WW2 Japanese folding knife?

[paladin1919]

Greetings,

I have an interesting challenge for y'all. My father-in-law recently purchased this folding knife at an estate sale. He is a pretty experienced collector but he is uncertain of it's origin. He and others believe that it is Japanese based upon the markings carved on the stag handle. It has been referred to a rope knife based upon the shape of the blade. Unsure if it could be military but it reportedly came from the estate of a WW2 vet and was presumably brought back around that time.

I am posting it here to see if anyone can add any info about it.

Notice the interesting hallmarks....

Thanks in advance for your help,
Pal

[zwerge]

On one side of the blade there is a cherry blossom,Sakura,in Japanese,there is still a Sakura knife company in business today,so maybe....who knows?....Pete.

[GIZMO8Z]

The "waves" engraved on one side of the blade remind me of the emblem seen on Japanese comfort bags. Could it perhaps be a shaving razor?

[Walkwolf]

The blade is reminiscent of one, but it's too thick and stubby for a shaving
razor IMO. The rope knife theory seems accurate. (Not sure if the 'waves'
mean Army or Infantry ?) Very cool knife.........!

[davejb]

I have a theory that this could be a Japanese paratroopers knife, years ago i remember seeing something similar , with the blunt end which was purpose made , why i dont know, but the display that i saw it in said it was supposed to be paras, but i'm going back nearly 40yrs

[Danmark]

JAPANESE PARATROOPERS???????? .........tell me more Dave, I never knew they had them ( other than the pilots that bailed out after we blew them outta the sky!!! )

Cheers, Dan

[davejb]

If memory serves they were part of the Naval landing forces, they were equiped with a shorter rifle, had there own design of helmet with flaps that were similar to the british despatch riders helmets ear flaps, they took part in a number of operations but they were small in force compared to the allied formations

[Scout]

Thats a very nice knife IMO. Japan made - and makes - some beautiful folders.

[ObKrieger]

Some good info here, if accurate:

Japanese marine paratroopers of World War II - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

[Gary J]

This might help ?

Markings on Japanese Arisaka Rifles and Bayonets of World War II

Gary J.