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天明六丙午歳初春 – Tenmei 6 Hinoe-Uma year (1786), early spring 源應擧寫 – Minamoto Okyo’s painting Ref. Maruyama Ōkyo - Wikipedia

Hey fellow Tosogu fanatics! I've been away from the board for a little while due to work taking up much of my attention recently but that doesn't mean I've stopped collecting these past few months! I have a couple new acquisitions I have been waiting to share with the board so this post is well overdue! As the title suggests, two of my latest acquisitions include birds in the mise-en-scene! Hoping for any knowledge the board might have about the artists Toryusai Kiyohisa or Marukawa Hiroyoshi (Mito school). Also, post your favourite birds from your own collections!

It's a soden bizen blade with a nice jigane that wasn't evident from the photos on their website. It's pity that they don't entertain visits to their store to view their blades in person, but the owner is a stand-up guy to work with.

Though I must say that Tsuruginoya has by far the best packaging of all the sword dealers I've worked with in Japan. The sword arrived via UPS from Japan to the US in only 1 day. EMS would have taken a week.

Thanks Sam. This is all about personal value, and has nothing to do with monetary value. The tassles were not round like a bag tassle. Nothing like them. They were flat, tightly woven with that silver fleck, brown and bright yellow. The only thing is I can't recall the red backing. But hey, it's 60 years ago when I was a 10 year old that I'm trying to remember. I'm very pleased that I now know what the sword is, and, where and approximately when it was made. That's a huge pleasure for me. It is a shame that a little kid in rural NSW, and really also my dad, didn't know the significance of those tassles. My dad had no interest In the war. He did his bit. It happened. Two of my uncles didn't come back. One on the Burma railway and the other died in a plane crash in the North Pacific and is buried on Vancouver Island, Canada. My dad was not interested in glorifying the war. That sword, the invasion money, and a Japanese pilot's watch (long lost) were just souvenirs that were in a box in the garage. They were never displayed. I just found them and played with them. Dad had zero interest. So thanks for the information. It is great. John

You get a few different interpretations of the Type 95 patterns, but all generally agree with the basic order. I am working on putting together a photo guide that includes some of the less common transitional patterns; but in the meantime, here's the pattern order list that I use for my cataloging; created with both ohmura's list and the addition of transitional patterns that I have observed. The patterns with asterisks and in red font, are the noted transitional patterns. Work in progress: Patterns in order Pattern 1 = Copper tuska - 11mm Brass tsuba - Offset ito at fuchi. *Pattern 2a = Aluminum handle - 9mm Brass tsuba - Offset ito - punctured ito. SUYA, 東 .* *Pattern 2b = Aluminum handle - 9mm Brass tsuba - Offset ito - adjusted ito around mekugi. GIFU, 名. * Pattern 2 = Aluminium tsuka - 9mm Brass tsuba - Mirrored ito. Pattern 3 = Aluminium tsuka - Steel tsuba - Mirrored ito. *Pattern 3a = Aluminum handle - steel tsuba - mirrored ito - no bohi. *Pattern 3b = Aluminum handle - Top latch but with side latch cutout - mirrored ito. Pattern 4 = Aluminium tsuka - Steel tsuba - Side latch - Mirrored ito. Pattern 5 = Wooden tsuka - Steel Tsuba - Side Latch - No Bohi - Steel saya. Pattern 6 = Wooden tsuka - Steel Tsuba - Side Latch - No Bohi - Wooden saya. Pattern 7 = Wooden ringed tsuka - Steel Tsuba - Side Latch - No Bohi. Here is a really great thread topic that goes over some of the earlier transitional patterns: https://www.militaria.co.za/nmb/topic/31314-Japanese-type-95-sword-for-ncos/ All the best, -Sam

I would like to add 2 more NCO typology as this thread is becoming leading one. I know that first is covered by another but description give more value.

https://jp.mercari.com/item/m49776336419 One with a handle - Trivet

Bruce, The mei is Ando Kanemoto. Conway

Oh and I just remembered that dad said he got it off a Colonel in Rabaul. My dad was a sort of commando with a Bren gun. In the later years of the war he was on jungle patrols along with an ammo carrier who carried about 20 spare bren magazines, a radio guy, and 4 or 5 guys with Owens and lots of grenades. He was probably on security detail in Rabaul during the surrender, as he was not an officer.

