Shinogi ji inscription Gunto: 盡忠報國

[Rawa]

I know that blade shouldn't have writings but in this case what You think?

Elongated habaki? Fat tsuba with centered chuso, mumei.

Looks solid and well maintained.

Translated as "country of good faith" - Bizen reference? Maybe one of donated swords?

https://www.liveauctioneers.com/item/228562547_japanese-shin-gunto-katana-fairfield-me

[Rawa]

Only 2 seppa, but habaki looks legit - copper in silver foil.

[Bruce Pennington]

It's not "standard" to see writing on the blade, but we see it now and then.  There is one over on the Translation forum, now, with the smith's name on the blade.  

 

As for this sword, at casual glance it seems legit.

 

Edit: Found it - Translation Requested - Volker

Yasukuni

[Rawa]

Thank You Bruce. It's great to have you here.

My first example have spots of black rust in mei carvings so even more convincing.

 

Oh I found this phrase ;]

""Loyalty to the Country" (simplified Chinese: 精忠报国; traditional Chinese: 精忠報國; pinyin: Jīngzhōng bàoguó) is a Chinese patriotic song paying tribute to the Han general Yue Fei, a popular Chinese folk hero. The name of the song refers to a phrase tattooed on the back of Yue Fei, and a mantra with which he is commonly identified. The lyrics of the song allude to the Jin–Song Wars, in which Yue Fei played a pivotal role."

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Loyalty_to_the_Country

 

 

I would like to add another find here and maybe another thread will grow.

But still I'm not certain if this new example is genuine due to nakago being worked.

 

https://pre98.com/shop/mon-jan-30-important-fantastic-Japanese-army-colonels-shin-gunto-sword-with-elaborate-ultra-rare-double-blade-inscription-extremely-rare-a-huge-big-deal-Japanese-sword/

But 

Edited April 17 by Rawa

[Kiipu]

Nelson, Andrew N., and John H. Haig. The New Nelson Japanese-English Character Dictionary. Charles E. Tuttle Company, 1997. Page 352.

 

盡忠報國 or 尽忠報国 = jinchū-hōkoku = loyalty and patriotism.

[Rawa]

10 hours ago, Kiipu said:

盡忠報國 = jinchū hōkoku = loyalty and patriotism.

Thanks Thomas!

Have You ever met similar example?

 

[Kiipu]

I do not recall running across 盡忠報國 being engraved on a blade before.

[Conway]

Here’s one that was previously posted on NMB. Might be the exact same sword, although the scabbard in the auction link looks more brown than green:

 

 

[Bruce Pennington]

They are the same blade & habaki.  Heavily cleaned for this auction.  @Mark is this still your sword?  Just curious.

[Mark]

Don’t think it’s the same sword. I sold it a couple of years ago in Vegas I think 

[Bruce Pennington]

Glad it's not yours or that you did the cleaning.  And it really isn't critical.  I'm just sitting with nothing better to do at the moment.  Look at the 2 ware on the edges:

[Rawa]

Same elongated habaki guys. Same ware. It sold for 950$. Bruce You killed it right away.

[BANGBANGSAN]

16 hours ago, Kiipu said:

I do not recall running across 盡忠報國 being engraved on a blade before.

盡忠報國 on the tang

 

[Rawa]

@Scogg Sam could you add „盡忠報國” to this thread title? 
Easier to search for.

[Bruce Pennington]

This blade has the name of a Buddhist god "Daimyōjin".  On a blade owned by @PNSSHOGUN John:

[PNSSHOGUN]

Hi Bruce, the full inscription reads 夛賀大明神 - Taga Daimyōjin and the blade was made in the mid 1930's by Kojima Kanetoki. 

 

 

[Rawa]

6 hours ago, PNSSHOGUN said:

Hi Bruce, the full inscription reads 夛賀大明神 - Taga Daimyōjin and the blade was made in the mid 1930's by Kojima Kanetoki. 

 

 

Another sword of Kanemichi but with a lot of info including Slough’s page and nice picture of him and Kensei Nakayama Hakudo.
 

https://www.samuraisword.com/gallery/swords/kojima-kanemichi-ww-ii-naval-officers-sword/
 

[Bruce Pennington]

Here's one of FB.  "Kill the enemy, Serve the nation", with Buddhist symbols of peach and pearl: