Conway S Posted June 14 Report Share Posted June 14 I came to post about something @Bruce Pennington mentioned in the thread on tachi vs. katana mei only to find he's brought the thread over here too! I came across the following Type 19 cavalry parade sword and the maker's mark of "T" in sakura made me wonder about the practice of logo within sakura. Perhaps it's been mentioned before, but does anyone know the significance of the sakura? Could it signify "approval" or "appointment" as a contractor? I'm thinking in terms of stamps like the Ichi and Kobe on Type 95s and the one below. Conway Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bruce Pennington Posted June 14 Report Share Posted June 14 Someone like Thomas or Trystan may have insight, but I have never heard of a meaning for it's use in sword making shop logos. It is also seen with the Showa and Gifu stamps, as well as the Toyokawa Navy Arsenal stamp on everything but blade nakago. I just figured that shops were going to use some sort of design and the sakura has always been popular in Japanese culture so why not used something that customer consider attractive. You can still see it being used in modern day products. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BANGBANGSAN Posted June 16 Report Share Posted June 16 T is the abbreviation for Tomita (富田)。It should be the sword shop's name. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toryu2020 Posted June 17 Report Share Posted June 17 Stamped into a leather cover - Kiyomatsu Sei 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kiipu Posted June 21 Report Share Posted June 21 On 11/8/2023 at 7:15 AM, Bruce Pennington said: Still trying to find a discussion I recall that said the "genuine core steel" meant tamahagane. See Morita's reply. Help with translations. Please! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bruce Pennington Posted June 21 Report Share Posted June 21 11 hours ago, Kiipu said: See Morita's reply. Help with translations. Please! Thomas, In the Stamps doc, I used Slough's terminology for the stamp. Do you think Morita's should be used instead? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kiipu Posted June 21 Report Share Posted June 21 Both Morita & Moriyama sensei have translated it as "magane iri" so it would probably be best to mention both pronunciations. No shu Kane Yuki ? Sane Kin / Kawa Niu Saku? (not) 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RAJ Posted July 4 Report Share Posted July 4 Hello all - I recently bought what I think is a gunto blade in type 94 military fittings and leather covered (metal?) scabbard. The blade has a very pronounced damascus steel pattern so I was/am? concerned that this might be a chinese fake. However, the quality of the blade and fittings leads me to think that it is genuine. Interestingly, the blade exhibits a hot stamp (see photo) that I have been unable to identify in any of my books or internet. Can anybody help with identifying/translating this? thanks - Richard. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RAJ Posted July 4 Report Share Posted July 4 additional photo to above post - opposite side of tang. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RAJ Posted July 4 Report Share Posted July 4 Damascus steel pattern of blade in above described sword. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ROKUJURO Posted July 4 Report Share Posted July 4 Richard, this is indeed a non-Japanese attempt to make a blade, may that come from India, Pakistan or China (or elsewhere). The MEI is gibberish and does not have the meaning of a Japanese name. Comparing this with authentic items will show you immediately the huge differences. 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RAJ Posted July 5 Report Share Posted July 5 Thanks for that information Jean - that was my suspicion. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PNSSHOGUN Posted July 14 Report Share Posted July 14 Two stars next to an assembly number on a early Type 94, seems unique: https://buyee.jp/ite.../auction/w1143646639 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bruce Pennington Posted July 14 Report Share Posted July 14 8 hours ago, PNSSHOGUN said: Two stars Yes, quite rare. I have a couple of single stars on seppa, and I want to say I've seen a double, but I cannot find it in my files, so this is the first on file now. Here are the 2 I have: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Conway S Posted July 17 Report Share Posted July 17 Bruce, Here is another example of the STAR A on late war kai gunto fittings. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bruce Pennington Posted July 17 Report Share Posted July 17 Thanks Conway. I have seen the Star A combo, but haven't saved them to file. I'll start with this one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bruce Pennington Posted July 29 Report Share Posted July 29 We need a dedicated Zoheito thread. I looked for one, with no luck. This one has the Kokura cannon balls and "Ko" stamps, and it's got a stamped "58" at the end of the nakago, blade tip down. It's in a quite unique Type 94, with "Imperial Gift" marked on the habaki. Being sold by St. Croix Blades HERE. Oh, also had the cheveron saurte (posted already on John's thread) and tsuba marked with the Suya Shoten shop logo: @mecox @BANGBANGSAN @Kiipu @PNSSHOGUN Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mecox Posted July 30 Report Share Posted July 30 Stamps are "cannon balls" plus “ho” ホ inspection stamp of Kokura Factory No.1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bruce Pennington Posted July 30 Report Share Posted July 30 6 hours ago, mecox said: “ho” ホ Oops! Thanks Mal, files corrected. