matthewbrice

Hello fellow collectors and dealers. St. Croix Blades purchased around 50 of the John Plimpton Collection swords 9-10 months ago. Around half of these swords have been stowed away since I purchased them. I'll be listing swords from this collection periodically over the next months. As you may have read, each sword is the actual sword photographed for the book which comes out hopefully this Fall. So if you missed out on the swords from this fine collection, or if you want to pick up another, let me know. The first sword will is to be listed in about 15 minutes in the For Sale section of the nmb. Thanks. --Matthew Brice www.StCroixBlades.com

Here is a convenient link to the site: https://stcroixblades.com/shop/Japanese-swords/ Enjoy. --Matthew Brice www.StCroixBlades.com

That's $300 of THE General's tassel pictured in Jim Dawson's Military Swords book. $440 off the Masanaga gendai sword recently discussed in the 'Translation Help' section on the nmb. Masanaga was also a Minatogawa Shrine swordsmith. $22.50 off a Company Grade tassel. $5.90 off a sword care kit. And $640 off! a Yasukuni Shrine sword by Yasuyoshi. Come take a look and the new prices. Sale ends Sunday night. https://stcroixblades.com/shop/Japanese-swords/ --Matthew Brice www.StCroixBlades.com

14 New swords, tassels, etc. just listed. …plus, it’s another ‘Make An Offer Weekend’ on the site! Contact us to make an offer. https://stcroixblades.com/shop/Japanese-swords/ —Matthew Brice www.StCroixBlades.com

Hi Thomas. All I had available to me as a non-Japanese language speaker was google translate. The translation I received there was: Nanao Sword Training Dojo. So reconciling with the Seven Lives Forge alternative explanation--the inscription either refers to Seven Lives Forge...or, to the Nanao Sword Training Dojo? If the inscription does refer to the sword dojo--was the sword likely made as a Special Order for the sword training dojo? --Matt

Thank you Trystan. ☝️ —Matt

If anyone would like to see the other pictures of this sword, here is the link: https://stcroixblades.com/shop/products/masanagajapanese-ww2-samurai-army-sword-1944-mounts-type-3-gendai-ties-to-m/ —Matt

You have all been so helpful. Thank you! Ok, so to summarize, Tosho smiths who worked at the Minatogawa Shrine when making Naval swords worked at a nearby forge to fulfill special orders. This nearby forge was called 'Seven Lives' Forge? Or was the forge called 'Seven Lives Dedicated to Country' forge? I certainly may not have this correct--so seeking a clarification if you guys can weigh in. Thanks again gentlemen! --Matt

Hi Bruce. Yes, it is dated. I have attached a photo. --Matt www.StCroixBlades.com

Hi Thomas. Thank you for the translation help! Using Google translate, it appears that 七生刀鍛錬道場 translates to Nanao Sword Training Dojo. Is that what you read, Thomas? As to your question, yes, I just looked at the mune. The arabic number '17' is stamped there. I have attached a photo. Thank you for your help, Thomas! --Matt Brice

Hello. I could use some help with the extra kanji on this sword if someone has time to take a look. Thank you! --Matt

SOLD! (That was quick). Thank you. —Matthew Brice www.StCroixBlades.com

I have just listed a hard to find Late War Mounts Mantetsu. Here is the link: https://stcroixblades.com/shop/products/rarest-late-war-mounts-mantetsu-Japanese-army-officer-shin-gunto-sword-th/ $4500 (if paying via regular Paypal or credit card, add 4% PP/cc fee). Kind regards, --Matthew Brice www.StCroixBlades.com

Hi Bruce. I have listed a rare Late War mounts Mantetsu. Posting the link here so you can use it for reference. https://stcroixblades.com/shop/products/rarest-late-war-mounts-mantetsu-Japanese-army-officer-shin-gunto-sword-th/ --Matt www.StCroixBlades.com

