Death-Ace

Well, between working Public Health in Japan and being stuck, I found myself enjoying the hobby of Yahoo Auctions and picked up this little guy. Between this and looking at project cars think I'm in trouble lol. The mei appears to read Kunitomo, possibly of Yamashiro? I will get more measurements soon, but seems to a nice little one! A well made, blade with some loose grain. Notare hamon that is almost a mirror of itself on ura/omote, and the itame hada is a bit pleasing. Nagasa is approx 21 in, with a midare-komi boshi? The bohi has been nicely carved and is a treat. The only complaint I have is that it seems someone used this to fool around with, leading to some hakobori near the middle of the ha. Unfortunately placement too. Surely would be removed without issue in a polish, but hamon depth would suffer a little bit. Tried to get a good photo, not as bad as I thought, but still! After removing some of the grime with isopropanol, and oiling it and with some on the nakgo to try and slow the red rust that was prominent in areas, appears to be a well made blade! Hope you guys enjoy! Apologies bout the pics! I shoulda used better lighting and backdrop, but was tired last night, haha!

Agreed. Some IJA/IJN Flag Officers carried "Showa-to" with very nice hamon, fittings, shape, etc. I remember seeing one in an auction in Va. in modified "civilian" koshirae with Edo period tosogu. A very fine suguba that moved toward a choji-style hamon towards the end of the blade. Sometimes we have to remember that just because a wartime blade isn't fully traditionally made, that doesn't mean they couldn't be custom ordered. As for the fittings, there are quite a few good pieces! I missed out on a gendaito in Type 98 koshirar a year back. The field grade tassel was nice, the blade truly eluded Soshu characteristics. Didn't have a big gendaito smith name, but was very nice and cheap. But ehat had me researching was the tosugu were mostly silver-plated. Thought it was a joke or a very dull old nickel finish. Boy was I wrong. Thought long and hard before it sold! People will know a good smith and sword, even if not famous. Unfortunately it seems those circles have now eluded us in time as such smiths and their main histories are forgotten!

Thought it was pretty neat as well! Guess either second thoughts or made a deal, as it ended early. Can't say I blame it either way! Its a very nice looking blade and in nice gunto mounts to boot!

Thanks guys! And Bob, maybe for that rusted out Shigetsugu! loljk. Also, sad story. I was attempting to take a pic of a possible bend (which turned out to be nothing) that I posted a few days ago, I lost my grip on the nakago and the end hit and sliced onto my my isopropalol bottle. Kinda glad it did. Found a microchip I didnt know was there! Thought at first somehow it had chipped my blade, but looks like there is a scuff above it that was on the seller's photos. Maybe someone was being a bit rough with it before they got it! But overall, still a very nice sword, and helps me microview any blade now I will see in the future! In any case, definitely shows why to be extremely caredul, no matter how long you have handled weapons. Could endanger you, someone else, or the blade itself.

Thanks guys! Think my eyes are just terrible lol.

Hey Ken! I'll take more pictures later off work, but agreed. It was hard tonfind a good photo. I meant to take photo with the tsuka off to have a good flat area to start the photography. Thanks guys! Thankfully, although the blade is tired, I see no signs of shinae, but is not always a thing and we know minornones have a possibility of being removed during polish.

Very nice! Looks Muromachi, middle part to me! Always been wanting to find a koto blade in Kai mounts. Also, is that an equally nice NSKK dagger I see next to it?

I was oiling my sword the other day and for reason, it felt as if it was bending with no pressure. Maybe I'm just imagining things or my hands got too fat and molds onto anything? Haha, what do you all see?

Jean, thank you! I agree wholeheartedly. It really was more a patriotic gesture, and as you stated, had to be forged/mixed with the right steel. I have seen those for sale as well, thinking the Tirpitz knives are neat and would like to buy one, but have my reservations. I belice it was either that or the Blucher wreck they had found a store of rotted Iron Crosses awhile back and attempted to sell. But both ships suffered tremendous casualties when sunk, so part of me wonders if it is right, but another, a good way to honor those sailors who died during the war. A smith a while back forged a blade from shrapnel found in the Ardennes, doing an excellent job. Bruce! Thank you, I always found that one interesting! There is also a Mikasa-to katana here that is in need of polish, although there may be some pitting in the kissaki that won't fully be removed. Still, these are interesting pieces, and should be worthy of both a militaria and nihonto collection.

