Japanese Razor From Iwo Jima

Hi All!

My old Boy Scout Scoutmaster is a former Marine who survived Iwo Jima. He has a Japanese Folding Straight Razor in the box that it was purchased in that he found in a pillbox shortly after the island was semi secure. He also has the hone that was lying beside the razor. He loaned me both to have pictures taken. I sent the pictures to JimR, he was able to give me a little information. I was hoping that perhaps my fellow members could take a look and help translate the writings. I work with a woman who is from Japan, she can read the handwriting on the inside of the box, but can't translate what it says.

I stropped it and it actually gave a decent shave! Not scary sharp, but with two passes and a third on the chin, it met my companies shaving standard for over 24 hours!

The hone is two sided with a semi coarse and a fine side. (I've gone back to my original post and I'm correcting myself here! It's a fine side and a finer side)

Since I'm such a Mastodon when it comes to computers, Mike is going to post pictures. I'm sure he'll join in soon.

My old scoutmaster (Owen) is 88 and I'd really like to tell him more about the razor and what it says.

I hope all will enjoy this precious piece of history! Oh! Owen also served 9 months as part of the occupation force in Japan.

Great story. Thanks for sharing. I am eagerly anticipating the photos and the information that will come from them.

My dad served in WWII as well, but it was in Europe. He did not come home with any razors though. I do have his straight razor that he used before going into the service. He decided that he should not use it where he could get bumped at those long latrine sinks and switched to a DE.

My dad passed away in August of 2002. I really miss talking with my dad and wish I could tell him that I am shaving with a straight.

Treasure all the time and stories you can get (or have gotten) from your scoutmaster Owen. They are a precious thing.


I want to give my deepest thanks to all the veterans who have given so much to ensure the freedoms we have.

Yes! 1+ Let's hear and see! Looking forward to it! Historical razors are abundant, but this one has two stories!

ok, fella's, here is the razor and scroll work cudarunner was talking about. Sorry I was so late posting, but I was actually SHAVING, with my new Friodur, thanks to cudarunner!!!

Ok, here are the pics.. Someone give us a hand???

M

Attachment 72154Attachment 72153Attachment 72150Attachment 72152Attachment 72151

Thanks for sharing. That's a great bit of history you got there. How great it is your friend lent it to you.

I've read about the fight on Iwo Jima, a nasty piece of business. Anyone who made it back from there was tough and lucky - but mostly tough. Tell Owen Semper Fi!

...Ray

I've seen some cool razor stories and cool razors, but this one is definitely in the top ten in my book. Thanks for sharing.

Looks like your scoutmaster friend kept it well. A special piece of history for sure.

The hone looks perfect.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Hirlau

The hone looks perfect.

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I've seen a couple of videos where they talk about the Japanese way of honing as moving the blade back and forth/spine to edge. With the width of the hone only about 1 1/4" wide, it would seem that it would have had to have been used with X strokes!!??

That's a great story, what I find interesting is that for the original owner of the razor and the hone, the items were just utilitarian pieces of kit that just performed a necessary function. I don't imagine that it would have occurred to the owner that such a pieces of equipment would have been the subject of such international interest all of these years later.
Thank you for sharing.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by cudarunner

Hi All!

My old Boy Scout Scoutmaster is a former Marine who survived Iwo Jima. He has a Japanese Folding Straight Razor in the box that it was purchased in that he found in a pillbox shortly after the island was semi secure.
....snip....

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Interesting...
Nice frameback
Nice old hone.

The box has some English on it
it may have been a product that was
also exported. The personal information
on the box may prove interesting to
those that can match it to the
large body of history....

In general I am of a mind to clean up
and hone up any old razor that passes
my way. This one may have more
historical value if kept well and safe.

OK Guys!

Jim sent me this update from Japan:

"The name is probably Mitsuru Higuchi, from the Ezaki troop in the 51st Western Division.

If you found WWII historian, they might be able to tell you more. I can't find much info on the deployment of troops or division names from the war.

I will say, the military deployment at Iwo Jima was the 109th. The 51st was deployed in New Guinea in 42 or so."

Quote:

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Originally Posted by easyace

That's a great story, what I find interesting is that for the original owner of the razor and the hone, the items were just utilitarian pieces of kit that just performed a necessary function. I don't imagine that it would have occurred to the owner that such a pieces of equipment would have been the subject of such international interest all of these years later.
Thank you for sharing.

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Something just popped up in my head!! Water was an EXTREMELY VALUABLE RESOURCE on Iwo!! Those guys were probably dry shaving!!

I don't imagine that after the Marines launched the invasion, that there was any time to shave!

My Dad and and Uncle where both on Iwo Jima during the battle. One went in on the first wave, the other on the second. Both long gone now. Semper Fi. A great historic piece, IMO. It would give me goosebumps to shave with that razor.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Oscar1953

My Dad and and Uncle where both on Iwo Jima during the battle. One went in on the first wave, the other on the second. Both long gone now. Semper Fi. A great historic piece, IMO. It would give me goosebumps to shave with that razor.

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To hold the razor in my hand is beyond description/let alone actually being able to shave with it!!!! What a Rush!!!!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Oscar1953

It would give me goosebumps to shave with that razor.

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Man! Talk about weepers! :D

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Thanks Roy for sharing this great story. I hope someone in the know can step in and provide some more information. With all of the members on SRP and all of the interests represented, I have to believe there's someon who either knows the info surrounding/pertinent to this razor, or at least knows someone who knows the info. Iwo Jima is one of the most well known Pacific Islands in the world because of what Owen was involved in.

Side-Note: My highschool was blessed with a bronze edition of the Iwo Jima monument by the original artist. When I was in HS I worked with the crew that built the display stand in the school's foyer, and was awarded the school's first ever Iwo-Jima Memoral Scholarship. The whole thing came about because of the relationship between the original artist and one of the history teachers there. He's now long retired, but my dad teaches in that school...maybe he can provide a lead. I'll see.

Peace,

Quote:

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Originally Posted by BigJim

Man! Talk about weepers! :D

===

Thanks Roy for sharing this great story. I hope someone in the know can step in and provide some more information. With all of the members on SRP and all of the interests represented, I have to believe there's someon who either knows the info surrounding/pertinent to this razor, or at least knows someone who knows the info. Iwo Jima is one of the most well known Pacific Islands in the world because of what Owen was involved in.

Side-Note: My highschool was blessed with a bronze edition of the Iwo Jima monument by the original artist. When I was in HS I worked with the crew that built the display stand in the school's foyer, and was awarded the school's first ever Iwo-Jima Memoral Scholarship. The whole thing came about because of the relationship between the original artist and one of the history teachers there. He's now long retired, but my dad teaches in that school...maybe he can provide a lead. I'll see.

Peace,

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Thanks Jim!

I've found that 'Posts' seem to 'die' rather quickly. I would ask that all members that view this would send a link to all of their contacts and ask them to forward to their contacts. It's kind of like a chain letter/Pyramid the more who see it the more likely we'll have more information!!

I would ask all who see this post to send it along! My old Scoutmaster is 88 and won't live forever. I would truly love to tell him as much as I can about the historical pieces that he has in his possession!

Thanks to ALL!!

Roy

Thanks for sharing the story and having the pictures put up! Kindly thank your Scoutmaster for his service, it is greatly appreciated.
Hell on earth for both the American Soldiers and the Japanese Soldiers who fought on that real estate.