dwmc

Thanks Bruce, I was kind of thinking that also.

I found this sword recently at an antique shop and took a few relatively poor photos, however, hopefully good enough to get a few opinions as to its origin. It appears to be a sword once covered in both saya and tsuka with leather, (tsuka leather removed.) There doesn't appear to be a mekugi- ana for tsuka removal. The habaki seems longer than normal. The Tsuba is rather plain with Mokko Gata shape. There are no seppa. The blade is severely out of polish with no visible hamon or hada and possibly a shobu zukuri sugata. The plate 66 (page 49) photo appears to be similar. (Fuller and Gregory 1868-1945) Is this a late war Japanese sword? An island made sword. Chinese fake??? Opinions much appreciated...Dave M.

Most likely Daisaku Daimei by Ido Hidetoshi. Dave M.

There's probably not another gunto with more miscellaneous names as the Type 3 shingunto. Four or five years ago, I believe it was Shamsy (Steve) suggested, based on the year 1940, it should actually be designated Type 0. Dave M.

Trystan's photo could very well be an example of a white saya. However, below is a photo of my father (on left) with one the swords he brought home. It shows, as Steve suggested, how deceptive the old black and white pictures can be, my father's sword was definitely not painted black, and his buddies not white. Dave M.

No problem Peter, all input appreciated, it's becoming apparent to me there are even a few slight variations in what could be considered traditional "Gunto green" as John and Gareth have shown. After looking closer at Victor's Mantetsu saya, which Bruce shared, it appears to be a greenish paint possibly applied post war. Again, all input is greatly appreciated, however, yours appears to be the closest to the "Bluish Green" saya color variation displayed in Ohmura's Gunto Site, however, I'm not sure we've quite got a match yet. I'm beginning to suspect that very specific Bluish Green saya color variation is extemely rare, if not produced in any number at all, an anomaly indeed. Perhaps one will eventually show up! Thank you all for the effort, Dave M.

Thanks Bruce, This is exactly the Saya color variation I was thinking of, perfect example ! The look of wwll era, age appropriate, excellent... You've established there are a least a few out there. Thanks again, Dave

Further research indicates green lacquer or paint over metal. Dave M. !

Hopefully, someone will own and provide a photo of Type 98 with the green color variation saya, and additonal information as to it's construction material. Yes, have seen many Sharkskin saya's, but agree, green would be an odd color. Thanks again, Dave M.

On high resolution, I see what your saying, it does appear possibly a shark skin. Do you ever recall a Type 98 gunto showing up on the board with this variation of saya ? I think this may be a rare Saya indeed ! Dave

Hi John, This is the color I'm referring to. Dave M. .

Ohmura's "Military Swords of Imperial Japan" has an example of a Bluish Green type 98 Gunto saya among several of the more common colors. My questions is, out of all the years I've followed the NMB, I can't recall seeing even one of the Green Saya's. Was this color saya more of an anomaly, or was it simply a color rarely chosen ??? Does anyone have one of these green colored saya's? I would think that if anyone had an example, it would be Neil (IJASWORDS) from Australia. Thanks in advance. Dave M.

Hi Ian, My father was there as a guard for General MacArthur during the surrender ceremony. I too have searched for years trying to locate footage of military activities during the surrender in the Yokohama area. I've found several short film clips on (Critical Past wwll archive ), yet don't recall seeing a sword surrender during that day of surrender ceremony. I have read however, that the Japanese officers during that time were still wearing their swords, and were promptly ordered to surrender them. Therefore, it's highly likely this is just how your sword was acquired. This is a photo of my father, (on left), with one of the swords he brought home. This wasn't a sword from the Yokohama surrender, but a sword from a weapons collection mission in northern Japan. Good luck with your research, Dave M.

Thanks Brandon, I had also considered a Rai smith, but was thinking Masa or Sada, however, I believe your Kuni character is more likely correct! Thanks again, Dave

I think I'm possibly seeing a Mune and a Mitsu kanji, however, there seems to be horizontal strokes in between???Dave M.

There are a couple of ishizuki available on the ebay site ( 4520genkidayo ) at the present time. However, as PNSSHOGUN (John) mentioned, Shin Gunto fittings are difficult to match in exact size as they are made for each individual saya. Best bet is to attend one of Japanese sword shows in the the US and fit ishizuki in hand for as close as possible fitting... Dave

Is it possible some of these nakago symbol's and fitting numbers are more ritual/spiritual than manufacturing codes. The number 6 is not considered a lucky number in Japan, however, 3x5=15 or 3+6+6=15 which results in 5 number 3's which are considered lucky? Are the three dots on the nakago possibly an aposiopesis, suggesting trailing off in to silence, or something that continues spiritually unspoken? The square another spiritual/ritual symbol, for instance the significance of pouring sake into a glass inside a masu, or one of many possibilities of a face/figure inside a square? Just a thought, Dave M.

