WW2 Kanji Translation

[JerryB52]

I also wasnt sure if the tassels and such on this were period or not. They seem old but not sure if it makes any sense to me. I am very fresh in the sword market. I picked this up for a pretty good price and was impressed with the temper line and overall shape of the blade. I have an Emura and that is the only one I have seen with similar workmanship. The Mekugi was shattered into multiple pieces and I would assume this happened when the previous owner took it apart not knowing how to remove the handle properly. I refit it and make a new Mekugi and the fit is super tight. It looks like a tooling mark on the Habaki and I assume that was from trying to improperly remove it from the sword as it is a very tight fit. All of the 8 seppa and the tsuba all have the same numbers on them. I thought it was a nice find. Any comments or insight on this blade would be appreciated now that I have it in hand finally.

[JerryB52]

A few more additional pictures

[Bruce Pennington]

While the painted numbers sometimes match the stamped ones, I have seen several examples where they do not, and all the fittings seem to be original.

I think you're right about the rank tassel, it is from much earlier period than the shingunto. I have never seen an actual picture of a Japanese soldier carrying a shingunto with an old tassel, but I wouldn't be surprised if some did this, especially if it was from his father or something. There was a good deal of personalization practiced.

[JerryB52]

Thanks for the insight Bruce. I feel good that the hardware on this is original to the item. The fit of the pieces is just spot on. I replaced a few seppa on another blade and could not get the fit back even with peening the tsuba. I'll see if I can unearth an example of these tassels.

[JerryB52]

Is anyone aware of a forum that specializes in Japanese swords who may be able to identify the tassels?

[Bruce Pennington]

Jerry, Ohmura called this a company grade officer tassel, and can be seen on the kyu-gunto on this page: —¤ŒR‹ŒŒR“uŒ“’èvE–³–Á Army saber "Kanesada" & "Mumei"

[JerryB52]

You are spot on Bruce. Is that for both tassels? I haven't seen anything similar to the red one though.

[Bruce Pennington]

Jerry,
Know of no Japanese tassel that color, plus they used that ring to hang the guntos on a belt. They didn't put tassels there. It looks woven onto the ring, so, just a guess, I'd say a G.I. wove that on free he got it.

There are other guys who know tassels. Maybe someone will jump in.

[JerryB52]

Thanks Bruce, I couldn't find anything remotely similar. A buddy of mine has a very interesting sword in his possession. I will try and post it tomorrow morning. I know it has a Colonel grade tassel on it.