Shin-Gunto Sword for evaluation

[Heer 17]

Forum members,

I have the opportunity to buy this Shin-Gunto Sword.



Looking at the red-blue tassel it appears to be a Japanese officers sword. The blade length is 27 inches or 69cm. It has binding to the hilt over ray skin and the tang is signed apparently by ‘Kaneyoshi’ - I am unfamiliar with the makers. The sword is dated ‘September 1941’, has no arsenal marks apart from a small Nagoya acceptance stamp.

Do any of the sword experts see a problem from the picures? Any feedback would be much appreciated.

[Gunto]

Blue and brown company grade officers tassel.

Looks to be in overall good condition.

[Tank Destroyer]

++++ looks good

[ghp95134]

I would like to see better photos of the tang. Then I could verify the maker and date. To be made in 1941 it would have to have this date: 昭和十六年 -- Showa 16 year.

There were 5 wartime smiths named Kaneyoshi (perhaps more?):

松原 兼吉 (Matsubara Kaneyoshi) [Jo-Saku level smith: Upper Level]
小谷 包義 (Kotani Kaneyoshi) 1 [Jo-Saku level smith: Upper Level]
河合 兼義 (Kawai Kaneyoshi) 2 [Chu-Saku level smith: Medium Level]
岡田 兼義 (Okada Kaneyoshi) 4 [Chu-Saku level smith: Medium Level]
吉田 兼吉(Yoshida Kaneyoshi) 5

Regarding the numbers behind the smith's name:

6th Shinsaku Nihonto Denrankai (新作日本刀展覽會, 1941) were reported at Nihon Kendo Oyobi Token (日本劍道及刀劍) by Hagio Takahashi. From Special Honor Seats to the 5th seat (S: 特別名譽席(鍛刀總匠), 1: 國工, 2: 準國工, 3:優秀, 4:佳作, 5: 新進), about 250 smiths were given.
source

The levels of the competition were:
特別名譽席(鍛刀總匠) -- Special Honored Position
1: 國工 -- National Artisan
2: 準國工 -- Semi-national Artisan
3: 優秀 -- Superior
4: 佳作 -- Honorable Mention
5: 新進 -- Up-and-Coming


--Guy

[Heer 17]

Thank you Guy, very interesting. I do not have the Sword in hand at the moment, I will ask the seller if they can clarify the text on the tang.

Neil

[Geoff Ward]

Looks good to me as well. I took the liberty of rotating one photo and enhancing it to accentuate the black painted assembly numbers perhaps Guy can help with these If I am seeing correctly the number closest to the end of the tang is the number 8 you might also ask the seller if any of the Seppa (Blade washers) or Tsuba (Hand-guard) are stamped with a number ending with 8 ? This is not always the case but might confirm that the sword was an all original assembly.Nice looking sword!
Regards,Geoff

[ghp95134]

... perhaps Guy can help with these If I am seeing correctly the number closest to the end of the tang is the number 8 ...

Thanks Geoff. ..... Gee ... that looks like it could-maybe-might-perhaps (not certain) be:

一四七八
1478

That third number is pretty faint, but I think 1, 4, & 8 are correct.


--Guy

[Heer 17]

Well you guys have pretty good eyesight..I see nothing :-)

Thank you both Geoff and Guy.

If that number sequence is correct, as a non-expert, what exactly would it indicate? Nothing to do with the stated 1941 (showa 16 year).

Would it confirm the maker or date of manufacture?

Neil

[Gunto]

The numbers is for assembly purpose.

[Wagriff]

A beautiful sword in fine condition. A shame that it's certainly fascinating history will have to remain forever unknown. A nice addition to any Japanese wartime display.