Help with Mei translation

[Paul G]

Hello everyone,
I am looking for help reading the mei and date information on this officers sword which I have in my collection. The first picture shows a small stamp, not sure what this is. Second pic shows the swordsmiths name. Other pictures I assume will be the date and possibly place it was made? The last picture is of the Mon on the handle. If anyone knows which family / clan this represents, that would be great to know. Thank you for any information you can provide.

PG-

[Paul G]

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[Paul G]

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[Stu W]

Hi Paul,

Date looks to me to be Showa 19th year, tenth month or October 1944.

Check against the pinned thread at the top of the section. I must admit though that while I can read dates I'm a little uncertain of this one because I simply can't see the strikes as well as I'd like to so I may be a bit off. Guy will be along soon enough to confirm or correct.

As to the kamon, there are several sites like this one linked below that you can research ...

https://medium.com/japanology/japane...s-cc1742ab9de2

If you scroll down the page you will see various charts with associated family names.

Regards,
Stu

[Bob Coleman]

It is totally impossible to relate a mon on a tsuka to a particular family. Following the Meiji revolution, nearly every family in Japan adopted a mon. They were no longer restricted to the noble and samurai families.

[BruceP]

You’re right on the date Stu!

The stamp is the “Gifu” stamp. I’ve personally never seen one on an officer gunto, cool! Gifu was a province in the Seki area, both real big in the sword industry back then.

[GHP]

兼宗
Kanemune

昭和十九年十月
Showa 19 [1944], October


--Guy

[Paul G]

Thank you everyone for your assistance, I truly appreciate it. Thank you Stu, Bob,Bruce, and Guy! I have to say, I looked at the date for quite a while and was stumped, as it just didn't look like the Kanji in the help thread. It just seemed to stylized I guess, rather crude to be honest. Anyway, seeing that it's a 44 dated blade is also surprising. I would definitely have expected to see that blade in a type 3 mount? But this is the way it came home from the war, so it goes to show (me at least)not everything is black or white. Thank you all again!

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[Luis22]

It is totally impossible to relate a mon on a tsuka to a particular family. Following the Meiji revolution, nearly every family in Japan adopted a mon. They were no longer restricted to the noble and samurai families.

So the Mon its just another decorative accessory... Good to know,,I thought they were a symbol of past service to a Noble family ...a lot to learn in this hobby ..

[Sengoku]

The type 98 mount continued in production to the end of the war. The "Rinji", aka Type 3 mount ran in parallel as a alternative, not as a replacement.

[BruceP]

So the Mon its just another decorative accessory... Good to know,,I thought they were a symbol of past service to a Noble family ...a lot to learn in this hobby ..

I wouldn't say "decorative." It was likely the chosen mon of a his family. It's just that they were no longer JUST for the families of the old Samurai line. I have one for "Fuji" but you can find it being used for other names too. If you browse the sites and find yours, I think it is still interesting to know.

[Paul G]

The type 98 mount continued in production to the end of the war. The "Rinji", aka Type 3 mount ran in parallel as a alternative, not as a replacement.

Good yo know, Thanks Sengoku!

PG-