Shin Gunto Translation (non-commercial)

[ohshid]

Hello. I would like some help getting a little more information on a Japanese WW2-era sword. I've spent a few hours today looking around on my own, so here's a little back story and my ill-informed thoughts. My terminology will likely be no where correct, so my apologies

My great grandfather was a U.S. Senator and received a Japanese sword as a gift from Douglas MacArthur. I found the sword listed in an appraisal from the early '70s, but it didn't really give me any additional information besides confirmation on it's authenticity and mentioning a gold mark that signifies rank. I failed to find any information on that, but i'm thinking it may be the text included in the first picture (most of the other details on the hilt appear to be cherry blossoms, and are more of a bronze color, this is just speculation but possibly the text is in white gold?).

I have looked at a few low quality pictures of the hilt on "type 94" swords online and this seems to be more detailed, and couldn't quite match it with any other pictures. I can take high quality pictures tomorrow in proper lighting on a proper camera if requested.

Also: I attempted to cross match the text with the titles of the imperial army and navy (as given on wikipedia) but had no luck. I've read that swords were also given to U.S. servicemen and officers during Occupied Japan, so i'm speculating it may have been given to MacArthur or a subordinate after the war had ended.

 

edit: I'm working on uploading 3 additional photos, they're too large so i will need to edit them down first

edit 2: Also, because of it's sentimental value and historical significance (at least in my eyes) i will not be attempting to remove the hilt or any other pieces in any way shape or form, that'll be a professional/experts job, so I can not look for markings on the blade.

[ohshid]

here are some additional photos of the sword and hilt.

I am still willing to take additional photos with my dslr if requested (tomorrow, 1:20am for me)

 

for clarification, the mark is located on the back of the blade (the non-edged side if my terminology is wrong) on what i would call the pommel.

 

any and all help (even help on getting a digital character for these so i can continue searching myself) will be greatly appreciated. this is for personal knowledge only, and at the moment there are no intentions on this sword ever being sold.

[David Flynn]

Hello. First you need to add your name as per forum rules. Saying that, what you are trying to identify is a (Ka)Mon (Google, Japanese family Mon). This is equivalent to a coat of arms. Everything else points to just being a Japanese officers sword. To find out more about the actual sword, you need to remove the Tsuka(hilt) and strip the fittings from the sword. Pictures are needed of the Nakago (tang), the blade and the Kissaki(point/tip). Upon posting these pictures, you will receive opinions on the age, name of smith (if written on the nakago) etc.

[sanjuro]

The kamon is in fact not a kamon as such, at least not one of the major families. It is a stylised kanji by all appearance and could be a divisional or regimental insignia.

If you do not wish to remove the tsuka then that is up to you, although there is little help we can give in identification if you will not do this. Its only a bamboo peg holding it all together after all, and the sword was meant to be stripped for cleaning. You will not damage the sword or the mounting by removing the peg, and it is easily reassembled.

All we can see of it at present is an unremarkable gunto. If there is anything special about it, the evidence lies within the saya and beneath the tsuka.

[Grey Doffin]

Here is a care and etiquette brochure that will show you how to take the sword apart and out it back. http://www.nbthk-ab.org/Etiquette.htm

Grey

[ohshid]

thanks for the information/link.

 

the sword is a family heirloom of sorts so i will speak with my father about removing the tsuka and see what he thinks. the small end of the wooden peg is almost completely covered by the wrap, and i'm worried that i will not be able to remove it without damaging/loosening the wrap directly over the peg. can anyone recommend a tool or technique to get pressure onto the peg without pushing up into the wrap?

 

also, hopefully initials are enough for my signature. I don't agree with forcing users to drop anonymity on a completely unencrypted website, as someone in "generation y", i already have plenty of my personal information spread across the web. that said, i genuinely appreciate the help and probably shouldn't be worried about putting information on a small sword forum

[Brian]

Sorry, but I refuse to call you ohshid (which sounds a bit dodgy anyways?) and I can't call you CVB. I am also not going to start a precedent of allowing initials. But I see nothing wrong with posting a first name at least. We don't require a full name.

 

Brian

[Grey Doffin]

Hi Cort,

Any small punch will allow you to push on the small end of the mekugi and won't damage the wrap.

Grey

[k morita]

Hi Cort,

In this case, it is a name-plate.

It is original owner's family name " Takeuchi "(ta-ke-u-chi). 竹内