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bruce Pennington Posted August 19 Report Share Posted August 19 FYI - I have decided to release updated versions of the Stamps document on an annual basis, rather than semi-annually. New discoveries have slowed. There are a few since the Mar '24 version, but not enough to warrant a new release. Thanks to all who have contributed! 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GeorgeLuucas Posted August 20 Report Share Posted August 20 Osawa Kanehisa Showato with seki stamp and kanehisa kokuin (hot stamp). Numerals “226” found on Nakago in red paint, and matching on most of it's Type 98 fittings. I think you got this one logged on my translation thread a few weeks ago, Bruce. From Marcus Sesko's book, Japanese Swordsmiths: KANEHISA (兼久), Shōwa (昭和, 1926-1989), Gifu – “Kanehisa” (兼久), real name Ōsawa Kan´ichi (大沢勘一), born January 2nd 1915, student of Kojima Kanemichi (小島兼道), he worked as a guntō smith and died July 7th 1945. ryōkō no retsu (Akihide, skilled artisan) What I find particularly interesting, is that the smith died in 1945, at just 30 years old. I wonder how... Going to be bringing this sword to a local show this weekend for a possible sale/trade. Hoping for some luck! Cheers, -Sam 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BANGBANGSAN Posted August 20 Report Share Posted August 20 3 hours ago, GeorgeLuucas said: What I find particularly interesting, is that the smith died in 1945, at just 30 years old. I wonder how... Maybe he got killed by the air raids. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GeorgeLuucas Posted August 21 Report Share Posted August 21 20 hours ago, BANGBANGSAN said: Maybe he got killed by the air raids. That seems a likely scenario! Previously I had wondered about the possibility of suicide or hunger. I wonder how Marcus Sesko aquired his death-date, and if any other info was available. You've caused me to go down a rabbit hole of the bombing campaign in July before the big bombs were dropped; very interesting! Thank you! -Sam Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kiipu Posted August 29 Report Share Posted August 29 On 1/23/2017 at 10:54 PM, Bruce Pennington said: I think that's the same number as yours, so it most likely is a patent number and not a serial number. 實用新案特許 = jitsuyō shin'an tokkyo = Utility Model Patent. 第２１３９１７番 = No. 213917. No. = Number. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark C Posted Friday at 02:24 PM Report Share Posted Friday at 02:24 PM Hi All, Just got this Shin gunto in a black leather covered saya, Non pierced tsuba, full set of 8 seppa all with the number 25 stamped on them plus another small inspection stamp. The nakago is signed (I think) Shimada Yoshisuke. No Seki or Showa stamps The only stamp it has is a warrior stamp. For interest, Here is the Signature Hamon And finally tsuba and seppa stamps All the best 3 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kiipu Posted Friday at 05:21 PM Report Share Posted Friday at 05:21 PM "I think" your right! 島田義助作 Shimada Yoshisuke saku. The WARRIOR stamp has also been noted on blades made by Yoshichika 吉近. I think the logo could belong to a either a forge or sword retailer located in Seki. Yoshichika katana with REALLY Odd Stamp in English! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bruce Pennington Posted Saturday at 12:07 AM Report Share Posted Saturday at 12:07 AM I have 4 other Yoshisuke blades with the stamp and 1 Yoshichika, noted by Thomas above. None are dated. 3 are in kaigunto fittings, the other 2 in Type 98. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark C Posted Saturday at 08:32 AM Report Share Posted Saturday at 08:32 AM It would interesting to see the Hamon's on the Yoshisuke blades. All the best Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bruce Pennington Posted Saturday at 12:31 PM Report Share Posted Saturday at 12:31 PM Coming up, but first, that small stamp on your seppa is the Nakano Shoten logo. "Located in Tokyo, this comany was owned by Mr. Nakano. In additon to Tokyo, the company had shops in China. The company provided a full range of koshirae." 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bruce Pennington Posted Saturday at 12:40 PM Report Share Posted Saturday at 12:40 PM Ok, I only have blades of 3 of the others. Two look to be suguha hamon, but the third is almost identical to yours Suguha Didn't record source, but I think this was from AOI Art This was posted by Mathias_AC at Wehrmacht-awards Here's the one with similar hamon, found on a Komonjo sale: 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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