Im new to the site, but I have recently taken on a goal of trying to return something and could use any insight someone might have. The attached sword and pictures have been passed down to me and I simply want to return them to the family. I've have an engraving on one of the pictures translated and was told it was possibly Isho do or Seki do. I published an article in the Japan times several years ago with no luck. Hopefully this will get back to the rightful owners.
- 21 May 2003
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I'm sure someone will ask , any writing on the backs of the pictures? I'm betting if they did , you would post it , LOL.
- 12 Oct 2013
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Hello Troy,
Your sword has been cut down from its original size, and the second character of the smith's name has unfortunately been lost in the shortening of the sword. The character left is 兼 (Kane) which is a common kanji used in swordsmith names. Normally, the name is a two-character name: something like Kanemoto, or Kanemitsu, or something like that. Its quite possibly a sword that is much older than WW2. It was common for soldiers to go off to war with a family sword that was fitted with military furnishings.
And yes, I would love to see any writing on the pictures!
Your sword has been cut down from its original size, and the second character of the smith's name has unfortunately been lost in the shortening of the sword. The character left is 兼 (Kane) which is a common kanji used in swordsmith names. Normally, the name is a two-character name: something like Kanemoto, or Kanemitsu, or something like that. Its quite possibly a sword that is much older than WW2. It was common for soldiers to go off to war with a family sword that was fitted with military furnishings.
And yes, I would love to see any writing on the pictures!
- 21 May 2003
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Changed the PDF to jpeg. Sorry I could not bring out better detail on the cans.
- 12 Oct 2013
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Looks like 石戸谷 (Ishitoya) which could be the family name, but it almost looks like its embossed on the photos, in which case it could be the name of the photography studio. However, items from this era usually have the writing running from right-to-left, while this looks like left-to-right, so I could be wrong about the reading. left-to-right writing isn't completely unusual for this time, but its slightly out of the norm.
Anyway, my best guess for now is Ishitoya (said with medium confidence).
Anyway, my best guess for now is Ishitoya (said with medium confidence).
- Thread starter
- #9
Last attempt for info, I used a friends microscope to take detailed pictures of the writing on one picture and the collar of the soldier. Thanks to everyone who helped. If you have any next steps advice or want to be a part of the journey let me know.
Attachments
- 12 Oct 2013
- 4,071
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Feels to me like Ishitoya (said with a bit more confidence, thanks to your magnified images). And I would say its the photography studio name, rather than the subject's name. There are multiple pronounciations; Ishitoya, Ishidoya, Sekitoya, Sekidoya. The pronunciation doesn't matter too much yet, as long as you have the kanji.
As to next steps, this really is a tough one. If you knew the name of the family, or even the name of the town they were from, I might have some optimism that someone could be found who could identify the relatives. Right now, the photos and the possible name of the photo studio are the only things we have. The partial name on the sword won't help identify the family. There are groups (including the Japanese embassy) that help repatriate war items, but somehow I feel there isn't enough info for these groups to make a connection. As slim as the chances are, I feel it might be best to just continue posting to forums like this, or maybe try one of the militaria-related forums to see if any info can be gleaned from the uniform in the picture. Its a very handsome family, and the fact they got the whole family photographed makes me think they have some money. Ishitoya is not very common, but it isn't ultra-rare either. People with this surname tend to come from the north of Japan; Aomori, Akita, Hokkaidō .
The sword, while very symbolic and a nice antique, presents a kind of dilemma for the family, even if you do manage to find them. If it were a sword of high quality and rarity, the family may gladly accept its return, and go through the hassle of re-importing this item. Swords need to be registered upon importation, and this can be a burden. Many families aren't aware of the regulations, and many are under the mistaken impression that you need to have a special license to own a sword. But a cut-off sword missing half the name, makes me think the sword is not so precious. This is just wild speculation...I could tell more with better pictures of the blade and the tip itself. The sword furnishings are not so interesting - its the blade itself which is important. This is the long-winded way of saying you have a Sisyphean task ahead of you trying to repatriate these items, as there is a chance the family may not be interested in receiving it.
So start with the photos and plaster them where you can; war-related forums, genealogy forums, maybe Facebook and Reddit and Twitter. Then see if you can get any leads from there.
As to next steps, this really is a tough one. If you knew the name of the family, or even the name of the town they were from, I might have some optimism that someone could be found who could identify the relatives. Right now, the photos and the possible name of the photo studio are the only things we have. The partial name on the sword won't help identify the family. There are groups (including the Japanese embassy) that help repatriate war items, but somehow I feel there isn't enough info for these groups to make a connection. As slim as the chances are, I feel it might be best to just continue posting to forums like this, or maybe try one of the militaria-related forums to see if any info can be gleaned from the uniform in the picture. Its a very handsome family, and the fact they got the whole family photographed makes me think they have some money. Ishitoya is not very common, but it isn't ultra-rare either. People with this surname tend to come from the north of Japan; Aomori, Akita, Hokkaidō .
The sword, while very symbolic and a nice antique, presents a kind of dilemma for the family, even if you do manage to find them. If it were a sword of high quality and rarity, the family may gladly accept its return, and go through the hassle of re-importing this item. Swords need to be registered upon importation, and this can be a burden. Many families aren't aware of the regulations, and many are under the mistaken impression that you need to have a special license to own a sword. But a cut-off sword missing half the name, makes me think the sword is not so precious. This is just wild speculation...I could tell more with better pictures of the blade and the tip itself. The sword furnishings are not so interesting - its the blade itself which is important. This is the long-winded way of saying you have a Sisyphean task ahead of you trying to repatriate these items, as there is a chance the family may not be interested in receiving it.
So start with the photos and plaster them where you can; war-related forums, genealogy forums, maybe Facebook and Reddit and Twitter. Then see if you can get any leads from there.
- 22 Feb 2008
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The letters in the first four pictures look like katakana ？ユウベ. (The first one is illegible.)
All those pictures are up-side-down, by the way.
All those pictures are up-side-down, by the way.
