Another old sword magazine.

[Hector]

Yesterday I scored another vintage Japanese magazine about swords.

Basically, I know it's from Showa 8 and I recognised one of the photographs as being from the Yasukuni Shrine but, that aside, I have very little idea what it's actually about (apart from swords).

I'm including the seller's photos because I've discovered that I am absolutely awful at taking my own (of blades, books - basically anything). 🥴

 

Best,

Hector

[Baka Gaijin]

日本刀劍の研究

Nihon Token No Kenkyu

 

Literally Research into Japanese Swords

[John C]

Hector:

Does it say who these smiths are?

 

John C.

[Hector]

43 minutes ago, John C said:

Hector:

Does it say who these smiths are?

 

John C.

Hi John,

 

I haven't received it yet so I can't confirm the caption underneath. However, this is the photo that I felt sure was of a Yasukuni smith. It looked very similar to a shot I saw in Tom Kishida's book and Showa 8 is 1933, which is when the Yasukuni forge started up so it would make sense.

 

i'll let you know as soon as I have the magazine in hand.

 

Best,

Hector

[Kinoko Suzuki]

The text reads（中央）日本刀鍛錬會主事倉田海軍大佐（左）同顧問安來製鋼所長工藤工學博士。

I have rearranged the order of the text to make it easier to read.
I hope you find this useful.

[Baka Gaijin]

1 hour ago, Kinoko Suzuki said:

中央）日本刀鍛錬會主事倉田海軍大佐（左）同顧問安來製鋼所長工藤工學博士。

Center) Director of the Japanese Sword Forging Association, Naval Captain Kurata (left) Advisor, Dr. Kudo, Director of the Anki Steel Works.

[Kinoko Suzuki]

I discovered that this text is available in the National Diet Library Digital Archive.

鍛錬會の刀匠宮口靖廣氏鍛錬の図

雄山閣編輯局 編『日本刀剣の研究』第1輯,雄山閣,昭和9. 国立国会図書館デジタルコレクション https://dl.ndl.go.jp/pid/1213283 (参照 2026-03-26)

 

I therefore believe this was taken whilst master swordsmith Yasuhiro Miyaguchi was forging.
My previous translation was of a different caption. My apologies.