paul griff

Hello Bruno, I own among others , a Mantetsu and a shinbu- to...It sometimes makes collecting interesting when you have examples of these swords and compare them with arsenal made blades and traditional blades...I enjoy comparing the different characteristics...... Regards, Paul..

Hello Bruce, Yes , bought it as it is complete with knot and cord.....Couldn’t resist buying it...my photo’s don’t do it justice.... ! Blade has a nagasa of 21 inches with a lovely notare midare hamon... Regards, Paul..

Hello Grey, Thank you for that.....learning all the time..... Best Regards, Paul..

Hello Stephen, Thank you for that, very much appreciated......I used really old candles following the advice from a late collector /friend .... Regards, Paul..

Hello, I would welcome any advice as to the correct translation of the mei on a kai - gunto recently purchased......My attempt has come up with : Chikushu Yanagawa Ju Yoshikuni ? ....Being absolutely useless at reading mei any advice on whether this is correct would be greatly appreciated.... Kind Regards, Paul....

Hello Inna, I would say a genuine sword made in occupied islands near the end of the war for collaboration troops....Not a quality sword but a genuine piece of Militaria....And as said I would ignore that dealers description... Regards, Paul..

Hello Alex, As Bruce points out a fake but a pretty well made one...If it’s cheap always handy to have around to remind you of what to look for when a genuine one turns up......A study piece so to speak..books are invaluable but no substitute for hands on.... Regards, Paul..

Hello, Very nice find...well done.. Regards, Paul.

Hello Bruce, I would say fake....For a late war sword it has a lot of “detail “ and it is all poor quality apart from a very distinct stamp on the blade....That fake black “ patina “ on the tsuba looks ever so dodgy and the locking catch looks like it was made to deceive, leather just doesn’t look aged....actually from top to bottom I would say 100% fake.......Only my opinion of course but all of the late war emergency issue swords I have come across are quite plain,simple but still kind of well made... Best Regards, Paul..

HelloPaul, And in responce to question 1.. Human instinct ! If it feels right and your “ gut instinct “ tells you it is right..it normally is ! I still cannot explain it but those old swords have a kind of “ magic “ about them....Maybe the lost “art “ ? Those swords were made for use when your life depended upon it and you only found out when you had to use it ! I often wondered how an Elizabethan rapier managed not to break until I owned one...thin,light and maintains a razor sharp edge even after being in a chimney for a couple of hundred years ....!! Hold a genuine Ufberht Viking sword and again be amazed by its “ feel “ and quality..... with nihonto I don’t really care who signed it or what district it was made but I know when I pick it up if it feels right....Only my opinion and in the world of Japanese sword collecting I am probably a “ bottom feeder “ collecting mainly shin -Gunto for pleasure as opposed to investment.... Best Regards, Paul..

Hello George, That looks like a sword that a dealer in Hampshire had a while back....If my memory serves me right a piece of the leather covering the mekugi had been cut away to allow the hilt to be removed ? The swept back hilt ( tsuka ) in early tachi style and the habaki is a good indication of a nice blade lurking beneath a sword that was prepared to be taken into a combat arena. Regards, Paul..

Hello Dick, Very nice photo’s and again thank’s for posting.. Regards, Paul..

Hello David, Agree with dwmc...Great bit of family history best preserved not restored... Regards, Paul..

Hello, Agree,it’s a fake 100%..The design on the kabutogane is all wrong as is the hole for the sarute...leather looks too thick and new....same has no trapped dirt and looks too clean... Regards, Paul..

Hello, Excellent piece of history and a great find..Thank’s for posting. Regards, Paul.

Hello Akitombo, Agree with above..Don’t use “ weapon” or “sword” in the description...Not to be deceitful but to avoid complications or theft....Have always used the Japanese word for sword or blade and emphasised “traditionally made and over 100 years old ( if it is )”...This accompanied by the correct customs code has always worked for me... Regards, Paul..

Hello, Excellent..thanks for posting...glued to it all morning and done none of my chores...Regards Paul

Hello Dave, Yes,not the neatest of signatures although I like the shape on the nakago.There is one on Gunstar for sale by the same smith...a better value sword in far better condition when compared to the one in this topic.. Regards, Paul..

Hello Michalku, I hate to see people getting “ tucked up “ or should I say ripped off... so be careful on that site..or better,don’t use it until you are a bit more experienced....You get some fantastic buys on the for sale section here and even reputable Militaria dealers will match that price...Only my opinion of course and collecting is a big learning curve.. Regards, Paul..

Hello Chris, Well done,nice research and excellent photo’s as usual. Regards, Paul..

Hello, Very interesting...A lot of effort to make a decorative sarute but the casting is very rough and ill-defined...not your normal attention to detail for Japanese workmanship....Only my opinion of course... Regards, Paul

Hello, Not a total loss..Looks like island made for souvenir hungry troops at the end of the war....The Ito has been added recently but the rest of the bits seem to have some age to them...If you look at the metal fittings they all have the look and patina of “island brass”,same looks old as does the leather and finally the blade is terrible but shaped correctly ie kissaki ( tip of blade )..... Regards, Paul..

Hello, Many thanks to Kyle..Superb items and a pleasure to do business with.. Best Regards and Merry Christmas, Paul..

Hello Ron, Agree with Chris,it’s a real one.I would hazard a guess someone in the past removed the screw,or broke it trying to remove it to look at the tang( nakago ) ...Wouldn’t bother me at all about that aspect..Nice to have the added bonus of the engraving...good bit of history...Altogether a good find.. Regards, Paul..

Hello, Nice photography there Chris... Regards, Paul...