Ed

Boy's day wakizashi.

I know this is a long shot, but since I have all the rabbit fans assembled in one spot, if any of you have or run across a nice but very small tsuba, in a rabbit theme, please let me know. Not looking for mediocre, it must be pretty nice to match the rest of the koshirae. The tsuba needs to measure approximately 2.5" x 2.125" Nakago Ana width(Mihaba) needs to be no less than: 3/4 (0.75”) (19mm) & no greater than: 13/16 (0.8125”)(21.63mm) X Nakago Ana Thickness at the spine (Kasane) no less than: 3/16 -(0.1875”)(4.7mm) & no greater than: 1/4 (0.25”)(6.3mm) Actual Nakago size where tsuba will sit: Mihaba 0.75" - (19mm) Kasane(spine) 3/16 -(0.1875")-4.7mm As well, a tiny F/K in a rabbit theme would be great to find. Ed

Interesting and impressive story. Congratulations!!!!!

Like this theme as well. I have a Hisamichi boys day sword which I had restored for my daughter. It was polished and a new saya was made in Japan. The theme is rabbits and grasses/floral. The menuki are long eared rabbits, F/K Mino floral and the saya depicts rabbits in the grasses. The only thing lacking is the perfect tsuba. When it came back from polish, the tsuba sent didn't come back. Fortunately, it was not match for the koshirae either. The Choshu piece Uwe posted would be ideal, if I could find one in a diminutive size. The size is the issue, it being so small. I have purchased several, I hoped would do, but they didn't match well enough. My next option is to make one. As the rabbits on the saya are looking up, I plan to make a simple iron tosho style tsuba with a moon sukashi. BTW: Love the Hoan tsuba!

Marc, Even a newbie should be able to see your tsuba is nowhere close, not even in the same country as the one Darcy posted.

Yes, no, no

Hi Steve, That is why pictures are good. Your sword is in much better condition than I envisioned from your description . Scratches, tarnish, a few spots of rust are things which should be expected on these blades. 95% or more of them have received no proper care since the war. That is over sixty years ago, so a certain amount of wear and tear is expected. Bends, large chips, cracks etc., are different. From what I see yours should bring somewhere in the $1800-$2500 range. Just my guestiment, it and $5 will get you a coffee most places. (plain coffee no fancy lattes). Most people do not regard them as qualifiers for polish as you will pay as much for polish as the blade, maybe more. I have only seen two Mantetsu which have been polished, Bruce's father's bring back and my wakizashi. Bruce had sentimental reason, and my wak was polished when I got it, and I presume it was polished only due to a Mantetsu wakizashi being soooo rare. PS: I have to eat my words from above ("The nakago looks more rusted than most, if not all I have seen".) I picked up another one of these yesterday and it looks just like yours

Yes, the date reads Showa Kanoto Miharu. It was produced and dated spring, 1941. It is dated in the Kanshi or Zodiac method. Steve, No worry, I thought you were trying to decide what to sell it for. But, regardless it is still necessary to see photos in order to formulate a value, which is what you originally asked for

Steve, I would reiterate that $3-4K while not impossible, may be a bit unrealistic. Value is related to condition with the major focus on the blade. The koshirae on yours looks to be in very nice condition, but how about the blade? You have not included any photos of the blade, aside from one distant shot and later the nakago. The nakago looks more rusted than most, if not all I have seen. You mention scars, scratches and patina to show it was used in combat, as well as no photos of the blade. To me, that indicates damage or at least that the sword is less than pristine. Before one could even consider formulating a value, photos of those areas, along with better photos of the blade need to be provided. I have had and sold several Mantetsu this year, including another to be sold soon. The best (aside from the wakizashi), was one where the blade was nearly pristine with the exception of a few surface scratches and minor tarnishing. After seeing what some of these had apparently sold for on e-bay, it was listed at $3250, but eventually sold for much less. Please note, my inquiry is not aimed at undermining your sale but related to your request for valuation. Valuation via photos is difficult at best, but impossible without photos.

Gotta love the sayagaki !

That's debatable.

Tell him when it has been authenticated and papered by the NBTHK to Masamune, he will be taken much more seriously. Until then it is merely another sword with Masamune inscribed in it. It is worth as much as it would be with no signature at this point.

No, I had not, but it is very fine. Thanks for posting it.

