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This guy is a tanker, not a pilot, at least according to the helmet he is wearing. Steve

I have done this as well. I live on an island, and am struck by how much a cloud formation on the horizon over the sea resembles a hamon. Many times. Steve

Interesting topic. I can see two sides to this issue. When I obtained my first swords in the seventies, there weren’t many references commonly available in English, basically Hawley, Yumoto, and Robinson. No internet. Most of the swords I came across were in gunto mounts, and there was no information or interest in them in the “serious” sword world. Somewhere I have dealer price lists from the early eighties listing Yasukuni Shrine swords in the $250 range. I taught myself to read mei because I got tired of depending on others. Japanese swords were not and still aren’t my main collecting interest, but I’ve owned a fair number over the years. After groping in the darkness in the early days, I understand the thrill a newbie has at finding a site like this. And make no mistake, we were all newbies at one time. All of us had help along the way, and we have an obligation pay it forward. From that point of view, the original post sounds a bit snobbish. On the other hand, I am a member of another forum in a completely different field of collecting that is very well run, serious, and friendly. Great sharing and building knowledge. Yes, a few egos as there always are (mine’s bigger than yours) but not bad. A newbie joined, very enthusiastic, very active collector, but ended up almost dominating the forum and becoming a pest. He used the forum as his private vetting service, and never seemed to learn. All his posts were “is this one good?”, “what do you guys think of this one?”. Got old after a while, and some of the serious collectors drifted away. I don’t know the answer, maybe the internet age is also the age of instant gratification. Just some thoughts. Steve

It caught my eye, but I was put off by the poor photos of the blade, no photos of the nakago, and the no return policy. Not for me. Steve

Sad. I was at gun shows in the 70’s and 80’s where there were piles of swords like that, except they were real. Steve

In the US, the popular online auction site Gunbroker (like ebay except it’s for firearms and accessories) has a “15 minute rule”. All auctions have an ending time, but that time is extended 15 minutes every time there is a bid at the end of the auction. I once battled another bidder for 1 1/2 hours after the original closing time of the auction. In the end he wanted the item more than I did. Steve

Let me first say I make no claim to be an expert on anything. I have however been looking at gendai swords for a while now. Bought my first one, a Kasama Shigetsugu in 1983. Information on gendaito was pretty hard to come by in those days. I do not and have never owned a Minatogawa sword. One thing I was taught, was that the blade’s the thing. Always look at the quality of the steel first. Then the other qualities, with the signature coming last. In the discussions regarding the sword at hand all I have seen are comments about the mon, the signature and the seppa. It’s as if we’re discussing a signature that has a blade attached to it. What about the blade? What about the steel? How do these qualities compare to other Minatogawa swords? Steve

No, the seller was a private individual in upstate New York. He didn’t know what he had, just said it was a samurai sword brought back from Iwo Jima, and that some of the proceeds were going to be donated to some charity. He was clearly an inexperienced ebayer, and I knew the sharks would be circling bombarding him with lowball offers. Although I wasn’t in a position to buy it at the time, I wrote the seller urging him to resist the offers and let the auction run its course, simply because I hate to see anyone get fleeced. He responded, thanking me and explained the whole story. The sword was brought back by his brother(a Marine) from Iwo Jima. He had recently passed away, and the seller was selling it for the widow. He had no idea it was so valuable. He sent me a copy of a photo showing the guy cutting his wedding cake with it after the war! It ended up going for 15k. After the auction he again thanked me. He clearly idolized his brother, who went on to a career in the Secret Service. I had no reason to doubt his story, and still believe it had a very real chance of being Kuribayashi’s sword. Regardless, it was a beautiful Gassan in high end mounts with a general’s tassel. Steve