I always like these things! Horii Toshihide indeed made quite a few blades from the steel of one of the Mikasas's gun barrel, as well as a few other smiths. I can't remember the numbers, but both katana and tanto were made, but one or the other had a production of about 1200? During the Battle of Tsushima, during the Russo-Japanese War, one of the turrets had a few misfires, damaging one of the barrels of the 12 in. gun. After the war, either after the barrel was removed before or after preservation, it was suggested to make blades out of this in a patriotic gesture. There were a few presentation pieces, but many were sold out their stores. For the life of me, I can't remember the name of their stores, but they functioned as our PXs do, selling private purchase gear, i.e., binoculars, watches, pistols, swords, etc. I have seen a few of the tanto and katana in their naval mounts, but there are some that appear to be in period shirasaya as well, surely a choice that could be made from the store or unless these are how they were sold. Quality can range from mediocre to phenomenal. The steel was mixed with Tamahagane, I believe, and it is said that the steel from the damaged and deteriorated barrel could have caused quality control issues. Though most of those I have seen from Horii Toshihide are nice. Definitely not on par all the time with, say, Minatogawa Shrine swords, but definitely a piece Id consider if I was wanting a gendaito/Kai collection! Prices have been on the up and up too, these are getting hard to find, if not harder to find than those mentioned shrine swords.

Anyone see this before it sold? I was sleeping on it and a few hours later it was too late! May be a regret of mine, haha. https://www.ebay.com/itm/Japanese-WW1-Naval-Dagger-Dirk-Early-Tanto-Blade-15-5-total-9-3-4-blade/193356052584?hash=item2d04eb3868:g:hVEAAOSwf9teUqet

I can't really tell on my phone, but it looks like either a mark from the tsuka sitring or the nakago was brazed on? I wouldn't think someone would do it on a kazuuchomono, but I've seen stranger things! The blade definitely reminiscent of such, as others have mentioned. The fittings look as if they were cleaned and polished, at least the fuchi and kashira do. Definitely either the original tsuka with a post-war repair via two pieces of wood and a screw, or a whole new handle all together. Not sure about the saya under that wrap. Some soldiers did do so as a field repair or covering, or could been done by the vet! All in all, neat little bring back! The tsuba is definitely interesting!

Neat little Sue-Bizen as the others have stated; however, as a kazuuchimono, just not too valuable. Might have been worth it as the mounts are excellent and the blade, a reminder of the times prior to the Edo Period. Just as stated, a lot of kizu for a "common" sword, and not sure if it is actually tired. Price is just too expensive to me. I'd say take it for what it is, if someone loves gunto koshirae, this is a way to go and if they love nihonto as well, a win the seller dropped it by hald.. But otherwise, better to save money. Plenty of gendaito or other nihonto in good gunto koshirae around at this price. It is always an interesting thing though to have a blade that was made during that bloody time of Japanese history to end service in its last.

While it is a nice looking sword, I thibk Masamune is a stretch. It may be koto, but I agree with Kirill that the features of the blade give it a Shinto appearance. Still nice though! I'm not sure how many swords Adm. Togo owned, with one being an Ichimonji Yoshifusa. However, judging from the koshirae, probably wasn't his anyways as this is an Army Kyu-Gunto!

That's a shame. If gendai, must have been cut when those works weren't appreciated or folks were afraid of most Imperial era blades being labeled as "non-traditonal" or illegal. Although I have seen some recently that were just cut because someone though they were just trashy "showa-to." Mounts are beautiful though! Funny story, I just went to Yasukuni a few Sundays to visit and see the market. There were a few dealers with tosugu and some koshirae, but most were overpriced or rusted and abused. But what striked me was a table with about a dozen wakizashi and tanto. Or well...remnant thereof. All were of the nakago and about the first two inches per law, freahly cut, but they were nihonto. A few were as old as late-Muromachi from what I could gather. I was wondering maybe if they were fatally flawed or not registered, but didn't make sense as that isn't too much a hassle now to have done. Then looking at them, it struck me. Signs of fire, lack of hamon on a few and scale blackened nakago. What a way to go after having survived this long. I thought about buying one as it was dirt cheap and a nice cross section study, but I couldnt put my heart in it.

Sorry to say, but this one is a Chinese fake!

Very nice! Both buyer and seller are really happy, I reckon! I need to win a small lottery, haha. But I agree, for the sake of yourself, vollectors here and elsewhere, I hope that this guy gets banned from shows the community. Free country, but I think people that scams others from their hard-earned dough should be prosecuted, no matter what it is.

