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Here is a selection of WW2 '94, '98, '97, RS, and MRS types. All have traditionally made Gendai blades, some papered.

A pic from Jace, for posterity (years from now, photo links often go inaccessible, so we like to post actual photos in case that happens later) "He 300994"

Hisa (久) in grass-script looks more like the following

There is the famous fable of the Fox and the Grapes, but as I recall, the fox never actually made it to the grapes and gave up without getting any. They were probably sour anyway.

There is an interesting article on cleaning Iron guards here: http://www.japaneseswordindex.com/tsuba/tsubacln.htm I am not sure I would agree with "NEVER clean the inside of the sukashi". One of mine had a piece of rock wedged in a cavity that obviously wasn't there as decoration and other greasy objects that blocked up other undercutting - I can't see the retention of this adding any cultural or aesthetic value.

I once had no. 1024 many, many years ago, when four digits were sufficient.....

I need some help, first on the possible school and secondly the term for this guard shape? I have only ever seen one other like it in nearly forty years but would be grateful for any other examples or information. Images are from an auction site and I can't add extra views.

Hi all, I would like to ask your opinion on this Hanbō. It has rather pronounced cheeks and smooth lines and if of four-piece construction with a four-step Yodare-kake throat guard. The lower part with a very huge Ase nagashi no ana drain hole under the chin is riveted to the upper part. The drain hole is 16 mm in diameter. The ear protections are decorated with a pierced design and are also riveted. The metal is rather thin and the edge along the cheeks and mouth has a slightly raised rim. Please see the photos' for details. With best regards and thank you in advance. Jesper

All, I asked Brian to upload an article titled “Swords of the Tea Masters” in pdf format. It was in a periodical called “Chanoyu Quarterly” which is now out of print. While not in-depth Nihonto info and written more for a tea ceremony practitioner audience, some might still enjoy the read. You will find it in the ‘download’ section. Hope you will find it interesting. Mark S.

Hi Jerome and welcome, your english is completely fine - better than some of the native speakers on occasion! Unfortunately this is a poor fake of a Kyu Gunto parade sabre, best to avoid this example. There are fakes of just about every Japanese sword type these days, police models are no exception.

Pictures of the serial number posted in a new thread. Late war gunto stamps follow-up

Jérôme, sorry to be of no help with your inquiry, but your English is as good as anyone's here! Félicitations pour cela, et amitiés pour la Savoie!

It is really rough for snake skin, so I definitely think it's Ray skin. I think on the signature I'm going to declare the second character to be 久 and move on. It's not like I'll ever find information on that smith anyway. It definitely looks to be a three stroke cursive kanji, so I can't think of any others that would be in that shape. Only 之 would be as simple, but the shape doesn't really match up in terms of stroke order.

Hello Tony, I made this Tachi Sword Stand out of some pieces of wood I had.. I converted the Bedroom Closet to a "Tokonoma" (Alcove) ...

No problem Tony. Its only my opinion.

An example of an early Edo blade. Not the same but guess you can say its in the ball park Appealing with the long kissaki https://www.toukenkomachi.com/index_en_tachi&katana_A060221.html

Charles here is another strange description of a 'Fox' when in fact it is a Squirrel - after all how many foxes do you see amongst grape vines? https://www.jauce.com/auction/w461307967 [Still ]

Yes, Feb 1942 and Seki stamp. VERY nice writing....we don't usually see such high quality on showato Regards, To add: (sorry Brian) but ROKUJURO, I see you are located "in a deep valley"...can't help thinking of the word "crevice" ...to quote General Melchet in Blackadder "Now Blackadder, security is not a dirty word, but crevice, well, that is an absolutely filthy word". (Sorry, English humour)....can't help it.

I can't be sure, but: I think the shape was popularized by Kotetsu so you don't really see it before him (there is related late Momoyama shape, but quite different still), Inoue Shinkai did his usual waki-sticks... Maybe he wanted to disproof everyone believing that the first sign of great sword is great sugata. After Kotetsu it was practiced quite often by Satsuma (maybe since they were effectively the only conistantly competent smiths in the 18th century) and through them got to Suishinshi Masahide who produced a lot of works in this sugata.

