Japanese sword, help needed

[ireichit]

My friend was given this sword after the war by he's uncle who took it from a japanese officer in the jungle near to China, apparently he came on this officer who was in the process of commiting suicide , can anyone help with the writing on the cloth attached to it and also the tang, any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

[rbminis]

Moved to the correct section of the forum.
Ralph.

[MAP]

Can you flatten out the tag and rotate the first photo counterclockwise and the last photo (of the tang) clockwise?

[ireichit]

I am having trouble with rotating them at the moment but will keep trying , I am not too good at it.

[MAP]

Lots going on with this sword that I don't understand/recognize. I would like to hear what the sword guys have to say. Do you have more photos of the blade and scabbard?

[ireichit]

Not on me when I see my mate next I will take some more pictures , the scabbard is wood without wrapping but I know know this has been in he's possession since a young boy . Now an old man

[Nick Komiya]

The signature reads 濃州関住藤原兼道作 Made by Kanemich Fujiwara of Seki in Nohshyu. He was a smith born in July 1902, real name was 小島時次郎 Tokijiro Kojima.

Shown below is a side by side comparison with a typical example of his work.

[DaveR]

The sword is a fairly typical type, originally in traditional mounts and then given a quick makeover to conform more closely to the regulations. There looks to have been a bit of a revival during the Showa period for traditional type swords, though the blades could be made by a variety of methods. Traditional martial arts were highly promoted by the Japanese government at the beginning of the century so I suspect these were for Iaido practice originally.

[ghp95134]

The signature reads 濃州関住藤原兼道作 Made by Kanemich Fujiwara of Seki in Nohshyu. He was a smith born in July 1902, real name was 小島時次郎 Tokijiro Kojima.

He received his swordsmithing license:
兼道 小島時二郎 S14.10.20
Kanemichi Kojima Tokojiro
Showa 14 [1939], October 20th

-- Guy

[ghp95134]

歩兵第六十一聯隊
61st Infantry Regiment

Surrender tag:
陸軍〇〇〇曹長神子
Army 〇〇〇 Sergeant Major/Master Sergeant Kanako

I can't make out the 〇〇〇 part -- it's definitely not infantry!



The 61st was part of the 4th Infantry Division

-- Guy