Adam, For the price, really nice finds and good deals! Although not "national treasures," for any military collector or budding nihonto enthusiast, this is a good start! As for your last post. To me it looks maybe late koto, early Shinto? The hamon to me points to Mino.

Agreed. Not going to lie, while I was looking up if there were any more Minatogawas up for sale at present, I saw the video title and thought, "Why did he do now?" While I don't technically condone calling someone out in public, in this case I do. As Brian said, he has done enough to collectors as well as destroying swords and other militaria that people need to be aware. I would not want my images being used by someone like that either. As can be seen, multiple people have already called him out on the video, as well as seeing his lie about the video being granted permission. I hope to see him at the Mesquite or Dallas area gun shows, people need to know...

Also Fred, I'm not sure if you have been made aware, or if he is just posting this as a study, but our forum's little "friend" from Mesquite is using pics of this blade on youtube. https://youtu.be/N__Yir_-tRc

I can see where some get the idea that people say its fake or iffy from the tone of the message. But in reality, it is just stating that it is not something that is seen due to the way it is engraved. But if it did come out of a gun show in the 70s and definitely can vouch for Fred as well, I agree. It is human nature to get a little upset at someone if there is a hint of disbelief, but I think this resolved itself! It is wise to approach and treat non-textbook examples with suspicion (guilty until proven innocent), one of the reasons study is fun in this hobby. Regardless, looks like a very nice blade, even with the pitting! If it stays at that price, congrats! If I hadn't bought the blade I did and had the funds, I would sit through the night waiting for this, lol.

Brian, Thank you for the info regarding importation laws! I figure it may have been more lenient in the past before it really got up to speed, possibly why that one S&W came through, and during the time pre-9/11 and heightened security. I am guessing their declining of exportation is more due to hassle than anything else. Even though it seems the black market has decreased a bit for firearms and ammo here, Chinese Tokarevs seem to be a choice pick for "no-gooders." I am thinking of visiting in the near future on my next trip to Tokyo. If they allow, I'll snap some photos for you as a current sampling of their showrooms! It would be a shame to export something that has been in this country for generations and cannot be brought back in, if that is the case. I'm sure the same would apply for Koa Isshin if they left the country. Fun fact, due to the SOFA agreement with the US and Japan, an American residing on onbase housing can bring their long arms in country via military mail, as they are not checked by customs. Of course, you cannot have ammunition shipped over, so it is more or less a courtesy and surely to avoid having to store them. Not sure exactly regarding offbase usage, but believe due to the agreement, can be registered with the JPN police and ammunition usage via the same laws that Japanese citizens abide by. Makes one wonder some swords come through the same way before registration, although I will not attempt it (as tempting as it is) as I live off base. Unfortunately, as much as I love this country, I do not believe I could live here forever as I am a competition shooter (mainly pistol now) and it would be my kryptonite! There are some really nice guns on this thread! I do hope others will share their pre-1900 Japanese made and foreign contract pieces! There can't be that many sources regarding the history of that manufacture, especially outside of Japan. Would be nice to compile all known data together!

Very neat guns, guys! I've always wanted to buy one of the foreign made Colts such as this. Definitely love your tastes in these firearms. As a side note from early in this thread, I have always wondered about the Japanese Firearms law? At first I only thought that hunting rifles and shotguns were the only ones allowed, with antique black powder and pinfire a given. But I see there is a store in Tokyo called Regimentals that deals with many firearms. Most are deactivated modern ones, but seems the "Juyo priced" ones are old "live" firearms from 100+ years ago. With the pre-T14 Nambus reaching and having reached that age, I wonder if any came out of hiding. But is the law only for 100+ years prior to it being enacted? And if there has been any change to importation? Seems if someone brought a few Colt 1851s, they'd make a killing...unless registration fees are astronomical or restrictions on resell. There was an RIA auction with an IJN marked S&W New Model 3 awhile back that was stated to have been part of a business transaction in the 70s from Japan. Of course, buy the item not the story, but it doesn't seem too far-fetched with the news articles of the Hino pistols and the Yakuza-owned T94 in the past two decades.

Hey Conrad! I visited Aoi a few weeks ago on my weekend off and they are very nice. It is a small shop. However, call them in advance to see three blades max at once. They're more than happy to help but as they're show room is about as big as a tiny apartment, they have most stored in a tiny apt. The do have some blades not on the site, so def ask. They had a nice ko-wak awhile ago with Tokubetsu Hozon papers for abput 1500 USD, but think that's sold. Let me know when you land, could show ya around!

Very, very nice piece Bruce! For a machine made, that blade looks well crafted!