matthewbrice

It would be difficult to believe that a showato sword, a tired old family blade with flaws or one with missing temper, or a gendai by a low-ranking smith would have been carried by a General.

I suppose that's true, but everything tracks--Samurai mon on the fuchi, early mounts from approx. 1936 since it's a Type 94, a family blade. Things like that.

How many WW2 swords have provenance anymore after 80 years since the war--0.5%? 0.25%? They would have to have a surrender tag attached to them still--or would have to have a photo from during the war or during the occupation. Or a letter perhaps. I was at the Orlando Japanese Sword Show this past weekend. I saw one surrender tag attached to a sword. And I bought the only other sword with provenance in the show that I saw. --Matthew Brice St. Croix Blades

Some more photos showing the reverse side of the sword, and some more hamon photos.

An exceptionally difficult to find Army General's shin-gunto sword w/General's Tassel being auctioned off this weekend. Here is the link to St. Croix Blades' auction of this Army General's sword: https://www.ebay.com/itm/116636445564 Many more photos are in the listing. The mounts are early Type 94 mounts. Notice the elongated kabutogane with pins used to affix it to the tsuka. This sword also has an oversized pierced tsuba, early reddish brown saya lacquer, and a silver Samurai mon located on the fuchi. All military fittings are of the highest quality. This sword was never messed with by a collector or dealer. It is just as it was brought back from the War. The 16th/17th Century signed old family blade measures 24 3/4" (62.9 cm) from blade tip to notch in the blade spine. The nakago is signed 'Inshu ju Kanesaki'. If you use Hawley's book as a reference, there are several 15 pt smiths who signed 'Inshu ju Kanesaki', and there is one that worked around 1596 A.D. that was a 40 pt swordsmith. The hamon on this sword is best described as Hiroi haku gunome midare togare, or wide box bead shape irregular pointed. A beautiful hamon. The 40 pt smith used a gunome hamon similar to this sword. Also, the blade has no openings or other flaws. This sword was possibly (or likely) made by the 40 pt swordsmith Inshu ju Kanesaki. Condition: This sword is in beautiful condition. The General's tassel is in excellent condition with honest signs of carry. The blade is in old Japanese polish. There are no mentionable-size nicks. The blade has scattered spots of very light pitting. Since there aren't any mentionable-size nicks, the scattered pits are shallow, there are no openings or other flaws, and the hamon and boshi are perfectly healthy, this sword would polish beautifully. St. Croix Blades can refer the buyer to a polisher if desired. --Matthew Brice St. Croix Blades

An exceptionally difficult to find Army General's shin-gunto sword w/General's Tassel being auctioned off this weekend. Here is the link to St. Croix Blades' auction of this Army General's sword: https://www.ebay.com/itm/116636445564 Many more photos are in the listing. The mounts are early Type 94 mounts. Notice the elongated kabutogane with pins used to affix it to the tsuka. This sword also has an oversized pierced tsuba, early reddish brown saya lacquer, and a silver Samurai mon located on the fuchi. All military fittings are of the highest quality. This sword was never messed with by a collector or dealer. It is just as it was brought back from the War. The 16th/17th Century signed old family blade measures 24 3/4" (62.9 cm) from blade tip to notch in the blade spine. The nakago is signed 'Inshu ju Kanesaki'. If you use Hawley's book as a reference, there are several 15 pt smiths who signed 'Inshu ju Kanesaki', and there is one that worked around 1596 A.D. that was a 40 pt swordsmith. The hamon on this sword is best described as Hiroi haku gunome midare togare, or wide box bead shape irregular pointed. A beautiful hamon. The 40 pt smith used a gunome hamon similar to this sword. Also, the blade has no openings or other flaws. This sword was possibly (or likely) made by the 40 pt swordsmith Inshu ju Kanesaki. Condition: This sword is in beautiful condition. The General's tassel is in excellent condition with honest signs of carry. The blade is in old Japanese polish. There are no mentionable-size nicks. The blade has scattered spots of very light pitting. Since there aren't any mentionable-size nicks, the scattered pits are shallow, there are no openings or other flaws, and the hamon and boshi are perfectly healthy, this sword would polish beautifully. St. Croix Blades can refer the buyer to a polisher if desired. --Matthew Brice St. Croix Blades