Ww2 gunto The thread

Deyanne, you are correct to ask this. Indeed, very good work from famous artists can bear signatures somewhere on the item, like you see them on good NETSUKE. However, many good artists lost their traditional profession by the end of the SAMURAI era (1878), and they tried to make a living by producing items like these. Their work was no longer seen as arts, but more as crafts, as they did repetitive work. Generally, we see a decline in quality in this period, as working time became a factor of production. If you could compare lacquerware from the EDO period with the same made for export at the end of the 19th century, you will see that very clearly.

I see the blades as being the latter of the 2 Grey mentioned. Basically rough, not forged or folded. Just a 100+ yr old export/tourist piece. Genuine Japanese though, and of some age. Just not a real "Japanese sword" Agree it's likely glued in there.

From what I can see, I bet the blade is either the working end of a broken katana that has been partially reshaped to erase the yokote (division line at the point) or something made quickly at the same time as the mounts were made. I agree that it is probably glued into the handle and there is nothing to be gained by trying to remove it (and the handle may get broken if you try). Grey

嘉 is one of the characters. Normally I would think it's part of an era name - 嘉永 (Kaei, 1848-1855) but the bits before and after aren't right, and the era is completely wrong for Kanetaka - even for someone faking Kanetaka. A mystery for now.

It's Mondonosho Masakiyo. I bought it without papers but obviously I saw the signature... which is btw not the most typical for him, so I was happy it papered - and possibly despite couple of kanji being a bit off... well, he did change the writing somewhat over the years and right before he went to the Shogun, so probably its from this time My take is that there are couple of things here. First there are well defined "gaps" in nie right in the middle of hamon. This is something popularized by Inoue Shinkai and after him a lot of Soshu style works tried to do this. But Shinkai would have dense, Osaka-style jigane. Here the jigane has almost koto feeling, with wide elements, somewhat rough and darkish, with ara nie. We'll see this jigane a lot in shinshinto but with much more ara nie... Its Satsuma. So its a top quality shinto work in Soshu style with Satsuma jigane.... Masakiyo.

Charles: I am afraid your Horses are actually Squirrels. There is another version [utsushi] here: https://www.pinterest.com.au/pin/592856738422229900/ Though to be truthful the heads on yours do look more horse-like. [Artistic license?] (Sorry to intrude, I am as far from Canada as you can get ! ) https://www.ultimform.top/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=9_10&products_id=10214 This is a spurious site, so don't try buying anything from them, it is a con - but I am sure they won't mind me stealing their stolen image!!

Nice Tsuba just got nicer.

Not exactly a "flashy" gunto, but a nice one nonetheless. I mentioned in the "Manchurian eye Candy" thread that I was thinking of bidding on those high class mounts which celebrated 25 years of service to the SMR, however, this early Mantetsu blade in combat mounts took precedent! Hope you enjoy the pictures I took, I know @Bruce Penningtonwill.

Perhaps more ... https://www.google.com/search?q=Morimitsu+wakizashi%3A+(1%2C800%2C000+JPY)&oq=Morimitsu+wakizashi%3A+(1%2C800%2C000+JPY)&aqs=chrome..69i57&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8 Length, plus, quality of polish, quality of koshirae, not to mention quality of the sword itself in addition to the presence of a date can quickly account for price differences. All of these factors have to be evaluated carefully. A discriminating collector will be searching and looking for the best example, top 10%, of a particular smith's work. Something that stands out. While shopping, especially with a reasonable budget, a reputable dealer(s) can help in finding an excellent example that meets all your objectives.

I would say that the date does add a great deal - but what we are seeing here is not the hamon but the polish - really need better photos of the temperline. Its Aoi so I am going to pop over and see if there are oshigata, The other thing you need is a close examination of the jigane - if the Morimitsu is tighter overall and the Yasumitsu has openings or small imperfections that could also hurt the price. Condition is everything... -t

Oh wow. I haven't found #173 yet, but I will. They have The Yasuchika (Highly ranked National Treasure) on their Facebook feed: https://www.facebook.com/263948137029136/photos/a.264017607022189/2996228090467780/?type=3&theater I've never seen a better image of it. Saving that down to my little research files now. I think I would trade off all but 2 of my collection for it. A collection of 3 tsuba.... to dream.

Minatogawa Masatada got from a friend in Cicago nearly 100% original perfect! 66,8 Nagasa sori 2,1 cm koshi-zori please enjoy

Photo added for posterity Just came across this one, a kabutogane cover, HERE