Japanese Officer surrender Sword

[seebee1]

A Japanese Officer's Sword surrendered with Certificate and Map of Burma. I would very much like to know the meaning of the Kanji on the back of the Habaki, many thanks.

[Franco]

What a strange habaki.There are no protruding side panels on it and I have never seen one engraved on top before.

[seebee1]

Japanese Swords are not familiar to me, although have a few Japanese items in the collection. I have interest in the Burma campaign and this Sword and a few other pieces I have used in some displays. I have heard that the kanji may be Chinese, saying "The Palace", and not Japanese, but I would not know for sure. If it is Chinese I do not know what this means regarding the Sword. As I do not have any other examples to compare I can't comment on the habaki.

What a strange habaki.There are no protruding side panels on it and I have never seen one engraved on top before.

[pmiya]

I believe it says MIYAMOTO a family name.
Paul M.

[seebee1]

Many thanks Paul, so it does seem to be Japanese and not Chinese as someone else had told me.

I believe it says MIYAMOTO a family name.
Paul M.

[vonStubben]

The habaki is made in the style of some Tachi.

[GHP]

I believe it says MIYAMOTO a family name.
Paul M.

Paul!

宮本
Miyamoto

[GHP]

I have heard that the kanji may be Chinese, saying "The Palace", ...

Yes, "palace".
宮 miya/gu means "palace; shinto shrine."
本 moto means "origin" or "source". In this case the name origin probably meant "One who lives at/near the Shrine/Palace."

-- Guy

[seebee1]

Many thanks for the further information, very much appreciated. Is the kanji unusual and what could its meaning be to the original owner of the Sword? I need to find someone who is experienced and knowledgeable to remove the handle, it seems possible that the tang may be signed (please excuse lack of proper part names).

[paddywhack]

The note from the CO is very interesting as unlike US soldiers (and as far as I'm aware) UK soldiers weren't aloud to souvenir hunt and keep the items(unlike the US soldiers) so this note saying he's allowed to have it in his possession is great to have with the group!

[Mauser HSc]

Awesome!

[BruceP]

I ran the question about the shape of the habaki to the the guys at NMB, and at least one of them says the style was known to be used on old tachi fittings. So like all things gunto - never say never, or always!

It's a really cool set you have there!

Oh! Just saw mister Stubben already passed that along!

[GHP]

Many thanks for the further information, very much appreciated. Is the kanji unusual and what could its meaning be to the original owner of the Sword? I need to find someone who is experienced and knowledgeable to remove the handle, it seems possible that the tang may be signed (please excuse lack of proper part names).

Miyamoto is a surname, so the owner was probably a Miyamoto.

[seebee1]

Much appreciate the further comments. I have tried to remove the peg, but unable to do so. It is probable that someone at sometime has tried this before, unsuccessfully I think, so I plan to leave this until I find a competent and knowledgable person to do this for me. I could try some long-nose pliers, but probably would chew-up the remnants of the peg further. On the reverse side all there seems to be is metal. I have had the Sword for many years so will have no problem in being patient for a while longer.

[BruceP]

The bamboo pegs (mekugi) can get beat up. The end you are seeing is the fatter end, as most of them are tapered a bit, and come out only one way. I'm attaching pics of how to push them out from the other side. It's quite easy once you see how it works. If it's never been removed, you might have to tap it some, but you won't hurt anything. These are often lost and/or crumbled, and are easy to replace. Shops, like Fred Lohman, usually have them. I bought 3 online for $10 once.