St. Croix Blades' Japanese Swords featured in Online 1-Day Auction TODAY at Sofe Design Auctions Bidding is easy… Step 1: Copy and paste the address into your web browser (or click on the St. Croix Blades logos at the top and bottom of this email). Step 2: Make sure to REGISTER for the auction. Step 3: Plan your max bids. Sofe Design Auctions uses a number of online Auction platforms—so the bids you see on Sofe Design’s platform are likely only half or one-third of the max bids placed on other platforms. Step 3: Place your bids. You can place your bids early before the auction starts so you don’t have to worry about participating in the live auction if you have plans for Saturday. Or plan to BID LIVE in the auction. Here is the address link to participate in this auction: https://sofedesignauctions.com/auction/261-spring-antique-art/ Some of the lots not to miss in this auction: Lot 7554—One of most MASSIVE Japanese Samurai Swords you will EVER see! Lot 7530—One of the EARLIEST post-Samurai period Japanese Army Swords, PUBLISHED in the Plimpton book Swords of the Emperor Lot 7507—A World War 2 Japanese Army Shingunto with Engraved PRESENTATION to a U.S. COLONEL LOT 7506—An Army General’s Dress Sword w/Engraved PRESENTATION from his men Lot 7550—a RARE Japanese Samurai sword w/Court-type Tachi mounts Lot 7508 —An EXCEPTIONALLY RARE Japanese World War 2 ARMY AIR FORCE Dirk w/STAR handle mekugi (as seen in Ken Banks’ book Japanese Pattern Dirks) …and so many more!

SOLD

Ok. I'll have to take another look at the date. Thank you, Volker. --Matt

SOLD

Yasukuni Shrine Army General's Sword by (Kotani) Yasunori. Dated July 1937. With original General's tassel. $8900 plus shipping. (if paying by Paypal or credit card, add their fee). More photos available if you have serious interest. --Matthew Brice St. Croix Blades http://www.StCroixBlades.com

Yasukuni Shrine Army General's Sword by (Kotani) Yasunori. Dated July 1937. With original General's tassel. $8900 plus shipping. (if paying by Paypal or credit card, add their fee). More photos available if you have serious interest. --Matthew Brice St. Croix Blades http://www.StCroixBlades.com

https://www.ebay.com...icSeller=1&_saslop=1 If you don't have an eBay account, just contact me direct to purchase. Thank you. --Matthew Brice www.StCroixBlades.com 715-557-1688 info@stcroixblades.com

Here's the link: https://stcroixblade...hop/Japanese-swords/ Thank you to my repeat (and new) customers! --Matthew Brice St. Croix Blades

1 desirable signed Samurai Jumonji Yari (polearm/spear) available. This fine Jumonji Yari would make an important addition to any collection. This yari has a well-cut signature. It is signed 武州下原住内記康重 Bushu Shitaharaju Naiki Yasushige. Fujishiro ranks Yasushige as a jo saku smith. Yasushige worked from 1624 to 1661 A.D. This yari measures 8" by 5 11/16" (20.3 cm X 14.4 cm). This yari measures 18 3/16" overall (46.2 cm) including the nakago. This jumonji yari has a straight temper line. Condition: The blade is in original Japanese polish. The blade has carbon staining and oxidation. The hamon and boshi are perfectly healthy. Note that the nakago at the lower mekugi-ana bends easily. So the nakago needs to be handled carefully. What a beautiful blade. There is not even one ware/opening in the blade. This jumonji yari would polish beautifully. $1775 plus postage (if choosing to pay via Paypal or credit card, add their fee) --Matthew Brice St. Croix Blades

ALL Japanese Swords on StCroixBlades.com site ON SALE starting now! https://stcroixblade...hop/Japanese-swords/ Additional Japanese Swords ON SALE in St. Croix Blades' eBay Store! (you don't need to be an eBay member to purchase--just Contact St. Croix Blades on our site, or by emailing info@stcroixblades.com, or calling/texting 715-557-1688). https://www.ebay.com...ificSeller=1&_sop=16 If you have any questions, let me know. Sincerely, Matthew Brice St. Croix Blades