This sword is available again. The sword sold while I was on vacation for 2 weeks. The buyer knew I was gone for 2 weeks--no problem it seemed. My return flight was cancelled--I got home 24 hours later than planned. And as a result I was...dog tired. Short on sleep--so Wednesday I was beat, and wasn't able to get enough shipping done. 28 items sold while I was gone (28 items is 2 days of shipping anyway). I kept him informed of the delay in shipping along the way. The buyer of this sword was the only person with no patience among all the buyers, and with no understanding that we are all still human. He cancelled his purchase on me. Even after I tried to preserve the sale by offering him a free Company Grade tassel for the sword. And in case the 'buyer' is prowling this site, I made a mistake because I was gone on vacation--highly distracted of course with family time. I missed that he had actually paid the extra for FedEx shipping (I offer free USPS Priority shipping). Because I hadn't noticed he paid the FedEx shipping after all, that was the 'last straw' apparently for an impatient person. What a guy. And 'guy', no need to launch a slanderous attack at me here, I have not named you here so your reputation among others is untarnished. On the upside, and back to positive thoughts , this sword is available again. It's a beauty! Here is the listing...picture it in your mind with a high condition Company Grade Officer's tassel now, on me! https://stcroixblades.com/shop/products/Japanese-ww2-shin-gunto-army-sword-gendaito-rare-blade-shape-w-silvered-mou/ Kind regards, --Matthew Brice www.StCroixBlades.com

Here is the table as provided by jp-sword.com: Yasukuni Tosho Toko Taikan (1982) Token Yoran (2001) Nihonto no Kenkyu to Kansho (1980) Shinshinto Taikan Ranking (1979) Overall Ranking* Yasuhiro Yasutoku Yasumitsu Yasutake Yasuoki Yasunori Yasutoshi Yasushige Yasunobu Yasuyoshi Yasuaki Yasumune Yasukuni \1,800,000 \1,500,000 \2,000,000 \2,000,000 \1,500,000 \1,000,000 \1,000,000 \1,000,000 \1,000,000 \1,000,000 \1,000,000 \1,000,000 N/L \5,000,000 \4,000,000 \3,600,000 \5,000,000 \4,000,000 \4,000,000 N/L N/L N/L N/L N/L N/L N/L N/L \1,000,000 \1,000,000 \2,000,000 \1,800,000 N/L N/L N/L N/L \2,000,000 \1,300,000 \1,000,000 N/L 11/20 10/20 19/20 N/L N/L N/L 7/20 N/L N/L N/L N/L N/L N/L I I I I II II II III III III III IV IV Yasunori was one of the two original smiths at the Yasukuni Shrine along with Yasuhiro. --Matthew Brice www.StCroixBlades.com

This sword is available again. The gentleman who bought this sword passed unexpectedly. I bought this sword back from his wife along with his collection of 27 swords. $8750 (plus Paypal or credit card fee of 4.4%. This fee can be avoided when paying with a check, USPS Postal Money Orders, cashier's check, or bank wire). --Matthew Brice www.StCroixBlades.com

Yep. When the sword was delivered to me, the Samurai mounts in the original photos turned out to not fit the sword--at all. A tsuka from some other sword was slid onto the nakago--the hole in the tsuka wasn't in the right spot, and wasn't even close. The saya wasn't right either. I contacted the seller to ask what was up with the mounts, and he told me he had wanted to keep the original gunto mounts, because they were so unusual. I told him, of course, that I needed the original gunto mounts so negotiated an additional price for them. Glad to have the original koshirae and sword back together. What a beauty. --Matt

Hi Bruce. Here is the link: https://stcroixblades.com/shop/products/koa-isshin-mantetsu-ww-ii-Japanese-army-officer-sword-katana-antique-ww2/ —Matt

Koa Isshin Mantetsu—SOLD Gendai by Masayasu—SOLD Gendai by Masashige—SOLD Army NCO sword—one SOLD …others newly listed —Matt www.StCroixBlades.com

Oh yes, Paz. I see. Hopefully I can avoid those complications. --Matt www.StCroixBlades.com

Thank you, Brian!! --Matt www.StCroixBlades.com

Hello UK members! I occasionally send a sword to the UK. I can't seem to remember the Customs Form language that my UK customers require I note on the form. It is some sort of regulation/Customs law for antique swords. Could you guys help me out with the wording? Thank you in advance! --Matthew Brice www.StCroixBlades.com

https://stcroixblades.com/shop/Japanese-swords/ Koa Isshin Mantetsu Gendai by Masayasu Gendai by Masashige Army NCO swords etc.