rebcannonshooter

Hi Ray, I really love this sword! It's times like these that I wish I was born rich. My lovely wife, however, correctly pointed out that I have already exceeded my yearly budget for swords and it's only February. I hate it when she's right! Anyway, beautiful sword, good luck with the sale, Tom M.

Hi Piers, I disagree, they even match the listed Amahide Kokuin in Slough's Oshigata book. Tom

The Kokuin on this sword is an exact match for the kokuin of the Showa swordsmith Fukumoto Amahide. Amahide's son Fukumoto Kanemune often signed for his father and others at the school. The formation of the "hide" kanji is exactly how Kanemune signed. I don't know much about Amahide's other students, but would be willing to bet that this "Masahide" is one of them. Does any one have more info on this group? Tom

Hi Kevin, The leather cover had me put off a bit, but your sword is a real Japanese sword from WW2. The tang is quite rusty so it's hard to read. What I can make out is "No-Shu Ju Tomo??? Hide??? Saku". With the rust I'm not super confident, maybe one of the guys with better eyes will way in with their opinion. Tom M.

Hi Adam, I love Kai gunto's too, and this looks like a good one! congrats! Tom

Good Morning Peter, I just got to tell you that I love this Tsuba. I love the perfect "imperfections" of the plants, and the crab's cool too. Tom

Hi Max, Your sword appears to be signed NOSHU SEKI (no) JU KO-JIMA KATSU MASA SAKU. Tom M.

Hi Leo, The break of between wakizashi and katana is usually 60 cm. Ishihara Kanenao was a WW2 smith that made swords for the military, so I believe the sword was meant to be katana length, but just came out a little short. Tom M.

Thanks John, The "sword grade steel" makes sense. I've seen the letter 'k' inside a star before, but not the 'k' inside a circle inside a star inside another circle! Just wondering if any of the other militaria collectors have seen such a thing. Plus, "normally" aren't these types of stamps on the nakago? The location of this struck me as odd. thanks, Tom

I saw this on eBay today. The sword appears to be legit, and of good quality. But I've never seen these stamps before, or in this location. The nakago is mumei. Hey Bruce and/or Kiipu do you have anything like this on file? What do you guys think? Thanks Tom M.

Hi Sam, I know the "other" Tom very well, (my wife and I are having dinner with him and his wife this weekend), whenever you get in the area we'll set something up! Tom M.

Hi Sam, I'm not sure where in Oregon you live, but I have three Type 95's of various models. I'm extending an open invitation to come to my house and study them (as well as other military swords). I live in Idleyld Park, Oregon, so you can estimate how long of a drive it is. Let me know, Tom

Not to hijack this thread, but I've never seen a Kikusui engraved on an Asano Kanezane. Has anybody seen one before? I'm a fan of Kanezane ( I have two) and would love to see more. Bruce do you have any on record? Tom

Hello Dan, There's a couple of things that I see that are inconsistent with a legitimate 95. I don't like the way the Bohi (groove) ends for a start. We need better pictures especially focus on the Habaki (collar) and how the Bohi ends next to it. Then photos of the blade tip and how the Bohi ends there. These are usual areas that the fakers get wrong. Better photos of the stamps on the Fuchi (collar) as well as the serial number and the stamp next to it. Tom

Hi Gus, Ray translated the major points of the appraisal for you, but it seems that there's a couple of things your confused on. The papers authenticate your sword to "Koto Suke Sada". Koto is not the first name of the sword smith, but as Ray indicated "Koto" is a general time period of sword manufacturing. The appraisers believe that it was made during the Tensho Period (1573-1592) which is adding a more specific time period rather than just a general koto estimate. As I indicated in my first post the sword is signed BISHU OSAFUNE SUKE SADA. Meaning the swordsmith's art name was Suke Sada, who lived in Osafune village, Bizen Province. Your sword is quite old and genuine, but I have no idea of sword values in Sweden. Everyone on this forum loves Japanese Swords, and we hope that all new sword owners understand that they are now "custodians" of a historical artifact, and give it the care it deserves. Tom

I see an oshigata (tang rubbing) attached to a description written in Japanese, which appears to be an appraisal. That's the document I'm talking about. (Also the swords appears to be several hundred years old) Tom

From the partial picture of the appraisal paperwork I can read "BISHU OSAFUNE SUKE SADA", which appears to match the signature on your sword. Since there were over 150 Suke Sada's that worked over several hundred years it's hard to tell which one from what you've provided. There is appraisal paperwork, take clear photos of it and post in the translation section, and I think most of your questions will be answered. But, it is a real Nihonto with some age. Tom

Hi Bruce, Fuller and Gregory list a YOSHITADA with a similar signature style. Tom Whoops! I meant YOSHI-SADA

Thanks Bruce and Kiipu, when I compare my sword to the auction one they are absolutely identical. So much so that I felt that they had to be made in the same factory. When I saw the "seki" stamp I thought that it indicated a different factory. So, if I understand you right same factory, just different inspection stamp? Just for what its worth my sword has an iron fuchi with no stamps at all, which I assume is correct for all side latch Nagoya 95's. Thanks again guys, Tom

Hey Bruce, I have a Nagoya Type 95 side latch, with a serial number in the 133000 range with a "NA" stamp. The way the bo-hi of my sword starts and ends is very similar to the one in the action, as well as other details of the sword. I believe the auction sword is absolutely genuine. But, I guess my curiosity is, why does the auction sword have a "seki" stamp? I thought production of these were only from Nagoya. You've done a lot of research on these so can you share what's the story? Thanks in advance, Tom

Hi folks, just for clarification, The Kiku-sui mon was a popular symbol in Japan and was not exclusive to the Minatogawa Jinja. Both Gassan Sadakazu and Gassan Sadakatsu engraved this on numerous swords as did other smiths. It is possible that this was a WW2 engraving, although not of great quality.. Tom M.

Hi Scott, As Ray said your sword is signed Tenshozan which is the name of a forge. The sword is stainless steel, and is in WW2 Naval officer's mounts. The sword is missing its Tsuba (sword guard) and two Daiseppa (large decorative washers that look like sun rays, on each side of the Tsuba). The Saya (scabbard) is wrapped in shark skin with black lacquer applied to it. Tom

Bruce, are you asking for yourself? If so, I have a couple that I could make available! Tom

Good Morning, Your sword appears to be a WW2 sword. The signature Is KANE TOSHI. There were several swordsmiths that used this name during the war, not sure which one. Tom M.

Hi Vincent, Your sword appears to be a legitimate Nihonto. The mei reads KATSU SHIGE. There were a number of smiths with this name, who worked from Shinto to Shin-Shinto. My guess from nakago shape is Bizen, but just a guess. Hard to tell much from the blade. Tom