Address is Hiroshima city, Asahi machi, Group 21 廣島市旭町二十一組 Next to that is a name ISHIMAE something-matsu 石前囗松　 Maybe the name is Sanmatsu (参松), or Hikomatsu (彦松) or something like that. Asahi-machi was about 3kms from ground zero (red circle in the map below). I'm not sure what "group 21" is. Maybe a neighborhood association. No need to worry about radiation. Most of the fallout would have dissipated (decayed) by now. I don't think there is anything left for a Geiger counter to react to.

Ohhh. Well there is always that. Thought it was a new HS Code or something.

Wouldn't that be cool? Even though i've accomplished quite a bit with my cataloging, I still feel like I have a lot to learn surrounding the arsenal and manufacturing landscape of WW2 Japan. Maybe someday with some help. -Sam

Here you go fresh 835$ sale it was posted already kokura 109267

Fading can really change tassel colors, too. Just a possibility.

Here's another tariff data point for swords shipping from Japan. So I've just received my first sword via UPS from Japan. All other times I've received swords from Japan though EMS. Apparently, with UPS, you are forced to pay customs/duties unlike with EMS when it's a crapshot. So my tariff bill came out to 15% of the sword price, which I fortunately managed to significantly minimize because of a suggestion from the dealer.

I’ll have a couple at the Birmingham Arms fair later this month, the last 2 tanto from my collection. Both will be greatly reduced at just over £1000 (not $) One shinsakuto in high quality Japanese polish and s/s by a multi prize winning smith, signed, dated etc The other a large healthy signed Shinto Mino smith in full koshirae and decent polish. Welcome to come have a look. Always best to handle before buying.

I have a Tantō that would fit your preferences and budget. But it is located in the EU and slightly more expensive than 1K USD. https://www.militaria.co.za/nmb/topic/51710-nbthk-hozon-tanto-signed-nio-kiyosada-late-muromachi-period/#comment-558254

@Matsunoki @paulb Know of anything?

Close? The Norimitsu Odachi is a huge sword. It is so large, in fact, that it was said to have been wielded by a giant. It was forged in the 15th century AD, measuring 3.77 meters (12.37 ft.) in length, and weighing as much as 14.5 kg (31.97 lbs.)

Now you need the others in the set! Horses: & Daimyo procession: 280 mm x 252 mm 275mm x 245mm x 7mm Weight 1884g There is another type but it is constructed differently and may be from another company.

This was very cheap and I found it interesting so I have bought it. Useful learning experience?? A lot of work has gone into it but the one thing I have learned is that dating some of these can be very tricky. When it arrives I will provide all necessary info. Many thanks looking

Thank you very much for your detailed responses. The tassle was definitely woven silk exactly the same as the photo above, except I don't remember the red backing. I remember it being very nice with the same tight weave pattern. Brown and Yellow, but I can't remember a red backing. Absolutely not leather. The scabard has the same serial number, so that matches. I've read that New Britain had 100,000+ Japanese soldiers at the war's end. They were the invasion force destined for Australia but after Midway they had no way to be transported for the invasion. As an aside we had a shoe box full of invasion money which we used when playing Monopoly and card games. I raise you 10,000 invasion dollars!! I might have a few $100,000 left but 90+% is gone. No idea where.

Hi Stefano, Pretty much what John said, top two look like Temmei last one looks like spring 天 明 六 丙 午 歲 ? 春

I was out of the house for today. I'll go ahead and reach out!

Ichi/Kokura 107555 - ebay page Gifu/Kokura 78883 - ebay page Seki Shoten/Kokura 104769 - ebay page

John, The two colors are not what we see on Japanese rank tassels. Without a photo, it won't be possible to tell you what it was. We have seen a variety of unknown tassels on swords. A good many of them were from sword bags and placed on the swords. I suspect some of them were local productions. As John, PNSSHOGUN, alluded to, many units were effectively abandoned by Japan and forced to fend for themselves. As to the officer carrying this, again, we are off to pure speculation. Officers were allowed to rent and buy Type 95 gunto due to repeated sword shortages during the war. It is possible that this is the reason for this one. There are many other scenarios I could imagine (his favorite NCO was killed and the officer was carrying his sword, etc, etc). But, for us, it will remain a mystery.

