Tang translation please

[Mike Swan]

Yesterday I was happy to assume ownership of this shin-gunto, a veteran souvenir that spent decades in a house roof.

Is there a chance a knowledgeable member could translate the characters.

Also, the scabbard is some kind of light-weight material with a "crackle" khaki finish. Comments re this would also be greatly appreciated.

Many thanks, Mike

[Mike Swan]

Two more

[Stu W]

Hi Mike,

Looks like a nice IJA Officer Type 98 from what I can see. I'm viewing this on a tiny screen so can't help much more other than to tell you the first photo is the Showa Era date. Go to the pinned thread above on how to read numbers as well as day, month and year and you can easily figure it out.

Regards,
Stu

[Bob Coleman]

Please repost the tang pictures in the correct orientation. Right now they are sideways. The top should be towards the point and the butt end the bottom. It is read vertical not horizontal.

[Mike Swan]

Bob,

Here you go.

Thanks, Mike

[Mike Swan]

Sorry for delay. Other side of tang.

[GHP]

昭和十六年十月
Shōwa jū roku-nen jū-gatsu
Showa 10 (1941), October

濃州住秀俊鍛之
Nōshū Jū Shōwa Hidetoshi Kitae Kore wo
This Was Made by Hidetoshi Residing in Nōshū [modern Gifu prefecture]

He was rated as Mid-Level (Chu-saku). See here and do a word search for 秀俊.

--Guy

[Mike Swan]

GHP,

Very grateful for your valuable assistance.

Also thanks to others who commented.

Regards, Mike

[Mike Swan]

May I now ask opinions about the likely material forming the "non-metal" scabbard. Small areas of lifted paint show a light brown, cardboard appearance.

Thanks, Mike

[Bob Coleman]

It is likely canvas or a similar material glued over a wood base and then lacquered.

[BruceP]

It is likely canvas or a similar material glued over a wood base and then lacquered.

The laquered wooden saya were considerably lighter than the metal saya. If I were assigned to a combat unit, I would have wanted one of these (of course that's what the leather-covered combat saya were for!). I have always considered this style a more expensive option, but I really don't know that for a fact.

[Stu W]

昭和十六年十月
Shōwa jū roku-nen jū-gatsu
Showa 10 (1941), October

濃州住秀俊鍛之
Nōshū Jū Shōwa Hidetoshi Kitae Kore wo
This Was Made by Hidetoshi Residing in Nōshū [modern Gifu prefecture]

He was rated as Mid-Level (Chu-saku). See here and do a word search for 秀俊.

--Guy

Hello Guy,

Perhaps I'm reading it incorrectly but would that not be Showa 16? Perhaps a typo?

Regards,
Stu

[GHP]

Hello Guy,

Perhaps I'm reading it incorrectly but would that not be Showa 16? Perhaps a typo?

Regards,
Stu

Thanks Stu! Yes, the Japanese says 16, but I just got stoopit and erroneously wrote 10 using Arabic numbers.

Thanks for the correction.

--Guy

[Mike Swan]

Thanks for scabbard info.

This is my first shin-gunto so I'm on a steep learning curve.

Mike