IJASWORDS

Made by (YOSHIDA) KANEUJI, a SHOWA TO blade. It would have had a leather SAYA cover. No too bad a specimen to kick off collecting.

Chris, your question begs more questions. The major one being, what do you want from your swords? If you want to own a NIHONTO then SHIRASAYA is surely fine, and what a lot of collectors house their blades in any way. If you are "POOR" and want to have a display sword or "wall hanger", buy a nice Chinese replica that looks good, you can swing it around, and have fun with it. BUT marrying up a blade with dubious fitting furniture would in my opinion actually detract from your sword. There are things I would like, and don't get because I cant afford them. So the moral of my story is get what you can afford, and be happy with it.

Hi Chris, I spent time today looking at my KANENORIs. Photos attached of one of my closest. Blade, signature, stamp and date are similar. My blade also looks nice, and at first look you could assume GENDAI TO. BUT close inspection shows what John just pointed out, a "high grade SHOWA TO", and well made. Some time ago, I wrote a piece on collecting WW2 GUNTO. In that I wrote that every collection should have, or start with a KANENORI, because they are not expensive, prolific, are very well made and very representative of the best SHOWA swordsmiths of that time. Probably the next step up would be EMURA, NAGAMITSU, TERUHIDE and MASAKIYO although some may argue about my choices. Hope I didn't disappoint you, but in reality, you have a very nice collectable SHIN GUNTO. Neil.

Chris, I know what you are thinking, that you think that you have a "real" GENDAI TO. You don't believe it is machine made. I would be more convinced if it had a STAR STAMP, indicating the use of TAMAHAGANE. There is every chance it is made from steel, and hand forged, and oil quenched. BUT, very hard to identify from photos. I have and had many KANENORI and it looks like what I described. A GENDAI KANENORI is very rare, and a good one quite expensive. Your sword is a very nice package, and I would do more research on how he identified his GENDAI swords, not just by reading "for sale" advertisements. I will take a closer look at some of mine, and if I find some thing that helps you, I will post some photos. Neil.

Chris. well said. But putting value aside, the SHOWA-TO is an example of swords used in war. They were not DRESS swords like those carried by other countries armed forces. They were a formidable weapon of combat. A Japanese officer without his sword was disgraced and lost face. So when I handle a GUNTO, I also think about the officer who carried it to war, and as such give it respect as he would have done. So Matthew, yours is not JUST a piece of war memorabilia, it represents a lot more than that. And 75 years ago, an officer cared for it, could have died with it........makes you think doesn't it. Neil.

Dan, thanks for the photos. I will put the museum on my bucket list. Great displays. Neil.

The "hoop thing" as you call it is a SARU TE. It is used to tie the tassel of the rank that carries the sword. Neil.

Steve, additional photos do the sword more justice, especially of the leather combat cover. It actually looks like above average package. This would be a great addition to any collection. Is it actually on the market? Neil.

Is Jeff your name?? All good questions. We probably all started collecting by rushing into our first purchase, and regretting it later. SO.. get some good books on the subject, and research your chosen field of collecting. You have a BIG budget, don't blow it. John gave you a good site above, and I have only good words for samuraisword.com. Yes, most sellers will do a deal. So study/find/negotiate/buy. Neil.

I remember reading at some time that after a certain date, there was an edict that blades made for military use needed to be signed with the swordsmith's name. Could an enlightened member confirm this, and if possible the effective date. I ask this as I have GUNTO with very good, but unsigned blades, probably made in the early 1930's. Any help would be appreciated. Neil.

Pictured was a Japanese WW2 General officers dress sash, worn around the waist. The tassels are a woven metal thread (and heavy!). Neil.

Do these "babies" qualify? Neil.

In the hand, its not too hard to tell. In the picture below, left IJ Navy, centre IJ Army, and the right late war IJ Army. The way to tell the late war apart, is that it is lighter and brighter than the Navy tassel. Hope the picture is clear enough to tell the difference. By the way, the late war officer tassels in my experience are quite difficult to find. Neil.

Hi Chris, a Copper handle NCO on left, then SESHU JU YOSHIKUNI (Kanbun 1661), then GENDAI Morita KANESHIGE, and lastly, SEIKI/MINO UJIFUSA OWARI (a model '94). Thanks for asking. Neil.

Pulled out a couple from collection. Probably don't qualify for your quiz, but I like 'em. Neil

Unfortunately have to agree with Brian, as prices move upwards, the copies will inevitably get better. There is not much more complicated (and valuable) as ROLEX watches. It now takes an expert to tell the difference between a Chinese $25 copy ROLEX and the real deal, right down to the automatic movement. So if they put their mind to it, an NCO sword should be no problem to reproduce. There are strategies in place with most countries Customs and Border protection to seize and destroy fake watches, handbags, CD's DVD's etc, but swords are not even on the RADAR. By the way, the MILLIONS of copy ROLEXS have not slowed the demand for the real thing, or stopped prices rising. Neil.

Hi Cyn, I don't know if I would attempt to clean the blade, even machine made. I would certainly try and stabilise any red/brown rust with the cotton rag and oil. But there is always the temptation to go a bit further, and some times to the detriment of the blade. Most collectors don't mind the "been there" look but won't be interested in an amateur attempt to "polish" a blade. Your call of course, but there is no harm in waiting a while, studying carefully what you have, and then with the knowledge gained, make an informed decision. Neil.

Thanks Stephen, you are on officer and a gentleman, Neil.

I am after a copy (or good reproduction if allowed) of HERMAN WALLINGA'S book, Gendaito Made At The Minatogawa Shrine. I can't seem to find any for sale on any usual book site. I tried the normally reliable Grey Doffin, but no success. Your help would be appreciated. Neil.

I measured 10 swords, average is 6.5 cm. Neil.

HQ fittings can be found on a number of types of GUNTO. Some of my favourites.

Hi Marcus, just wondering how the GENDAITO PROJECT is progressing? And what help you need. Your update may prompt others to come on board to support this much anticipated (and needed) reference material.

Hi Ian, this is one of my brown SAYA Kai's. A KOTO blade, so may e a special order at the time.

I would be grateful for help in identifying this mon from a WW2 SHIN-GUNTO.

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