Sword "made in Japan" in Ethiopia

Martin Lubojacky · 7th January 2020, 08:05 PM

During Menelik II and Haile Selassie I, (blades of) swords and sabers were delivered to Ethiopia from many, or various at least, countries in Europe (e.g. Germany, France, UK, Italy, ...). It was surprise for me to discover this a little bit damaged Japan blade in Addis Ababa. The blade is ca 50 cms long, straight, relatively thick, nickel plated. The tongue of the handle is relatively long, curved (I did not see any inscription on it).

G. Mansfield · 7th January 2020, 08:16 PM

Very interesting post Martin. Could it be a product of trade from the prewar era, specifically after the Treaty of Friendship and Commerce in 1930 into the beginning of the alliance of economic and military cooperation in 1931 and thereafter? It would be fascinating to know what kind of hilt was attached to the tang at that time!

-Geoff

David R · 7th January 2020, 09:46 PM

Very interesting, and watching for more on this one.

Rich · 7th January 2020, 11:37 PM

Interesting, but definitely not Japanese style. Very strange - looking for more discussion.
Rich

Edster · 8th January 2020, 02:21 AM

Here's a link that describes the Japan Sword Company that is said to have made US naval swords before & after WW2. The logo stamp is the same as shown on subject sword.

http://www.usmilitariaforum.com/foru...pany-purchase/

Martin Lubojacky · 8th January 2020, 08:00 AM

Thank you.
So it seems, based on what Edster wrote, that the Japan Sword company delivered some swords to Ethiopia, probably during the Haile Selassie era, since the style of the blade is similar to those custom-designed straight-sword blades delivered from other countries.
This is the only "Japan Sword" blade I saw - in contrast to many German, UK, FR. Maybe the delivery was small or it was some gift... It is really a pity that the whole swor did not hang over.
Martin

pbleed · 8th January 2020, 10:11 PM

I so rarely have anything to contribute to this forum that it took me a while to add to this discussion. And in that delay, I think the issue of this blade has largely been solved. It is ABSOLUTELY a blade made my the Japan Sword Co. Ltd.
This company was operated by Inami Hakusui who was a kind and generous man who wrote a book entitled "The Japanese Sword" in 1948. This book did a great deal did a great deal to encourage sword appreciation. They also do a great deal of business in modern and military swords so my bet is that this little blade came from one of their over-the-counter daggers that found its was to Africa.
Peter

David · 9th January 2020, 08:44 PM

Not really my area, but the Japan Sword Company, Ltd. is still in business. it was started around 1900 apparently. They have both a website and a Facebook page. It is certainly the same business since the logo seen on Martin's blade is the same exact one that shows at the top of their website. They are located near Tokyo and sell both antiques as well as replicas of swords and armour and do restoration and polish.
My question, which i can't seem to find yet through internet search, is was it always called that or is this a post WWII name. I know that one way of dating objects made in Japan is that before the occupation after WWII many object made for sale in the world market said "Nippon", not "Japan".

MUFASA · 1st April 2020, 05:35 PM

Very interesting and fascinating blade!!!

7th January 2020, 08:05 PM	#1
Martin Lubojacky Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Czech Republic Posts: 841	Sword "made in Japan" in Ethiopia During Menelik II and Haile Selassie I, (blades of) swords and sabers were delivered to Ethiopia from many, or various at least, countries in Europe (e.g. Germany, France, UK, Italy, ...). It was surprise for me to discover this a little bit damaged Japan blade in Addis Ababa. The blade is ca 50 cms long, straight, relatively thick, nickel plated. The tongue of the handle is relatively long, curved (I did not see any inscription on it). Attached Images

9th January 2020, 08:44 PM	#8
David Keris forum moderator Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Nova Scotia Posts: 7,123	Not really my area, but the Japan Sword Company, Ltd. is still in business. it was started around 1900 apparently. They have both a website and a Facebook page. It is certainly the same business since the logo seen on Martin's blade is the same exact one that shows at the top of their website. They are located near Tokyo and sell both antiques as well as replicas of swords and armour and do restoration and polish. My question, which i can't seem to find yet through internet search, is was it always called that or is this a post WWII name. I know that one way of dating objects made in Japan is that before the occupation after WWII many object made for sale in the world market said "Nippon", not "Japan". Attached Images

7th January 2020, 08:16 PM	#2
G. Mansfield Member Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Posts: 83	Very interesting post Martin. Could it be a product of trade from the prewar era, specifically after the Treaty of Friendship and Commerce in 1930 into the beginning of the alliance of economic and military cooperation in 1931 and thereafter? It would be fascinating to know what kind of hilt was attached to the tang at that time! -Geoff

7th January 2020, 09:46 PM	#3
David R Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 1,079	Very interesting, and watching for more on this one.

7th January 2020, 11:37 PM	#4
Rich Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: comfortably at home, USA Posts: 432	Interesting, but definitely not Japanese style. Very strange - looking for more discussion. Rich

8th January 2020, 02:21 AM	#5
Edster Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Posts: 408	Here's a link that describes the Japan Sword Company that is said to have made US naval swords before & after WW2. The logo stamp is the same as shown on subject sword. http://www.usmilitariaforum.com/foru...pany-purchase/

8th January 2020, 08:00 AM	#6
Martin Lubojacky Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Czech Republic Posts: 841	Thank you. So it seems, based on what Edster wrote, that the Japan Sword company delivered some swords to Ethiopia, probably during the Haile Selassie era, since the style of the blade is similar to those custom-designed straight-sword blades delivered from other countries. This is the only "Japan Sword" blade I saw - in contrast to many German, UK, FR. Maybe the delivery was small or it was some gift... It is really a pity that the whole swor did not hang over. Martin

8th January 2020, 10:11 PM	#7
pbleed Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Little Rock, Arkansas Posts: 88	I so rarely have anything to contribute to this forum that it took me a while to add to this discussion. And in that delay, I think the issue of this blade has largely been solved. It is ABSOLUTELY a blade made my the Japan Sword Co. Ltd. This company was operated by Inami Hakusui who was a kind and generous man who wrote a book entitled "The Japanese Sword" in 1948. This book did a great deal did a great deal to encourage sword appreciation. They also do a great deal of business in modern and military swords so my bet is that this little blade came from one of their over-the-counter daggers that found its was to Africa. Peter

1st April 2020, 05:35 PM	#9
MUFASA Member Join Date: Mar 2020 Location: Rimini Posts: 25	Very interesting and fascinating blade!!!