LakeBum

Well I guess this answers my question a little more. This is a review from amazon I found today. I like the fact that it goes indepth about individual swords and smiths of the time. I hope the swords are differrent from the Modern Japanese Swords and Swordsmiths. "This book, Modern Japanese Swords: The Beginning of the Gendaito Era, illustrates how in more recent years, swords made in the past century have been increasingly viewed with a more forgiving eye, gaining greater acceptance and appreciation as art objects. The authors, Leon and Hiroko Kapp, have already contributed to this movement with a similar book published in 2002, Modern Japanese Swords and Swordsmiths: From 1868 to the Present (co-authored with Yoshindo Yoshihara, a 4th generation Japanese swordsmith well known here in the West), but here the focus is more narrowly on Japanese swords made between 1868 and 1945 rather than those made after sword-making was revived as an artform starting in 1953. This paperback volume starts with a concise review of the relevant history of Japan during these years, beginning with the peacetime Haitorei Edict of 1876 that prohibited the wearing of swords in public and extending into the formation of the Yakakuni Forging Association and the Japanese Research and Forging Association, two organizations of swordmakers that were formed to revitalize the making of quality and functional swords in preparation for war on an international scale. The book then turns to a discussion of the different types of steel used during this period, ranging from the smelting of sand iron to make traditional steel (tamahagane) to the salvage of puddled steel from the likes of railroad tracks. Different steels and production methods can be recognized through close-up examination of the steel grain (jigane) and through the identification of stamped markings on the finished blades, with several macroscopic photographs of fine differences in jigane as well as a table of wartime stamps and a discussion of their meaning presented by the authors. With that history and perspective established, the next 100 pages of Modern Japanese Swords shifts to 51 specific examples of individual swords, with two full pages devoted to each. Each blade has a short description of the maker and the blade itself, measurement specs, and photos of the full-length blade, its fittings (typically military mountings, when available), and close ups of both sides of the tang (nakago). The featured blades are key examples from many of the more famous and well-reputed makers of the gendaito era, including three generations of the Gassan family (Sadayoshi, Sadakazu, and Sadakatsu), Yoshihara Kuniie (as well as one modern blade by grandson Yoshindo Yoshihara), Miyairi Akihira (a National Treasure), Kasama Shigetsugu (arguably the most hallowed gendaito smith), Nagamitsu (a prolific smith of the era) as well as a Mantetsu sword (made from Manchurian railroad steel) and even one example of an unsigned (mumei) blade fashioned from non-traditional methods. Overall, the photography is quite good, although aside from several close-up photos of the steel grain, most of the swords do not have close-up photos of jigane and surface patterns (hada). Overall, Modern Japanese Swords: The Beginning of the Gendaito Era is an excellent companion to the authors’ earlier work, Modern Japanese Swords and Swordsmiths: From 1868 to the Present (the book reviewed here adds Leo Monson as a co-author, without Yoshindo Yoshihara from the earlier volume). Though there is some overlap in terms of history, the focus of each is really on Japanese swords made during two distinct halves of the past century, which the authors like to characterize as gendaito (modern swords) and shin-gendaito (new modern swords). As such, Modern Japanese Swords: The Beginning of the Gendaito Era is a somewhat unique volume focusing on gendaito (Tom Kishida’s now out of print book about Yasakuni Swords and John Slough’s Oshigata Book are exceptions, but have a different focus). Since gendaito often represent an opportunity to own a “real samurai sword” at a relative bargain (i.e. starting at a few hundred dollars), this is an excellent book for beginning collectors interested in dipping their feet into the world of nihonto. It also fills an important historical gap for all nihonto enthusiasts who until recently have neglected gendaito swords. Kudos to the authors for helping us move past old prejudices about these blades."

Well it's 40 dollars on amazon so I guess I will just try and get a copy. Hopefully it talks about the Minotogawa. I'll let you guys know what I think! Thanks, Jason

Like the topic states there is a new Gendaito book out and I was wondering if anyone has read it. Likes, dislikes and what not. Modern Japanese Swords: The Beginning of the Gendaito era Paperback – July 21, 2015 by Mr Leon Kapp (Author), Ms Hiroko Kapp (Author), Mr Leo Monson (Author) Thanks for your time.

I was there on sat and it was a really great morning. There were a ton of great swords to look at and the dealers were more than happy to answer questions (which I had a ton). I got to see my first Minotogawa blade in person :D. For me it was more of a learning day, and there were a ton of great people to learn from! If I could have convinced my wife that the kantie would have been better than shopping I would have been there for that but the sword handleing and preservation session was well done! A big thanks to everyone that helped put it on!

