IJASWORDS

Hi Geir, what you have is a relic from the war in the Pacific, WW2. So no real cultural value, but of some value to a collector of WW2 swords.

Nice vermilion color Dave.

Bryce, good question, and one that I have pondered over as well. Basically because officers purchased their own swords I think you could choose your own color, or were at the whim of the sword maker. I have bright greens, even shark skin covered army swords. On some swords the fittings are not the usual copper color, but could be blackened. Nothing surprises me in the variations that surface.

To Mark C, the going price seems to be about USD2700 upwards these days. Have you tried buying from the USA or Australia? UK prices are crazy! Lately Chinese buyers have been active, and will continue to place upwards pressure on prices. Apparently they like them for their Chinese origin and cutting ability for martial arts.

Blade looks good and original, there are some late reproductions added to koshirae, but a nice collectible package.

MASATOSHI?

Does any one have the email address of the Japanese company Iida-Koendo Ltd? I have a phone number, but find it difficult to communicate. Help would be gratefully appreciated. Neil.

Stephen, my name is ALWAYS at the very bottom of the post....Neil.

Hey Bruce, you occasionally see things like that. This is on a latch/throat cover example of mine.

Thanks guys. Hope Master Isozaki Toshihide survived. Actually saddens you when you put a real persons name to it. It goes from just a war relic to some thing personal.

By the way, a translation would be appreciated.

From my bedroom wall, a complete WW2 going to war banner.

Whilst your sword is not a Japanese WW2 sword, it is more than likely made by the Islanders to look like one. It may well have been made during the war time period to look like their Japanese occupiers swords.

No "ridicule" intended, or even expressed. I am actually interested in Bob's experience, and was just double checking that he was being serious with us. Being relative new to NMB, I have not seen previous posts on the subject. My mind is always open to other views.

Hang on, hang on Bob, are you pulling our leg and winding us up?

Bazza, my understanding was that ALL imports, of any value was GST'able. But at the moment the Government have required only major internet sellers (like eBay and Amazon) to add GST on to purchases. My swords were from private sellers, not through eBay.

Hi Chris, I have had two sword deliveries from the USA by USPS since the new GST legislation took effect 1st July. They both took 5 working days longer than usual to arrive. The tracking (both USPS and AusPost), track as normal from sender through USA and hit a "road block" for days after it says arrived Kingsford Smith Airport Sydney. They eventually arrive DAYS after they used to. HOWEVER, I have not been hit up for tax, I was advised to tell the seller to describe them as VINTAGE SWORD. NOT VINTAGE Japanese SWORD, the reason being that the word Japanese sword triggers customs to search for ray skin, an endangered species, and could lead to the destruction of the sword as an illegal import. So I guess a VINTAGE SWORD (which they legally are), are not taxable, but they probably go through an assessment (time consuming process). Hope this helps.

Thought I would share old family blade (Echizen Seiki circa 1684 papered) in Gunto mounts. Retention strap and Kuri-Gata still attached.

Art is the materialization of the "artists" vision. That could be a song writer creating music from thoughts, to a painter or sculpture physically creating a work from his vision. My only thought on nihonto as art, is if the "creation" happens through chance or luck, as in the quenching process. Sure the blade could come out a beautiful "masterpiece" but there is always an element of chance versus vision.

Thanks Bill for sharing. So it looks like Mantetsu are common in these mounts. Interesting. Like you I have only seen couple in years of collecting.

Hi Bruce, it is apparently the rare DAIREN railway company stamp.

If any members have one of these pattern swords, I would love to see photos posted here. I have only seen 2 in the hand, and 3 in print.

I got hold of late war shin-gunto, often called a "45 pattern home defense sword". As can be seen from the photos, the fittings are quite utilitarian pressed and cast metal. Although the sword is well made and "tight", with a Mantetsu blade. From all accounts, they are not that common.

Hi Brandon, its actually MIWA MASAYUKI.

Nice! Looks like a possible tsuba used on a showa period civilian sword, or even a non-military personal authorized to carry a sword as a mark of status. I have however never seen this one. I would assume there are more out there, as the time and expense required for the dies would need to be recouped over a significant production run.