My Other Japanese Sword

[Jamz]

Hi:
My only other Japanese sword. Katana, shin gunto ?
Blade is 26 1/4" tsuba to tip.
The hamon on this one is wavy.
The kanji appears different than my other one.
Also there are two characters in ink ?
Unlike my other one, there are no numbers stamped on this one anywhere.
Any info much appreciated.
Any idea where I can get the leather snap attachment that fastens
the sword to the koiguichi ? What is it called so I can search for it ?
Anyone know anything about the tassel ?
Again, many thanks, John

[Jamz]

Let me know if I need to rotate the kanji. Still confused on up or down.

[Jamz]

then...

[Jamz]

more...

[Jamz]

again...

[gunto]

Its a kyugunto knot made from wool.
The push buttons can You get on ebay.
But im sure the new buttons dosnt fit the old one.

[GHP]

Just guessing at the first kanji, but makes sense:

兼守

Kanemori

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兼守 (Kanemori)

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西田 林弥

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If the same Kanemori, his real family name is Nishida, Rinyu [or Shiyu]
Showa 19 year [1944]

YUP!! It's him

Here's another sword by this smith in full polish. They were able to get it registered [AND SOLD!], so perhaps yours could be of the same quality:


--Guy

[Jamz]

Wow! Thanks for your help.

And my next step toward the registration process ?

Who, where ?

Much appreciated, John.

[Brian Robinson]

That was an example of a flawed legal process in Japan. That sword should never have been registered. It (and yours) is a mass produced Showato, and as such is illegal in Japan.
Sometimes they slip through the cracks due to corruption or a favour, but those are in the minority. It may not enter Japan, and there is no reason to register it anywhere.

Brian

[Stu W]

Hi John,

You have a nice sword that should be enjoyed as is for what it is. Any attempt to have the blade polished or sent to shinsa would be money wasted.

Regards,
Stu

[GHP]

My [ALMOST] Sad Story .... REGISTRATION

Wow! Thanks for your help.

And my next step toward the registration process ?

Who, where ?

Much appreciated, John.

You have to physically carry the sword to Japan. In ~1993 I met an American in Tokyo (I'm pretty sure it was Chris Bowen) who imported swords from the US. He said approximately 15%~20% would fail the registration exam and he'd take a loss (confiscation); but he'd make the money back on the ones that passed the registration process.

It's a gamble; Zero-Sum: you win or your lose.

In my case -- in 1984 -- the Narita Japan Customs Officer got a bit nervous when I declared a sword; he pulled me aside and called in the Airport Police who brought over their "sword man" -- who placed a magnet on the blade to confirm it was iron/steel. Then, I was given a few days to take the sword to a local school on Saturday when sword inspections were held.

The inspectors inhaled and said the equivalent of " wow!" when they saw the blade. Then, they took off the handle and saw the "Circle Anchor" mark and they suddenly said the equivalent of "Awwww .... it's a piece of doo-doo." Then they confiscated the sword.

My friend's father talked to the local police and arranged for the sword to be returned to me -- but only AFTER I had crossed the "International" line at the airport ... two weeks later. At that point my sword was brought to me and I was able to return to the US with it in tow.

If you do not have an influential friend, you take the chance of having your sword confiscated without remuneration!!! You're left holding an empty bag.

I wanted my IJN kaigunto to have new fittings since I studied Iaido, which was why I tried to take my sword over (I was staying at a polisher's house -- his father made my other sword). I eventually had to have a handle core and saya blank made here in the US, and ship it to the polisher; he had 4 sets done for me for only $100 each (and I'm certain he called in some favors to have them done so cheaply).

--Guy

[Jamz]

Thank you all so very much. I will keep enjoying it as it is.
It is from an old friend who has since died. He liberated it himself.
Much appreciation guys. John