I actually really like that too. Nature and birds of prey are my favorite themes in sword furniture. Aoi could easily make me a poor man on the run lol.

I don't know the seller but I know the book. It is a really good read if you are curious about Yasukuni swords during WW2. So far the bid is 25 dollars plus shipping. They are on amazon for 250. Just a heads up. http://www.ebay.com/itm/The-Yasukuni-Swords-Rare-Weapons-of-Japan-1933-1945-Japanese-Sword-WW2/251895350858?_trksid=p2045573.c100033.m2042&_trkparms=aid%3D111001%26algo%3DREC.SEED%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D29702%26meid%3D6b1ee3e0711848c099d1fc47f23fb97e%26pid%3D100033%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D4%26sd%3D251895350858

Agreed that shows are a great way to get to know guys in the study. My problem with going to shows and learning is I feel like i do not even know the right questions to ask lol. My base is so small with having the sword in hand, but only one way to fix the problem :D.

I'll be there too! Learning, drooling, and hopefully buying :D.

Shoot, I would be ok if I even knew the guy that had that room lol.

Grey and Kronos, that is kind of what I thought it would be usedd for but was not sure. Do very many swords get sold that way? Thomas, ok then my world continues to make sense. It just blew my mind that they would not advertise the minotogawa stamp, but if it was added later to trick people it makes sense. I guess if people can put the wrong names on blades why not stamps?

http://www.aoijapan.com/katana-mumei-inshu-kanesaki I was going through aoi art and found this blade with a red substance in the Bo-Hi on it. This is the first time I have actually seen this done, so I guess the first question is why would this be done? The second question being what is it? I also fell in love with a Minotogawa blade with a horimono on it, but do you think the horimono was added onto it later? I did not think the soldiers had time to do that during WW2. I also am surprised they did not point out that it was a minotogawa blade. They noticed that it had a rare star stamp, but I thought the minotogawa stamp was more rare. http://www.aoijapan.com/katana-gassan-sadakatsu-sakushowa-18th-year1943-june As always thank you for your time and patience!

I went and had a good time. I would say I saw around 75 swords, some tsubas, and even a fair amount of books. All I bought was 2 books though. Saw a really decent Wak for what I thought was a decent price but i'm in the market for a katana. Met some great people though, and had some good conversations. Most of the guys I talked to are even going to the Chicago show, so now I am impatiently awaiting April.

Will do, and hopefully the weather does better things this year lol.

I'm going to be there on Sat for the whole day, just wondering if anyone else is going to show up. This and the Chicago show are on my list for the year.

I would love to get a Minatogawa blade someday, but it will probably not be my first. I thought that these blades in decent condition went 6k to 8k thought. There is one guy for the last 2 months that has tried to get 2k for a machine made blade.

What I thought too, but I don't see many of them go up for sale.

Hey guys, out of my price range but it is rare enough that I thought some of you might like to know. Not in polish but still looks like the real deal to my untrained eye. Well, for some reason my computer will not let me copy and paste but search Very Nice Japanese Naval Officers Kai Gunto Sword Minatogawa, on Ebay to find it.

As a newer guy here I have been corrected when I needed to be corrected and I have been helped when I needed help. Just like a group of good coaches should be!

Very cool! I love swords with history and prominence. My quest for a lost Minotogawa shrine sword will probably take the next 20 years lol.

Ok, thanks for the heads up on the book everyone. :D

Ok, so it does not have a ton of smith signatures or characteristics? Also, thanks for the replies :D

Well I'm sure there is nothing like having swords in hand, but maybe there is a program like skype to have meetings online?

Well I got in to the hobby because I saw swords on Ebay. I stayed in because I stumbled upon this forum and you all were gracious enough to help me back to the kiddy pool to learn. I found the right books to start, then started learning the right questions to ask when looking at new swords. I still have yet to buy my first sword, but I am becoming addicted to buying sword books. Since I am banished to the middle of nowhere southern IL there really are not group meetings except the show of shows and the Mid West show in Chicago. That is where I get to ask questions face to face. Last year I had a coaches seminar on the same weekend as the Mid West show but this year it got changed and can not wait!

Well really I just wanted to know if it was a ton of repeat info from the Dawson book. The worth it part is how much crap I have to hear from the wife on spending that much money on a book lol.

Well I just noticed this book (Japanese Military and Civil Swords and Dirks Hardcover – March, 1997 by Richard Fuller) on Amazon and it is right up my wheel house. Its set at 150$ but has great reviews online. If I already have Swords of Imperial Japan , 1868 - 1945 by Jim Dawson, is it worth the buy? Thanks for your time!