Soten Gunto?

[IJASWORDS]

HI all, I got this pretty little (22inch) WW2 mounted sword, I have been told, is SOTEN. Nice engraved silver HABAKI with hundreds of little stars, MUMEI, with a provision for a SARUTE.

I would love to learn more about its age locality or any thing else about it. The fittings look like a SAMURAI helmet, Samurai battle fan etc.

Looking forward to hearing from you, Neil.

[Geraint]

Hi Neil,

 

  Whoever told you the sword was Soten may have miscommunicated.  Soten is a school of tsuba makers and I couldn't comment based on your pictures.  We will all want to see a view of the whole sword with the tsuka and tsuba removed.  Please do some shots and give us some more measurements.  A full frontal picture of the tsuba will also help us to give you more information.

 

Looking forward to seeing what you have got.

 

All the best.

[Stephen]

All fittings look very good at first light, close up need as requested

[IJASWORDS]

Hi, I hope the attached photos help with identification. My interest is WW2 swords and I certainly show my ignorance when it comes to NIHONTO. I have some "old" blades in WW2 KOSHIRAE, and will probably have to post photos here over time to get a proper identification of them. Looked up SOTEN and yes, found it is a school of fittings. Even saw an example like mine, open work with SAMURAI MEMPO and HELMET designs. Any way appreciate your honest opinions. Neil.  

[Stephen]

Neil

 

Nice Wakizashi, i dont think we need anymore group photos, rather close ups to tell quality of work.

[IJASWORDS]

Hi, what would you like close up photos of? I am happy to oblige. This will point me in the right direction for other posts in future. Neil

[Stephen]

Fuchi, kashira, tsuba, any activity you can capture on blades hada, hamon, kissaki.

[Stephen]

some thing to shoot for

http://www.aoijapan.com/fittings/fuchikashira

http://www.aoijapan.com/fittings/tsuba

 

http://www.aoijapan.com/wakizashi-mumei-echizen-kanenori

[Stephen]

classic soten 

 

[IJASWORDS]

Hi, (thanks Stephen great links), Hope these photos help. It is with an iPhone, and I cant do any better!! Sorry. If you could look at these in conjunction with the other posts it may help. Neil.

[IJASWORDS]

Stephen, finally got a HAMON shot by eliminating bright light. Neil.

[Stephen]

N 

 

I really cant help much every thing looks to middle of the road, sword and fittings, would like to see kashira. 

[IJASWORDS]

Hi Stephen, did my best to photograph KASHIRA. Hope it helps, Neil.

[Stephen]

interesting first ive seen like that, fuchi may better quality than thought if it matches

[IJASWORDS]

Hi Stephen, yes there is quality and matching SAMURAI theme. The KASHIRA is a SAMURAI helmet, the FUCHI has a SAMURAI face mask (MEMPO), the TSUBA has a SAMURAI battle fan. The MENUKI look like SAMURAI warriors (but covered by wrapping). I have seen this SOTEN theme some where before but cant remember where. Hope we are getting closer to a landing. Neil.

[Gordon Sanders]

Your pic skills are getting better. Try taking pics of the tsuba again with it elevated above the carpet. It seems your camera was focusing on carpet instead of tsuba

[IJASWORDS]

Thanks, will do. Neil