Help with Mei Translation, Comments on Gunto & Hamon

[Klink]

Hello to the forum.  I have a couple Guntos that I am the conservator of and I am interested in the thought process for preservation.  The tang I understand should be left alone however as a firearm collector, my bottle of Hoppe's #9 is wanting to get in the game.  My interest in these is from that of a hobbiest.  I have watched about every Utoob video on polishing and although they are in great condition (IMO based on being possibly 80+ years old) I would love to try to bring out the best in them if it's not a criminal offense.   So here is a question regarding the Hamon.  Another Gunto I have is what I believe is a Rinji Seishiki and has a straight Hamon (Suguha?).  What would this style be called?  The Habaki has some symbols etched in it.  Does that identify where it was made?  The Tsuba, Seppa are filthy and my ultrasonic cleaner is calling or should I just wipe them down.  Regarding the Mei on the tang there are no markings on the mune or one side.  The other side has a Showa stamp and would appreciate the translation.  All in all, any comments would be appreciated in general.  This one is without scabbard and I would be interested in what scabbard would go with this Gunto.  I guess as a final question there is no locking mechanism and the Fuchi is plain.  Were these options or was it a matter of parts availability.  As a final note although not a Gendaito I am very impressed with the edge and polish on this gunto.  Thanks in advance.

           

[lonely panet]

showato signed 

seki shu ju ? kane hiro or shige saku

 

hamon is gunome "oilie

[Klink]

Some more detail....

[Rawa]

Saya[scabbard] was probably made of wood with leather cover and you either had seppa with clip or fuchi leather cover with clip [tsuba has exactly that opening.

Here you have entire thread about leather covers.

 

Habaki have simple rain/cat scratch pattern.

https://www.militaria.co.za/nmb/topic/32583-cat-scratch-habaki/#comments

[SteveM]

The inscription is

 

濃州関住後藤兼廣作

Nōshū Seki-jū Gotō Kanehiro saku

 

(Made by Gotō Kanehiro from Seki in Noshu province)

 

Don't worry about restoration or polishing or sharpening. The potential to ruin the sword is too great, and there will be no value added to the ensemble by making anything shiny. Beware of hucksters and self-taught polishing enthusiasts with a YouTube channel, who try to convince you that polishing swords is totally doable with ordinary household tools and products you can get from Home Depot. 

 

Maybe you can clean up a leather-covered scabbard, or very gently get some dirt out of the crevices of the tsuka and the fittings, but, honestly, I would leave the whole thing alone and resist the temptation to do anything. WW2 militaria is best left looking like it was from WW2. Swords require specialist knowledge and materials. Arsenal blades are a different subject, but I would still refrain from doing anything other than oiling them. Not sure about Hoppes #9. I'm sure there are a few on here who can comment on that.

[Rawa]

Hamon looks like gunome-midare? 

https://romanceofmen.com/blogs/katana-info/katana-hamon-learn-more-about-this-fascinating-pattern-on-the-katana-blade

 

Gunome-midare specifically

https://romanceofmen.com/pages/gunome-midare-in-Japanese-katana-terminology

[Klink]

KANEHIRO (兼広), real name Gotō Hiroyoshi (後藤広吉), born October 1st 1907 (Meiji 40), student of Katsumasa (勝正), he worked as a guntō smith.  Registered as a Seki swordsmith in Showa 14 (1939) October 26 (age 32) this was early in the war, and there were 18 registered that day.  He died in January 26th 1960 (Showa 35).   Ranked as Ryōkō no Jōi (6th of 7 levels in 1942 by Akihide from 400 swordsmiths).    Fourth Seat at the 6th Shinsaku Nihontō Denrankai exhibition (新作日本刀展覧会, 1941).  Oshigata from Slough book,  Fuller & Gregory books and Rick Stein (Sword Index)

Note:  his mei uses Kanehiro  兼廣 but newer reports use short form 兼広 which is confusing.

