I just acquired a type 3 Army pattern with black metal fittings. The wrap on the hilt has been lacquered there are also polishers marks under the habaki.could someone help with the tang translation? Thanks Geoff.

other side

The signature of this piece does not appear to be the usual style of typical shingunto.Am I off base here??

..

THE FORM OF KANJI FOUND ON YOUR BLADE ARE WRITTEN IN A STYLE REFERED TO AS "GRASS WRITING." IT IS DIFFICULT TO READ SOME OF THE CHARACHTERS. HOWEVER, I CAN TELL YOU THAT THE SWORDMAKER IS FROM THE GASSAN SCHOOL. THE SWORDMAKER'S NAME I AM STILL WORKING ON. THE DATE IS THE 2ND MONTH OF THE 18TH YEAR OF SHOWA(1943). IF I CAN FIGURE OUT THE REST, I WILL POST IT HERE. THE GASSAN SCHOOL IS NOTED FOR A UNIQUE FORM OF FORGING WHICH PRODUCES A GRAIN KNOWN AS AISUGI HADA-A SWIRLING UP AND DOWN GRAINING IN THE STEEL. THEY ALSO WORKED IN MASAME, A STRAIGHT GRAIN.
BOB

Hi Jeff,

The smiths name is Tadamitsu or Muneitsu

Bill Rannow
Mpls, MN

Hi Geoff,

Your sword mei is "Dewa Gassan MUNEMITSU".
Made in " January 1943 ".

His real name was Yuki(family name) Hachitaro.
"Dewa" means now Yamagata-ken prefecture (Northern Japan).

Gentlemen,Thank you all for your kind responses.It is with great pleasure and respect I receive your knowledge.You are all doing a great service to the preservation of Japanese swords.If I may be of any service to you please let me know.Thanks Geoff,

Hi Geoff,

Additional information:
As you know, Mt.Gassan is in the Yamagata prefecture, and was birthplace of the Gassan school.
He was one of the descendants of the Gassan school.
He(Munemitsu) was Rikugun-Jumei-Tosho(Army approved swordsmiths).

Thanks

He was 5th seat in the 1941 exhibition

He was not a Gassan family member but came from where the Gassan school started

Thank you for the additional information efriend.Could you please expand on the term "5th seat?"Thanks Geoff.

Do you have any pics of this blade ?

Hello efriend98,at the moment i dont have photos of the blade.When I found out it was a hand forged piece I left it with a friend of mine who is an advanced collector.It is being sent off for polish.If I see him before it goes.I will take some pics.Otherwise it may be awhile before I see it again.

here is a photo of the fittings marked with bench #32.

GEOFF-
MAY I SUGGEST THAT WHILE HAVING THE BLADE POLISHED, ALSO SEND THE FITTINGS ALONG TO HAVE A TSUNAGI OR WOOD BLADE TO HOLD THEM TOGETHER. THE MILITARY MOUNTING IS A HISTORICAL PART OF THIS SWORD AND SHOULD BE KEPT INTACT.
ONCE YOUR BLADE IS POLISHED, YOU WOULD NOT WANT TO PLACE THE POLISHED BLADE BACK INSIDE A USED, DIRTY SCABBARD, THAT COULD SCRATCH YOUR BLADE.

Bob ,Thank you for Your advice.I will definately have the fittings mounted as well.I agree that the mounts are an important part of the piece and should be maintained together with the blade.Best wishes Geoff.