Gunto help

[Randall Lee]

Hello everyone! This is my first post of many, I got the sword bug and I am trying to start up a collection. My very first piece I have I am having a little trouble translating the mei and date. I am a active member over at SFI and a friend suggested to me to try you guys out. Here is the link to my pics ... Could some one help me out translating this gunto for me. Maybe tell me a little about it. I am new to this so any help would be appreciated!!!

 

http://www.swordforum.com/forums/showth ... p?t=104191

[Surfson]

I am thinking Yasumune and showa ni ju nen (1946? sounds late). I could be off a bit.

[Surfson]

Make that Yasumitsu

[Randall Lee]

Hmm that is what another person posted on that thread. However this is what's confusing to me is that I thought during the occupation they were not allowed to produce swords. He also stated that there was a mino smith named yasamitsu! This is where I'm really confused lol especially since the sword is mounted in military mounts. I cannot find any arsenal stamps either .

[John A Stuart]

That was me on the other board. The nen character is written oddly so is Showa Niju Nen Ichi Gatsu which is 1945. Remember to drop one year when you add 20 to 1926. 20-1+1926=1945 John

[Randall Lee]

I just found this on this site

 

http://home.earthlink.net/~ttstein/seki.htm

 

康光 (Yasumitsu)

 

野口 照次郎

 

That looks pretty close to me. What does the second set of characters mean?

 

Also on the date what does it fully say?

[John A Stuart]

Probably Nomura Terujiro 野村 照次郎 John

[Randall Lee]

Thanks John. I also found something very interesting on the blade. Four distinct ticks marks evenly spaced on the blade about a half inch from the habaki. When I found them it sent shivers down my spine!

[Brian]

Randall,

If they are below the habaki, they are completely normal, and nothing sinister. Usually used to match up fittings with a blade, or as some production marking I think. Definitely not what you are thinking

 

Brian

[Randall Lee]

The tick marks are actually above the habaki , not the file marks on the nakago. I will post a pic of them tonight. Thanks for the reply my friend!!!