Help: Cloth Tag on Japanese Sword

[Catalyst]

My grandfather aquired this sword from a cave when he was in the war, and no one knows what it says.
I've talked to a few people who came to the consensus that the right side says something like "Important/Big Army Captain." I was wondering what your thoughts were.

[Catalyst]

Hm, links didn't work and not sure how to edit a topic post.

Here are the photos:

http://www2.snapfish.com/snapfish/sl...NAME=snapfish/

http://www2.snapfish.com/snapfish/sl...NAME=snapfish/

http://www2.snapfish.com/snapfish/sl...NAME=snapfish/

[J7W22007]

Hi Catalyst-san,

Looks like an IJN Dirk.

From right to left wrote:

海? 軍大尉 (Kaigunn Dai-i) - Navy Captain

三嶋　芳太郎 - Tosh!tarou Mishima

Regards,
Taka

[Stu W]

Yes, a Navy dagger, and here are the pictures.

Regards,
Stu

[Stu W]

..

[Stu W]

...

[GHP]

Hi Catalyst-san,

Looks like an IJN Dirk.

From right to left wrote:

海? 軍大尉 (Kaigunn Tai-i) - Navy Captain

三嶋　芳太郎 - Tosh!tarou Mishima

Regards,
Taka

Good job! I couldn't make out the first kanji; as you said: the only possibility likely is 海 kai/sea.

For those not familiar with ranks: A Japanese Navy captain (tai-i) is the US equivalent of Navy Lieutenant (O3). A US Navy captain is the equivalent of colonel (O6) in the Japanese navy (tai-sa) AND in the US Army, Marines, and (now) Air Force.

But I'm guessing 98% of our members already know that (maybe even 100%?).

--Guy

[Catalyst]

Yes, a Navy dagger, and here are the pictures.

Regards,
Stu

Hi Catalyst-san,

Looks like an IJN Dirk.

Yes, yes, it was a dagger wasn't it? I hadn't seen it in a while so I forgot.


Anyway, thank you for your help everyone.

[Stu W]

You are welcome. If you have an opportunity to take more photos please do as it's always nice to see them.

Regards,
Stu

[J7W22007]

Good job! I couldn't make out the first kanji; as you said: the only possibility likely is 海 kai/sea.

For those not familiar with ranks: A Japanese Navy captain (tai-i) is the US equivalent of Navy Lieutenant (O3). A US Navy captain is the equivalent of colonel (O6) in the Japanese navy (tai-sa) AND in the US Army, Marines, and (now) Air Force.

But I'm guessing 98% of our members already know that (maybe even 100%?).

--Guy

Thank you, Guy-san.

Here is a good chance to learn some different terms for IJN and IJA.

Back in the days the there were different pronunciations between IJA and IJN terms.

Probably they don' t like to be called the same style.

For example:

大尉 - Dai-i (IJN)　Tai-i (IJA)

大佐 - Dai-sa (IJN)　Tai-sa (IJA)

However when comes to 大将, both use the same Tai-Shou.

Numbering are different as well.

IJN

1----------ヒト----------(Hito)
2----------フタ----------(Futa)
3----------サン----------(San)
4---------- ヨン----------(Yon)
5---------- ゴ-----------(Go-)
6----------ロク----------(Roku)
7----------ナナ----------(Nana)
8----------ハチ----------(Hachi)
9----------キュウ--------(Kyuu)
10----------ヒトマル-----(Hito-Maru)

IJA

1----------イチ----------(Ichi)
2----------ニ------------(Ni)
3----------サン----------(San)
4----------シ------------(Shi)
5----------ゴ------------(Go-)
6----------ロク----------(Roku)
7----------シチ----------(Shichi)
8----------ハチ----------(Hachi)
9----------ク-------------(Ku)
10---------ジュウ--------(Jyuu)

IJN Pilot -----操縦員 (Soujyuu-Inn)

IJA Pilot -----操縦士 (Soujyuu-Shi)

IJN AAA -----高角砲 (Koukaku-Hou)

IJA AAA -----高射砲 (Kousha-Hou)

Hope they help.

Regards,
Taka

[GHP]

Thank you, Guy-san.

Here is a good chance to learn some different terms for IJN and IJA.

Back in the days the there were different pronunciations between IJA and IJN terms.

Probably they don' t like to be called the same style.

For example:

大尉 - Dai-i (IJN)　Tai-i (IJA)

大佐 - Dai-sa (IJN)　Tai-sa (IJA)
....
Hope they help.

Regards,
Taka

Hi Taka-san, and thank you for explaining that to me -- I had no idea there was a difference in pronouncing ranks and numbers.

Of course the "hitotsu - futatsu - mitsu" is the alternate Japanese counting system, but I had no idea the Army and Navy were that different.

Again, many thanks!

--Guy


EDIT
Hey! I just noticed the Naval "Hito-maru" [hito/hitotsu = 1; maru = circle]... in US "military-speak" we sometimes say "One-Zero" .... same thing.
Very informative post, Taka-san.

[J7W22007]

Anytime, Guy-san.

Cheers!
Taka