blade that I once owned. Below are photos of the one that I had. I sold it a while back. 

Therefore, I'd put my money on Sue Bizen, .
https://nihonto.com/a-brief-study-of-bizen-blades-of-the-muromachi-era/

Other, more experienced opinions may vary,
-Sam

Edited May 16 by Scogg
Typo