Bruce Pennington

Dang! All the animals of the calendar! And an interesting depiction of Daikokuten. Thanks, Jim!

By loose, do you mean the wrap, and pattern, are still in place but it's just gotten loose? Picture might help.

Thanks guys! Really appreciate your help.

Just read through all of your examples, Brian, and I really like your selection. You have a broad spectrum of examples from low quality to high-quality. I also like the location, as the section we had in the photo gallery was not always easy to navigate to for beginners.

I wondered that too

To me, that would make this sword even more attractive from a collectors point of view.

Adding a link to the ongoing discussion in the Military Section:

Wow, thanks Uwe! Brian, and chance of getting that added to the Kanji used in names reference page? I rely on this quite often, but all that is posted for "Nao" is "直 尚".

Yes, that is gorgeous! I was expecting to see the color on Ohmura's page, but was surprised it was not included It looks original, though. We know it was done in NCO 95s from @Stegel collection and posts, and I'm thinking we've seen it at least once before for officer gunto, but haven't done a search yet.

Peoples Liberation Army? Does it have the same meaning in Japanese?

I'm posting a link to a thead of the same name I've created over on Warrelics combining a few posts made by Akira Komiya on the topic. We have several of these posted here and there at NMB, but this one gathers the three into one discussion. The essence is that the top graduates of Army and Navy schools were given swords, dirks, and watches inscribed with "Imperial Gift". Akira-san explains the practice and examples are posted. Imperial GIft Swords, Dirks, and Watches - Akira Komiya

Ah, is that one of those that has a couple of ways to write? This one has a extra stroke:

Here's one, that to me, supports the idea that the Budo, or grape, tsuba is Gunzoku rather than just a mass-produced civilian tsuba. It's on a kaigunto that is completely standard, yes an upgraded saya coating. The blade is a showa-stamped Yoshinao. So, the Occum's Razor approach would be to say - Gunzoku - rather than - Maybe it was in civil fittings, then switched over to kaigunto - or Maybe the Naval officer just wanted a civil tsuba (which we have sometimes seen, admittedly). Not a conclusive piece of evidence, but one that I offer in consideration of the question. Found at this Militaryitems.com page. Mislabled by the owner. Showa, not Seki.

I know I've "learned" this kanji before, but I've forgotten:

Nice set, Tim. I actually like that replacement grip. They did a decent job with it.

Circled "Yama", right? over what name, please? Sword is found on this Militaryitems.com page.

Nice work Nazar.

So, made in 1940.

@george trotter Got a new smith to add to our Matsu survey! Masakane from Ibaraki prefecture. Posted by Geoff - @Foletta - HERE. That makes 6 smiths in 4 adjoining prefectures - Niigata, Nagano, Gunma, and Ibaraki

Yes, Slough had one in his book, but this is the first one I've seen "in the wild"! Checking Slough, he attributes the kao to Kawai Kaneyoshi

The kikumon, as I am told, was used by swordsmiths that were working for, or approved of, by the Shoganate. Found on swords from the 1600s to the 1800s.

Extra seppa and tsuba can be found. I bought a complete set on ebay years ago. I've also bought a group of random extras from Crimson Mist Militaria, although I don't see any listed there right now. There are a couple of guys here at NMB that often have some, but I don't recall who exactly that was.

Here are some examples posted by @Stegel on this thread - Gold Painted Gunto I repainted a 95 years ago that had been completely stirpped and spray-painted gold, even the blade. I used an Army Green mixed with a brown. It was difficult (for me) to get the right mix to match the other 95s I own. Never got that close, so I finally stopped and let it be. Second one from the top: and from the left, here: There seems to be more brown in them that meets the eye at first.

Yes, legit WWII era sword. Depends on the fit, but yes, they normally have more seppa than that.

Thought I would add this unique WWII tsuba, posted by @aftakas HERE: Could be a modern repro, but I don't think so. Looks legit to me, and as such would be quite a custom job.