Excellent Sword Gareth! Beyond a bit of age discoloration on the fittings, the sword looks as though it could have been made a month ago. Hopefully, Bruce Pennington or one of the other members can help identify the nakago stamp and habaki kanji... Very nice indeed, Dave M.

It's been a while since I've been to the SF sword show, although I can't imagine Mr. Hayashi not attending. I had the pleasure of speaking with Jimmy about a couple of swords I had brought to the show. Mr. Hayashi impressed me as a friendly soft spoken individual, who was very generous with his time and expertise in evaluating your swords. He is an individual I would trust with any level sword I owned.... Dave M.

Twenty years ago I walked in to a small Pawn shop in Roswell, NM and bought a RS signed by Kanetsugu dated 1945 with "Gi" stamp for $200. Well, since then, as Stephen has suggested shop owners have been watching to many TV shows. Just a guess, but I suspect the shop owner took in the NCO shown above for less than $150. In the past few years, I've bought several swords from pawn shops/military stores and have found (most) of them willing to negotiate in a fairly reasonable manner. I have to admit, even the sword which Bruce has located, I find some what intriguing. It appears solid with the only real problem as its loss of paint and the blade possibly only needing a bit of a cleaning in an appropriate manner. When I see a sword like this, I can't help but wonder, how did it get to this condition, did it lay in the rain and mud for days on Okinawa, did it remain in a damp garage for 75 years, did someone apply paint remover? There seems to be a little original greenish brown paint remaining near the hanger. Definitely curious to see if someone will be willing to have Bruce negotiate... Dave M.

Scott, excellent advice from Stephen with the Japanese sword index as a source of Japanese sword information. I may have overwhelmed you a bit with the terms in my earlier post, but with a little study within the sword index, your knowledge will be greatly increased, and sword terms will be quite clear. Dave M.

Nothing particularly unusual about an unsigned sword, many reasons and much speculation as to why. There are many on the board that will hopefully provide an estimate as to age of your sword. To my eye however, the sword appears to be at least Shinshinto era and possibly older. The kissaki is a bit longer than what could be considered Chu and possibly a bit short of O kissaki. It could be just the photo, but it looks as though it is Koshi-sori which could indicate older age. The Tsuka, Tsuba, Habaki, and Same' are very nice and upper grade. Please acquire some high quality sewing machine oil and apply a light coat to the blade to prevent further rusting. Saya ?? Dave M.

I recall now it was you Lareon, and thought it was interesting idea sharing an "unboxing" with members. Glad to hear you received a refund on the second one. Best regards, Dave M.

Thank you for the additional information Bruce. I had a Rinji Seishiki in my collection a few years ago which also had a gifu stamp. The blade was dated 1945. I sold it for a reason I fail to recall, and have suffered from a mild case of sellers remorse ever since. My collection just didn't seem right with out at least one Rinji Seishiki. A few weeks ago I noticed what appeared to be a very nice Rinji Seishiki in a display case in a military store online. I managed to contact the owner and inquired if the sword was available for sale, by the appearance of the koshirae it had the potential of being a higher grade sword. The owner informed me the items in display cases were not for sale. However, he did have three other Rinji Seishiki's that were available. The other three all had tags, two tags indicated the nakago's were not signed, one was. I asked the owner which sword he would prefer and he mention all three were fairly nice, but liked the signed one best. He mentioned he had never removed the tsuka and was only going by what he had been told, I know now why he hadn't checked the signature. When the sword arrived, it took me over an hour to carefully remove one of the mekugi. I was very happy upon removing the tsuka it did indeed have date, signature, and the bonus of a gifu stamp. You guys basically saw it at the same time I did. Appreciate the likes... Dave M.

I noticed a while back someone posted an "Unboxing" of a as yet unseen sword which had just arrived in the mail. I thought this was kind of a fun idea, so I decided do an (unboxing) as I had a sword which was going to arrive that I also had not seen. If I recall correctly, the individual previously had rather unfortunate results... It's definitely a roll of the dice purchasing a sword online, and until you have the sword in hand you really can't be sure of what you have. Well, it arrived today so lets take a look. I knew it was at least Rinji Seishiki. Ok...not a Star Stamped Rinji, but a decent Katsu Masa, 1944 with Gifu stamp. Wasn't overly expensive, I'm happy with It. Dave M.