My first Katana

[busman]

Hi could the guys in the know have a look at my first Katana , I purchased this from a trusted dealer I have known for a few years, I have always stayed away from these as I have no knowledge in the subject ,but have always wanted one . It was purchased as a WW2 example. I have tried to post pics of the tang the correct way up, but for some reason when I download the turn 90 deg .please have a look and give me the news.
Many thanks Tim

[ghp95134]

勝正
Katsumasa

二九八〇
2980 [painted assembly number]

昭和十八年十月
Shōwa jū hachi-nen jū-gatsu
October 1943


There were two Katsumasa: one who signed Kojima Katsumasa, the other signed Katsumasa.
The signature of the Kojima Katsumasa differs from yours (which I've seen on two other swords when I did a google image search; those two mirrored your signature).

Compare:

Kojima Katsumasa 小島勝正:

濃州關住小島勝正作 Nōshū Seki-ju Kojima Katsumasa saku)

Katsumasa; these two are the same signature as yours: [I'm guessing 金谷 勝正 Kanaya Katsumasa]


--Guy

[busman]

Thank you very much for the information on the Date and signature, a sigh of relief its WW2 . Was this a traditionally hand made blade as it is signed by a sword smith rather than a machine made blade.
Tim.

[BOB COLEMAN]

Thank you very much for the information on the Date and signature, a sigh of relief its WW2 . Was this a traditionally hand made blade as it is signed by a sword smith rather than a machine made blade.
Tim.

That is impossible to tell from your pictures. The blade would need an in hand examination to confirm the construction.

[Stu W]

Hi Tim,

The odds are against it being more than a semi machine made blade that has been hand finished. It's still a nice iconic IJA Officer sword in Type 98 mounts with a leather weather/combat covered saya.

Are there any small stamping in the nakago (tang) in the area above the hole? If there are that will tell us more about the blade. Have a look at this linked page and in particular the images along the right side half way down.

Regards,
Stu

JAPANESE SHOWA ERA SWORDS

[busman]

This may I think be a stamping , a very small mark by the hole.

[busman]

Also found this on the reverse of the tang

[harryamb2]

nice Katana.

[ghp95134]

Both stamps are partial impressions of
名

Which is the abbreviation for

名古屋
Nagoya

Just looking around on Google and found the meaning:
"Nagoya Military factory checked Stamp"名".


--Guy

[busman]

Thank you so much for the help, I feel rather humbled in the fact I fail in finding this info myself.It gives the Katana so much more meaning for me , knowing this information.
Many thanks for you time.
Tim