Posted 6 years ago
KalamaColl…
(1 item)
I found this item at an estate sale in Washington State a few years back, and purchased it thinking it might be a silver "coaster" or something like that. After having it packed away for a while, I recently opened a box and re-discovered it. There is Japanese writing on the reverse, so I took a picture of the inscription and forward it to a friends dad that is native born Japanese to see if he could translate for me. His response surprised me. This is the exact verbiage he sent back: "It's a fragment of a bomb inscribed; Hiroshima, August 1945. Made in Richland, WA USA". Can anyone on this forum that reads Japanese review the picture and either confirm, correct or dispute his interpretation?
![[GN1-04-5-15] Japanese Sword: NBTHK Masahori Katana in Shirasaya & Koshirae](https://i.ebayimg.com/thumbs/images/g/KTUAAOSwEglmI~L-/s-l225.jpg)
![[GN1-04-5-02] Japanese Sword: Mumei Tanto in Katana Koshirae](https://i.ebayimg.com/thumbs/images/g/aN8AAOSwDEVmIqiK/s-l225.jpg)
![[GN1-04-5-14] Japanese Sword: Mumei Katana in Shirasaya & Koshirae + Tsunagi](https://i.ebayimg.com/thumbs/images/g/g2gAAOSwjTVmI-1-/s-l225.jpg)
Fake war items are a dime a dozen. Regardless of the inscription you would be better off having it examined by a historian or university. Anyone can write anything on an object. This is in excellent shape which should make you question how it survived the blast and heat. I have picked up bomb shrapnel but none in this condition.
by the way if it was part of the hiroshima bomb, it would be highly radioactive, I went in japan and the hiroshima site is still quite radioactive so much years ago
use a geiger counter to see if it's a fake or if you'll have to check in at an hospital : )
Richland was the nearest town/city where the reactor that made the plutonium cores... so it maybe a piece of equipment, reformed, that was produced sometime after from the decommissioning of the plant.
T A
I have ocean front property in Arizona for sale if anyone is interested. Limited time offer.
Thanks for the insights. I have forwarded the photos and description to the Atomic Heritage Foundation to see if they can shed any light on the item, or offer information about other research organizations.
I too am skeptical of the "bombing" part, but wonder since it originated in Washington state if it has something to do with the production of the weapons. Perhaps recycled machinery or parts that were offered as souvenirs post WWII.
I'll update this posting with any information I may come across.
I mean no disrespect but I hope you can see why I have my doubts. Perhaps Scottvez will give some input on this. He is a collector with experience with items like this and his opinion is normally respected.
So it doesn’t say “ made in Richland Washington, USA” in English, that’s written in Kanji? Because it seems like a lot of information conveyed in so few characters. I looked up Hiroshima and that’s written in two characters and the three horizontal lines looks like the number 3... I think perhaps your friend is joking with you?
T A
I would say your friend was joking as the horizontal text says pure silver, then maybe the makers mark.
https://eudict.com/?lang=engjpk&word=pure%20silver
T A
Makers mark says Mitsukoshi. ( I cannot make out the fifth character to decipher what it says).
T A
Well I've been pranked! I was the victim of the wicked sense of humor of an 88 year old Japanese man that apparently is laughing his butt off currently.
Thanks to all of you that offered feedback and help deciphering/translating!
This has been identified as a silver piece likely designed as a coaster for glass or bottle. Although the original maker/artisan has not been identified, it was sold by the Japanese retailer Mitsukoshi.
Again, thanks for the comments, helpful insights and feedback.
Happy to help.
T A