I’m sure many officers, especially higher ranking ones had more than one sword. Years ago I was researching a sword that was for sale on ebay that very possibly belonged to General Kuribayashi. The sword was a Gassan made in the 1930’s in beautiful gunto mounts with a general’s tassel. I discovered a reference where his wife said after he left to take command at Iwo Jima, she discovered he had taken his new sword with him instead of his old family sword. This made her realize he didn’t expect to return. Steve

An outstanding book on the Pacific war is Shots Fired In Anger. The author, Lt. Col. John George, fought on Guadalcanal and had an uncommon interest in Japanese weapons, tactics, and culture. Has had this to say about the swords: “Maybe that accounted for the craze to carry these useless items in the front lines. Certainly, toward the latter months of the battle of Guadalcanal, the Japs came to realize the uselessness of the sword as a weapon. But they still carried it; often enough the blades found on freshly killed would be so wrapped with protective cloth or chamois hide that they could not possibly have been drawn for use. Sometimes, in assaults, officers were killed with pistol in hand and sword sheathed- even at close quarters.” He has a lot more to say about swords and other Japanese weapons. Steve

The sword Yamashita actually surrendered at his capture is on display at the USMA museum. It’s a shinto blade by Fujiwara Kanenaga in gunto mounts with a leather covered scabbard. Steve

I too sent a note. I have bought from this seller and found their service to be outstanding. They once did some nice follow up research for me. They always have quality items so I was surprised to see their reluctance to cancel the auction. Ultimately they did cancel it, which was what I expected. Of course the prodding from our members is what did it, but it’s always nice to see someone do the right thing. A small victory for the good guys! Steve

This. My regret, though is a Kasama Shigetsugu in full polish in the highest quality gunto mounts I’ve ever seen in perfect condition. I bought it in the early 80’s for $250, sold it for $750 a couple of years later and thought I was doing well. Ironically I wanted the funds to purchase a rare Winchester. Steve

There are many metal saya with combat covers. Steve

Probably something to do with a leather restraining strap, used in conjunction with a leather combat cover on the saya. Steve

No, but search eBay for "Kunimori sword" in completed listings and you will see it. Mind you I have nothing against profit, but I believe in giving credit where credit is due. This forum just helped Jason make a lot of money, and I hope he appreciates it. Steve

At a pretty hefty profit I see. Perhaps a donation to the forum is in order. Steve

Sorry but I disagree. Swords are first and foremost weapons made for killing, and always have been. Form follows function. All the effort the swordsmiths put into their swords was to make a better killing weapon. If people want to ooh and aah over utsuri and other arcane effects in the steel, remember these are just byproducts of the effort to make a better killing weapon. I find the very term "art swords" distasteful and disingenuous. It is not art. It is not culture, unless the culture is about death and killing. No, I am not into the martial arts. Yes, I enjoy studying a beautiful koto blade, but I always bear in mind what it is and what it is for. Steve

I have seen lots of these swords over the years still in the hands of the veterans who brought them back. The swords were always in excellent condition unless they had been stored in a barn or tool shed. Without exception they picked them up in Japan after the war ended. I believe the swords are a late war pattern that was never actually issued, and our occupation troops cleaned out the warehouse. Steve

Stephen, Be glad to help, no compensation necessary. It would be fun. Steve

I know this is my first post here, but I have been lurking for quite a while. I live across the water from Cape Cod where Eldreds is located, and have been to some of their auctions, mostly looking at weapons and nautical items. In fact I was there in July, looking at a painting with a friend which he bid up quite high and didn't get. They are fairly well known, old and established, and the Cape is home to some serious money. August is high season around here (in fact Dear Leader is a couple of miles from me as I write), lots of people and lots of wealth, so I wouldn't anticipate too many bargains, especially when you add the 20% buyer's premium. Most of my collector friends (even one who lives 20 minutes away) no longer bother with them. But I guess you never know. I'm not planning on going as my interests run mostly to pre 1945 gendai, and I've already hit the slush fund pretty hard this year. Having said that, I would be happy to assist any member any way I can. Steve F