jsmbmarshall Posted June 27, 2011 Report Posted June 27, 2011 Hello. I got a Japanese Katana Sword from my great grandfather from World War 2, and it has some Japanese markings I was wondering if someone could translate them for me. Also, if anyone knows any information about them to help me better understand my sword. Thanks! John Quote
jsmbmarshall Posted June 27, 2011 Author Report Posted June 27, 2011 Yeah I will soon, my picture sizes are too big for the site so I'm trying to figure out how to downgrade the quality so I can upload them. Quote
jsmbmarshall Posted June 27, 2011 Author Report Posted June 27, 2011 These aren't the best pictures, but they work. I'll add more in a minute. Quote
Surfson Posted June 28, 2011 Report Posted June 28, 2011 It looks to me like Akitoshi, and then a date of showa 20, which seems kind of late (1946). Quote
george trotter Posted June 28, 2011 Report Posted June 28, 2011 I looked him up...he is Akitoshi as stated, and his personal name details are Ono Yuichi...he started making military swords at Seki on 17/11/1943. Nothing else known. Quote
jsmbmarshall Posted June 28, 2011 Author Report Posted June 28, 2011 Thank you for the new knowledge! Now, another question. Is there anything to put on the blade or any way of cleaning it to help preserve it and keep it from rusting further? John Quote
jsmbmarshall Posted June 28, 2011 Author Report Posted June 28, 2011 We have another sword maybe someone can help us identify as well? Let me know what you think! Warmest regards, John Quote
Grey Doffin Posted June 28, 2011 Report Posted June 28, 2011 The 2nd sword is signed Yoshimune and dated Showa Ni Ju Nen Roku Gatsu (June of 1945). Looks like the Showa and Seki Arsenal stamps. Here is an online care and etiquette brochure that will show you how to care for these. http://www.nbthk-ab.org/Etiquette.htm About all you can do for the rust is put some machine oil on it. Don't attempt any amateur repairs; you'll only dig a deeper hole. Grey Quote
Grey Doffin Posted June 29, 2011 Report Posted June 29, 2011 Yes; I agree: Yoshitada. Best not to hurry, Grey Quote
jsmbmarshall Posted June 29, 2011 Author Report Posted June 29, 2011 What is the "mei?" Yoshitada is the maker/manufacturer, or what? Thank you! Quote
Grey Doffin Posted June 29, 2011 Report Posted June 29, 2011 Mei means signature. Yoshitada is the name that the man who made this sword chose to sign with, not necessarily his real name. You could say it's an art name. Grey Quote
Stephen Posted June 30, 2011 Report Posted June 30, 2011 from the chippy mei id say it was done by a factory worker who was churing them out. Quote
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