Unique Tachi-style sword For Sale. Shinsa of both koshirae and blade is recommended. $2900 direct (can pull the eBay listing to get the price here). plus postage, and PP/credit card fee if choosing to pay that way. https://www.ebay.com...65115589725&_sacat=0 --Matthew Brice St. Croix Blades

New sword listings added to St. Croix Blades eBay Store. PLUS, 3 more swords going live Wednesday evening (12 hours from the time of this posting). https://www.ebay.com...icSeller=1&_saslop=1 You don't have to have an eBay account to buy--when you see a Japanese sword you like, just let me know here and I will pull the listing so you can purchase it direct. Thank you. --Matthew Brice www.StCroixBlades.com

Ha Jesse! I have one of those too (a wife). --Matt

https://www.ebay.com...&LH_SpecificSeller=1 You don't have to have an eBay account--or to even like eBay to purchase, just contact us via the nmb, call or text 715-557-1688, or email info@stcroixblades.com to purchase direct. Free shipping on purchases within the U.S., and reduced shipping on purchases from overseas. --Matthew Brice http://www.StCroixBlades.com

1 published antique Russo-Japanese thru World War II Japanese Samurai General Grade sword available. A General Grade kyu-gunto katana would make a rare, and important addition to any collection. This actual sword (not one like it, this sword is the actual sword) was photographed for, and is the actual sword in the John Plimpton book 'Swords of the Emperor--A Guide to Identification of Imperial Japanese Swords 1873-1945' appearing on pages 338 & 339. This is a Commissioner Grade model 1908 Police kyu-gunto sword. This is not a dress sword--dress swords have thin, non-weapon ceremonial blades, and also have a thinner, smaller handle. Plimpton noted in his book that Police Commissioners were considered equivalent in rank to Army Generals. All fittings are of the finest quality . The blade measures 26 3/4" (67.9 cm) from blade tip to notch in the blade spine. The blade has a bohi groove along its entire length. This type of blade is referred to commonly as an arsenal blade--or sometimes a murata-to type blade. The tang is unsigned. Condition: This WW2 Japanese sword is in exceptional condition. The blade edge has no chips. There is only the expected occasional minor staining on the blade. The wire on the handle is perfect. All mounts are in exceptional condition! Here's the link (you don't have to have an eBay account--just call, text, or email). https://www.ebay.com/itm/115944158158 Was $5,800, now 20% off through Thursday, Aug. 1st for $4640 shipped (add Paypal or credit card fee if choosing to pay that way)

1 difficult to find Japanese model 1883 Naval Kyu-Gunto Samurai Officer's sword. This rare Imperial Japanese Navy Officer's katana would make an important addition to any collection. A sword in model 1883 Naval Kyu-Gunto sword mounts is rare. An example in exceptional condition is extremely difficult to find. The Naval mounts on this sword are mint. Of Kyu-Gunto mounted swords--just 1 in 40, or 1 in 50 is in Naval mounts--all others are Army. A sword like this does not come on the market very often. These Naval mounts are often also referred to as Russo-Japanese War mounts. A photo from a reference book of a Japanese Naval Officer posing with this type of sword is provided in this listing. This sword has a Silver Samurai family mon on its backstrap. This sword has an ancestral Samurai blade. The blade dates to the 1644 to 1648 A.D. The nakago/tang is signed 'Hoshu Takada-ju Fujiwara Munekage'. Munekage is ranked a 30 pt. smith in Hawley's--making him a chujo-saku swordsmith. The blade measures 25 13/16" (65.5 cm) from blade tip to notch in the blade spine. This sword has a beautiful hamon. This old blade has two holes in the nakago. The sharkskin-covered saya is very fine. All fittings are gilted in gold. The original Naval tassel/portopee is attached. The blade even has desirable kiri komi--(sword cuts or strikes from battle with another Samurai). This sword is papered. The papers accompany this sword. Condition: The mounts are in mint condition. The blade is in perfect polish. The hamon and boshi are perfectly healthy. $5699.95 shipped within the U.S. (if paying via Paypal or credit card, the PP/credit card fee will be added to the price)

Thanks Dan!

Original WW2 Army Katana GENERAL's TASSEL For Sale. $2400 or best offer. Here is the link to additional photos: https://stcroixblade...t-ww2-samurai-ija-2/ --Matthew Brice St. Croix Blades