Assistance with address translation. potential important sword

[Warwick Newson]

I have randomly acquired a Shin Gunto, with the usual "it came back from Japan" story. However as I looked into it, it became apparent it could be quite significant.

I am told it was found near Ground Zero.

Can anyone translate the paper label on the side of the Saya for me?

 

Thank in advance

 

Warwick

Edited September 2 by Warwick Newson
additional data

[Rawa]

It have showa stamp. Check with Geiger sensor if you are not getting extra radiation.

[Warwick Newson]

one of my sons is ex forces radiological, biological nuclear detection engineer, and has advised. I have also checked with Geiger counter asap. 

Thank you the advice though

[SteveM]

Address is 

Hiroshima city, Asahi machi, Group 21

廣島市旭町二十一組

 

Next to that is a name

ISHIMAE something-matsu 

石前囗松　

 

Maybe the name is Sanmatsu (参松), or Hikomatsu (彦松) or something like that. 

 

Asahi-machi was about 3kms from ground zero (red circle in the map below). I'm not sure what "group 21" is. Maybe a neighborhood association. No need to worry about radiation. Most of the fallout would have dissipated (decayed) by now. I don't think there is anything left for a Geiger counter to react to. 

 

 

[Scogg]

The bomb at Hiroshima detonated high above the ground, and much of the radiation dispersed into the atmosphere rather than into the ground.

That's one reason why places like Hiroshima and Nagasaki are not irradiated zones like Chernobyl.

-Sam

[Hokke]

34 minutes ago, Scogg said:

The bomb at Hiroshima detonated high above the ground, and much of the radiation dispersed into the atmosphere rather than into the ground.

That's one reason why places like Hiroshima and Nagasaki are not irradiated zones like Chernobyl.

-Sam

Just a point of clarification, Chernobyl is more irradiated not because it was a ground explosion vs elevated, but because of the amount of fissionable materials that were released when the reactor exploded. Reactors hold thousands of pounds of fuel versus the hundred+ in the bombs. That in combination with the type of radiation released and its half life, compared to that of the bombs, is why Pripyat is still a danger zone vs Nagasaki and Hiroshima.

[John C]

Warwick:

The seki stamp would indicate it is a showa-to; meaning, not a traditionally made blade. Its importance may be related to its story rather than it being a special blade.

Here is another example of his work for comparison.

 

John C.

[Bruce Pennington]

The return address, likely done in lieu of a surrender tag, would have been the officer's home address and not likely any relation to his location when he surrendered the sword.  He could have been in Borneo for all we know.  Still quite interesting address!

 

The Showa stamp would tell us the blade was made between 1935 and 1942, with most dated blades observed being made in 1940/41.  Interestingly, the earliest observed Showa stamp with a date - 1935 - was on a Kanetaka blade!