Bruce Pennington

Gorgeous blade, Marcin.

We've seen mon on fuchi already, but I had to add this one. A kikusui on a Type 98:

A kikusui used as a kamon on the fuchi of a Type 98. Blade is mumei and something old.

Thanks guys! You nailed it. So, the owner likely used it as a tip-o-the-hat to Lord Kusunoki, or his family, like thousands of others, adopted the mon for their own. The add for the auction claims the swords was from the Minatogawa shrine, I'm sure, based solely upon the fact that the shrine used the kikusui. Thanks for the enlightenment, gents.

Wow, that was an extensive list of Mon! I saw two Kiku, but none with sui, or none sitting on a river.

Was the kikusui used as a mon? This is on a Type 98 fuchi, older mumei blade, at this Bradfords Auction

Your question reminds me of the many fake and/or island swords that have cracking, thin saya covers. They are probably that imitation, ersatz-type material. Wonder how many of them, that we wrote off as fakes, were of what you are bringing up.

Brian, Every business that uses monthly payment vs one-time annual charges more for the monthly. It's an incentive for paying the annual. So, $60 for annual, or $6 monthly ($72 per year). It would increase your intake and make the lower monthly costs palatable to those with less income and/or hobby money on a monthly basis. Merchandise - I'd buy an NMB t-shirt!

Wow, Alex, I had completely forgotten about this issue and the fact that I have an ersatz saya cover of compressed paper! In the discussion, below, Shamsy posted one that is of some sort of imitation leather, too: A couple of photos from the thread: My compressed paper saya cover Steve's ersatz leather:

That never gets old! It still amazes me to see how they can hammer out the shape of the blade with such precision. Thanks for the post.

Thanks Dave! I like that shot.

Thanks, Steve! Sounds like a swordsmith, or someone watching one work.

Debated as to whether to post this here or on the Fittings thread, but here it is. Posted by @Mrbacon HERE. I think I've seen this once before, but pretty rare - a leather haikan.

Hi James! Like Geraint asked, could you remove the handle (tsuka) of the second sword and show the signature? The first, made by Masatsune was likely made around 1940-41. The small stamp is the Showa inspection stamp of the Seki Cutlery Manufacturers Association and not an Army arsenal stamp. Yours looks like it has a nice hamon (temper pattern)! These swords vary from market to market, but on average are worth around $1,200-1,400. The same can be said about your second sword, unless we see that it was traditionally made, which would drive the price up higher around $2,000ish. Good page for caring for your swords: Japanese Sword Care - Japaneseswordindex.com

Thanks Con! I remember that one. Here's a better shot:

Also spring 1943. Do us a favor and post the serial number on the back, please!

Maybe Klingon?

I know we've tossed the banner ads idea around before, but I don't see why not, Brian. Every other forum I frequent uses them. I've clicked on several simply to see if they carried any Mantetsu or swords with stamps! They aren't a bother at all.

Yes, something different! Can you read it @Bugyotsuji? Maybe @uwe or @SteveM?

And you will find the AI engines have a long way to catch up when it comes to Japanese swords.

Mike, You can read up on the NCO Type 95 on Ohmura's site: NCO Gunto Type 95 - Ohmura The stamps can be identified there as well, but here is a chart from his pages: As you will see, the "Ichi" logo is of a shop not officially identified. Several of us, here at NMB, believe it is the same shop as the Kobe Sword Forge as seen with a "K" in sakura (cherry flower).

You got it, Eric! Now if someone can decipher the writing ....

Thanks Marcin! I have this one from Nicholas back from Oct '24. Good luck with the sale, Nicholas, excellent gendaito!

This one reminds me of the Buddhist imagery of a rendai, the lotus petals put beneath an image of the Buddha. (Mal Cox, NMB). but it has 2 "leaves" underneath instead of 3. Need someone familiar with Buddhist symbology.

I'm fascinated by the steaming pot! Wonder what they were cooking?