mjp01 Posted April 27 Report Posted April 27 I am interested in more information on a Japanese sword I recently acquired through my family. I've attached some pictures. I assume it is likely a WWII era factory made sword but I know very little about identifying these. Any help is appreciated. Mike Quote
Conway Posted April 27 Report Posted April 27 Hello Mike, It’s signed “Echigo no kuni Mitsuoki”. Mitsuoki is the following smith: “MITSUOKI (光起), Shōwa (昭和, 1926-1989), Niigata – “Echigo no Kuni Nuttari- jūnin Endō Mitsuoki” (越後国沼垂住人遠藤光起), “Echigo no Kuni Endō Mitsuoku” (越後国遠藤光起), real name Endō Jinsaku (遠藤仁作), born October 1st 1904, he was basically a self-taught smith but studied from 1935 in Tōkyō at the Nihontō Tanren Denshūjo(日本刀鍛錬伝習所) under Kurihara Hikosaburō Akihide (栗原彦三郎昭秀), he won several prices and made 1939 some blades for the 700th anniversary of the death of Emperor Gotoba (後鳥羽), he lived in Nishiumakoshi (西馬越) in Niigata Prefecture, in 1981 he became mukansa and died in 1997, kihin-jōi (Akihide), Special Honor Seat at the 6th Shinsaku Nihontō Denrankai (新作日本刀展覧会, 1941).” It’s dated 1944. It looks like a nice traditionally made sword. Not a factory made sword. 3 Quote
Marcin Posted April 27 Report Posted April 27 (edited) Tassel have some wrapper. What exactly You mean by acquired through family? If this was inherited someone probably bought it after ww2. So it have „factory new” tassel with renovated koshirae? Is there any hot stamp (kokuin)? example from 1943 https://www.aoijapan.net/katana-echigo-kuni-mitsuoki/#google_vignette Edited April 27 by Rawa 1 Quote
BANGBANGSAN Posted April 27 Report Posted April 27 極月Gokugatsu= The last month of the year (December). 3 Quote
John C Posted April 27 Report Posted April 27 Mike: Very nice Kai gunto (sword in naval mounts) with a nicely cut signature. Polish looks nice as well. Nothing else to do with it other than take care of it! John C. Quote
Kiipu Posted April 28 Report Posted April 28 16 hours ago, BANGBANGSAN said: 極月 Gokugatsu = The last month of the year (December). I do not recall running into that character before on a sword. Thanks for bringing it to our attention. Quote
Bruce Pennington Posted April 28 Report Posted April 28 Mike, Welcome to NMB! You can read up on your Navy sword (kaigunto) on Ohmura's site: Naval Officer Swords Care and cleaning tips: Japanese Sword Care - Japaneseswordindex.com 2 Quote
Michaelr Posted April 28 Report Posted April 28 Very nice one. Treat it well and enjoy it. MikeR Quote
mjp01 Posted April 28 Author Report Posted April 28 Thanks for the information. Very helpful. This has sparked my interest. Quote
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