 

It's amazing what information lurks on this board.... Thanks for the great information from all!

 

[Bruce Pennington]

Dean,

You can read about the Showa stamp, and all the others, on my Stamps of the Japanese Sword document.  It was used by the civil Seki Cutlery Manufacturers Association from 1935 to 1942, with most seen in 1940-41, just to give you an idea of it's date range.

 

Concerning cleaning, I always disassemble my gunto, when new, and lightly clean all dirt and grime with a warm, damp cloth.  Sometimes a toothbrush helps.  You have to avoid chemical cleaners as they will remove the original finish/patina done at the factory.  Then lightly oil them before re-assembly.  As mentioned, never try to buff or polish a blade.  It will be permanent and will be visible to anyone familiar with blades.  

 

Google "Japanese Sword Cleaning kit" and you will get lots of them online at little cost.  Here is a good care and cleaning guide: Japanese Sword Care.

[Klink]

Thanks Bruce.  I found your document earlier when I was trying to figure out the stamp on the other Gunto.  So the Showa stamp was used until 1941 or there abouts.  My other Gunto / Rinji Seishiki has the Gi / Gifu stamp which would appear to also be made in Seki but much later.  Your document came in very handy!

[Bruce Pennington]

9 minutes ago, Klink said:

Showa stamp was used until 1941 or there abouts.

Yes.  Out of the 400 or so Showa stamped blades on file, only one was dated 1942.  So, it's safe to say for practical purposes, '41 was the last year they used it.

'

[Klink]

I think I have found a Saya match for this Gunto and so give me your thoughts.  (1) From the earlier comments I learned the Tsuba has the hole for a combat retention strap.  (2)  It is my opinion that the fuchi is simple as compared to the the more decorated imprinted ones or the ones with release buttons, therefore keeping with the frugal warrior concept I have read that not all Saya with combat covers had Koiguchi fittings.  (4) I understand the fitness test is that the Gunto should stay in the saya unsupported in a vertical position which this one does and the habaki fits snug.  No matter what this will protect the blade and my fingers...   Now where can you get a Combat Cover Retention strap?     

[Klink]

This is what I am looking for?

[Bruce Pennington]

Wow, you did good, Dean!  Care to share how you found a saya that fit?

Yes, that retention strap is what you need.  I have never personally seen one for sale.

[Klink]

So I guess it's a good match and thanks for the comments.  If all else fails (which is sounds like it's going to) on the retainer strap I have a custom saddle maker down the road and he made a friend a replica 1903A3 cheek rest, so I'm sure he could handle a strap... we shall see .  

 

Regarding the Saya, lets just say I have been a friend of the WWW since its creation and I have used it successfully to search for items such as this.  Heck, I found you guys!  But I do find things locally as well so check your local Facebook Marketplace, Auctions Houses, etc.  Assuming your retired and have lots of spare time on your hands!  Unfortunately most of our greatest generation have passed away and we have personally recently lost family members who served at Normandy Beach, a 1st Division / Hollywood Marine who served at Peleliu, Okinawa and China and others.  Where I live we have a large contingent of retired Military serviceman and many families are confused as what to do with items such as this as they do not want their children accidentally finding one.  I believe in history preservation and someday hope to pass it on to my Grand kids.....

[EdWolf]

Dean, In your search for a retention strap you can search for other types of retention straps as well. 

[Brian]

A very easy one for a leather guy to make.

[When Necessary]

Is getting the snap fastener to fit that's the problem.

[Klink]

Ed, I saw a retention strap like that but the photo was from a distance.  That's a perfect photo for an interpretation on dimensions.  Was the material leather, pigskin ..... It looks very soft and flexible like a deerskin.  And I suppose the snap may be interesting and that may turn into another topic of its own 

 

My concern was would that affect the Seppa and spacing.  My gunto has a full set of spacers which may suggest the strap would have been the Fuchi wrapped style.