Catching up a bit this morning with coffee and saw this thread, nice stuff. I enjoy and appreciate lacquer work, but have very little of it and what I have are small pieces. I prefer the tansu and/or wooden boxes, especially those adorned with metal banding and latches. Here are a couple of mine: Katana dansu: Tansu: Tansu:

Jean, OOPs, my bad. Thanks for catching that typo. Correction, no nie = oil quench. BTW: I removed the link, as I only intended for the few people here following this thread to see it.

Bruce, Ara nie. Generally speaking, no nie = water quench. Quite honestly, I do not know what was the quenching process for Mantetsu or if that ara nie resulted more from the steel not being Tamahagane or from the quench. I will say that using modern, more homogenous steels such as W-2(water quenching steel), I have created nie in an oil quench. A very thin oil, but oil no less. Damn, it is amazing how fast I could sell it at that price Stephen, don't be so sure. shipping would be very expensive

Ok Guys, here is a bit of an update and some additional photos, as promised. Additional research has resulted in additional information being obtained. I have reached out to many collectors who focus primarily on the military facet of Japanese sword collecting. No one that I spoken with has seen another Mantetsu wakizashi. My research seems to indicate that the one other wakizashi mentioned above, the one sold on e-bay some time ago, may not have been legitimate as the "wa" number on the spine does not match the production date. This according to one of our esteemed members who shall remain anonymous. Additional photos may be seen here: http://yakiba.com/Wak_Mantetsu.htm

One person I spoke to briefly while researching my Mantetsu wakizashi seem to know certain production dates related to the spine or "wa" number. Considering this was a business and the Japanese were known to keep detailed records, along with each sword was numbered, I suspect production information exists in records somewhere. Question is will we ever have access to it ?

What a nice story Bruce. It was good of you to do this to honor your father and the sword.

Ok guys, I had more trouble than a one legged man at an ass kicking contest getting these photos. Lighting didn't work, went and purchased new bulbs. Still no light, went back to get new fixture, not in stock locally. Drove 20 mile round trip to another location and purchased the fixture. Got home and the cheap $%^&*'s didn't include a cord. Back to store for cord. What a day, but I didn't want Bruno to die from drooling, so I guess it was worth while. At any rate here are a few photos as promised. I tried to focus on the Nakago, Hamachi, mei and date in order that you guys could see the important features and form your opinions regarding it be ubu, legit, etc.. I did forget to get the spine number on the nakago, but will add it later. Note: Signature reads Koa Isshin Mantetsu Saku Kore

Why it exists is all speculation without some tangible evidence. The evidence or proof of wakizashi production is what I am seeking, but am beginning to suspect speculation is all I will find. The only thing definitive is that it is a Mantetsu Wakizashi and that it is unusual. Aside from that, who knows. It could be any of the speculated scenarios provided.

Brandon, do you have or remember the details of the one you know of? Do you know the owner, and/or could you ask for details? I wonder if it is this very one, as there was some old discussion regarding it floating around cyber space. This one was polished and is in shirasaya and again has a 21" nagasa. Not cut down, but ubu. Bruno, I will post photos asap to prevent any drooling to death. I have so much going on at the moment, that I literally have not had time to set it up and shoot any photos. Will try my best to find time this weekend.

Dave, Yes, I had read that also. I have seen various wakizashi mounted in Gunto koshirae (the 2010 post in the NMB archives show several). I saw a naginata naoshi in SF maybe 10-12 years ago that was mounted in a Gunto Koshirae which had also been cut down to fit the blade perfectly. It was outstanding. So we know wakizashi in Gunto mounts while not seen on a daily basis, do exist. The point or focus of my question however is much more specific in looking only for "Mantetsu" wakizashi. I have scoured every book, the internet, contacted various collectors, etc., etc., to no avail. Steve's quote that you pasted sums up a reasonable criteria perfectly and reveals that there is no rule regarding length of blades in general, being made to fit. So, it seems reasonable that there would be others, and in fact I can not make myself believe there are not others. Yet, I can find no reference of any other, much less another extant Mantetsu wakizashi. If you or anyone finds one or info, please post it.

It does exist, I have it in hand. 21" nagasa. Ubu, signed Koa Ishhin Mantetsu Saku Tsukuru. Dated Showa Kanoe Tetsu Aki (1940) Haven't had time to photograph it yet. I will post some photos as soon as I can. EDIT: typo noted. Signed Tsukuru not Kore.

Hi guys, Has anyone ever seen or have any links or info regarding the specific production of Mantetsu wakizashi? Looking for some info and found an old post here from 2010 about a wakizashi, and likely the one I now have. I have looked through the Omura site, but could find nothing, same with google.