As Rabaul wasn't taken by force the Japanese were more or less left to their own devices after the surrender, you sometimes see swords from Rabaul with quite detailed owners tags that list the officers name, detachment, and details of the sword itself.

Hi John, cool sword. It's a pattern 2, Type 95 Shin-Gunto with the aluminum handle and brass tsuba. Yours has the Iijima factory stamp, TO stamp ((東)Tokyo first army arsenal supervisory section)), and Tokyo first army arsenal trademark star stamp. The date range I have for this serial number range and stamps is a little wide... It was made between September 1942 and March 1945; and probably sometime near the middle of that range, in my opinion based on my data. They are pretty collectible so take good care of it. Does the scabbard have a number that matches the blade? It would be near the opening where the blade inserts. -Sam

Interesting wakizashi https://www.shigure-militaria.com/blank/edo-era-mumei-imperial-Japanese-army-field-officer-s-gunto

There is an active nihonto club in your state of Indiana. If you want to get some eyes on your sword for more opinions, they would be great people to contact. @ChrisW https://indianatokenkai.wixsite.com/indiana-token-kai Nice looking blade, congrats; and welcome to the forum! -Sam

I like it. I was aware of its size. Now I can only imagine my wife's face when she sees the last tsuba hanging on the front door. If I wanted to remove the red rust, I think I'd need a complete skeleton.

I have randomly acquired a Shin Gunto, with the usual "it came back from Japan" story. However as I looked into it, it became apparent it could be quite significant. I am told it was found near Ground Zero. Can anyone translate the paper label on the side of the Saya for me? Thank in advance Warwick

Just a point of clarification, Chernobyl is more irradiated not because it was a ground explosion vs elevated, but because of the amount of fissionable materials that were released when the reactor exploded. Reactors hold thousands of pounds of fuel versus the hundred+ in the bombs. That in combination with the type of radiation released and its half life, compared to that of the bombs, is why Pripyat is still a danger zone vs Nagasaki and Hiroshima.

The bomb at Hiroshima detonated high above the ground, and much of the radiation dispersed into the atmosphere rather than into the ground. That's one reason why places like Hiroshima and Nagasaki are not irradiated zones like Chernobyl. -Sam

Damn you, that is a steal!

Dear Nathaniel. I believe this is Echizen no kami Nobuyoshi,(but I had to turn the picture the right way up to read!) All the best.

Field grade knot for Kyu Gunto in the original wood box, condition is excellent with no signs of ever being on a sword. $220USD + postage

And the blade by Masanori

Is this the one?

Hello, one here with the 'patina' intact and the right way up! https://www.jauce.com/auction/e1193417263 "Tsuba, ornaments, sword fittings" and nothing to see on the ura

Quick get your wallets out! https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/226875719520 or https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/226875705267 US $329.99 ApproximatelyAU $506.97 Or https://jp.mercari.com/item/m23105341320 USD$ $23.90 Seems a large price difference? Well factor in the shipping cost for in excess of 1.5 kg of iron! What both sites fail to reveal is the size of this "Edo Period Antique" (Age: 1800-1849) - around 30cm or just under a foot in height, the fact that it is a wall hanging "object" is not mentioned and no view of the ura is shown either - and why don't they know which way up a tsuba should be seen? Still they did go to the trouble of removing all the factory applied patina to reveal the "silver" colour! [Oh and that is the strangest "Crane" I have ever seen!]

Waffle iron?

I think you might need a days head start in any battle.

Or do you have very small hands?

Hard to say… it looks young. Late edo, showa, gendai.who is going to tell us?

Wow. Tsuba or a gong?

At least the Jauce one gives the dimensions… I would imagine that someone will get a hell of a shock when they order a tsuba and get a porthole cover instead…