Justin Grant

I just received my Mantetsu Spring 1940. Photos are from seller, Ray Singer.

Here is a bullet hole, in a narigawa kabuto

I think it's been moved and not reinstalled correctly.

I am still looking. Let me know what you have. Thanks

Not in my opinion. It would not be original, so leave it be, or find an original one online, if lucky enough.

No, the leather that remains seems to be holding it on. The leather wraps over it very tightly. Seems this style of cover was never intended to removed , so maybe the lack of screw was by design.

Here is a picture of mine. Small metal band without any decoration.

Here is my 98 with black lacquer saya and what remains of the leather saya cover.

Thank you. Much appreciated!!

Yes, it has a bo-hi.

Thank you, Bruce. My understanding is that the 98 was a private purchase by officers, so would the wood saya and leather cover have been a cheaper purchase over a metal saya? I read somewhere that the wood saya with a leather cover was a later war effort to reduce costs and materials needed for the war. I've been sucked into these Gunto lately, now owning two (this one and a Type 0). My main line of collecting is Armor, but something about these interest me greatly.

Here you go.

I have a Yoshida Yoshitsugu type 98, and it has the leather cover over a black wooden saya. The blade is signed, but not dated, so wondering if anyone can place this sword on the timeline based on the cosmetic attributes? Thanks Justin

Looking for a decent field grade officer tassel. Thanks! Justin

Very nice haul. I’m green with envy. I’ve been looking for a tassel for a while and you score several! Congrats!

Thanks. His mailbox is full here too. He must be a busy man.

I’am trying to get in touch with him and his Email address on his website is full and mail gets rejected. Looking to purchase a few 98’ tassel. thanks Justin

Evan the system won’t let me send you a message. But I’ll buy it. Send me the PayPal address

Thanks Steve, I knew it was tiger, my brain typed dragon. I do appreciate the help it is much appreciated!!

I have a map of Japan and the date is listed as listed below. I read this as Tenpo 13, Year of the Water Dragon, 12th Month, Printed. Based upon this inscription, can we get a specific date other than 1842? 天保十三壬寅十二月版行 Thank you Justin

I have a Gunto marked YOSHITSUGU (吉次), Shōwa (昭和, 1926-1989), Gifu – “Yoshitsugu” (吉次), real name Yoshida Jinrō (吉田任郎) question I have surrounds the leather over the black wood vs leather over metal. And why wood over leather? The sword does not have the metal latch to release it, but what appears to be a leather strap with a snap. all new to me, I normally collect armor.

I'm thinking Chinese.

Odoshi comes in various widths, if the holes are to small for your odoshi, then you get smaller. As for errors, the crosses are to tight, and the odoshi is pulled through the holes in the wrong manner, just from a casual observation. Keep learning.

It's not easy. There are plenty of instructions on the web, and some with pictures. The crosses are critical and the termination knot is not that difficult, just takes practice. Armor, like Swords, requires expert craftsman to take care of. Silk, be it Odoshi or Tsuka Ito, rots and falls off. Many of us would discourage anyone from attempting to repair the Ito on a valuable sword, it would be recommended it be sent to a professional. Same with quality armor, it's best in the hands of trained craft-persons. But when they are not high-end items, people are less critical of home repairs. I started collecting low end pieces initially, and as my knowledge and experience increased, I started to buy and collect higher end pieces. I was taught to lace armor by Thatcher and Bottomly and spent years practicing and taking criticism from Thatcher when my work was slack. He was not being mean, but pushing to ensure quality was the output. The late Anthony Bryant has/had a site that walked you through lacing armor and the different styles. I will point out, one should NEVER drill the holes larger on the plates, that usually means you have the wrong size odoshi. Never use anything that will chip or destroy the urushi, once that happens, moisture will creep in and start the red death (rust), and cause the urushi to lift. There is a "face" to odoshi and set ways in working with it. You'll get there, if you wish, but just study how lacing on good armor looks and how it rests, and this will inform your next job. Once you've studied a lot of quality lacing, you begin to spot work undertaken by less skilled craftsmen.