IJASWORDS

Bruce, I understand with a family heirloom, there is more value than monetary, so GO FOR IT!! But we have a saying down here.... I inherited my Great Grandfathers Axe, but its had three new axe heads and five new handles since great grand dad had it....is it still the same axe? Neil.

David Flynn posted a very interesting quandary in another section. That is, with the high cost of a PROPPER polish (circa $4000), and the initial cost of the sword, would this be a financially viable proposition on GENDAI TO? OK, my YASUKUNI TO, yes, and it has, that is a no brainer. So the dilemma is, with a good polish you can enjoy/appreciate the workmanship and fine detail in the blade, with an empty wallet, OR enjoy the sword as a historical/military artefact at a lower cost of ownership. I guess the only mid-ground is probably leave them as they are for now (well maintained of course), and if/when the market price catches up in future, polish then. I can't see the cost of polishing declining. Neil.

Thanks Rayhan, you just saved me a lot of money! I was planning a trip to Japan, BUT your description was so GOOD that I felt like I was really there!! Have you thought about being a travel writer? Your description was first class. Neil.

Do GUNTO count? I guess with a mix of KOTO through to GENDAI TO, with YASUKUNI blades thrown in, probably do. Neil.

I have a number of GUNTO (some with GENDAI blades), that are equipped with aluminium scabbards. I obviously know that they were reasonably common, but have three questions about when they were introduced, were they in their time equal in status to other scabbard materials, and, why was aluminium used (lightness, easy to form?). They certainly make the outfit lighter to carry, but on the down side, dent and deform easily. Neil.

If you get a MUMEI blade papered, no one can question it. Neil.

Hi Bruce, I have a few swords with arsenal stamps on the KABUTOGANE of some GENDAI swords (KANENORI, MASAKIYO), do they count, (not on the blades however). Neil

Sorry Rayhan, name is Neil, and is lower down on the post. Maybe you should ask collectors how THEY came to appreciate swords/blades, and then use this information to formulate an education program. I got an interest in Japanese blades studying Metallurgy, and learning about their steel making and heat treatment. I know a collector whos first contact with swords was in a Samurai movie. I know a guy that actually bought his first sword to put under his bed for protection. There has been some great sword documentaries on the HISTORY CHANNEL on cable. NHK, the English Japanese news channel has had documentaries on swords. Information is out there, but you can a horse to water...... First step, get it out of peoples heads that they are weapons only!! Neil.

Rayhan, interesting post with your watch comparisons. I collect watches and Japanese swords (GUNTO, GENDAI). I just sold a PATEK (CALATRAVA 5196J) for 40% more than what I paid for it ten years ago, WHY, to buy a YASUKUNI-TO, which I am sure will appreciate at least as much. ANY THING where demand outstrips supply will be sold at a premium price and appreciate. ROLEX/PATEK are aspirational, in high demand, but hold there value due to scarcity. Last time I looked, they are not making too many KOTO blades, so as demand increases for the scarce resource so does price. You could buy 50 SWATCHES for the price of a ROLEX, or 10 TAGS, which will give you the best return in 10 years? The answer is simple, buy the best you can afford that is already collectable and in demand. BUT refer back to an earlier post of mine, if fat old guys with a bit of spending money want some thing, they will pay over the odds for it, just to have it, to keep, and not as an investment. Morale of the story, one good collectable specimen is always better than ten run-of-the-mill swords.

Got a similar Motif on WW2 KAI GUNTO, one side only on TZUKA.

Help would appreciated in identifying this TSUBA. It is from a 1600's blade, that is in GUNTO mounts. The age and type/school would be appreciated. I have no illusions that it may not be the age of the blade, but it nice to know what you have. Thanks in advance, Neil.

Hi Bruce, it is the longer KO. Re numbers, if you have DAWSONS book, page 123 actually shows crossed out numbers, and re-stamping. Funny, I have never seen filed off examples.

Windy (Matt), John's suggestion is spot on. I have used the personal messenger function on NMB to make contact with other collectors in my country. You will find other collectors are only too willing to take you under their wing, help you out, and as in my case have even helped find a couple of swords that I was searching for. The worst that can happen is you get no reply (very unlikely). The people I have "met" through the forum are wonderful passionate fellow enthusiasts, who like me, like nothing more than talking about and sharing their GUNTO experience. Best of luck in starting off in what is a great hobby, with even greater fellow collectors. Neil.

Got a TYPE 32 sword with three sets of numbers stamped on the drag. There are two sets on one side crossed out, and the matching number to the blade stamped on the other, with what looks like the same size and font as the blade. Heard of two numbers on the drag, due to reworking the swords over the years of service in the arsenal, but three? Any ideas, or has it been back a number of times, and there was no space on the regular side of the drag? The serial number is 13047.

Ok Dave, took your advice, took off TZUKA, (a bit of gentle persuasion needed), and no active corrosion to speak of. A YOSHIMICHI SHOWATO blade. Kinda sorry I did it, but if that's what it takes, so be it.

OK, this one probably doesn't fit the HIGH CLASS category, but it is one of my prized specimens. It is an original leather combat covered '98 GUNTO. The leather is in poor condition, the tassel is frayed, the leather TZUKA cover marked, the surrender tag on its last legs and the blade is an ordinary SHOWA TO. BUT, the leather has never been removed to expose what is below, the TZUKA has never been removed as the blade is NO treasure..... So why? I just wanted to own (and respect) a sword that was used in war, brought back by a Vet, and kept the way it was in 1945. It has been there, and LOOKS like it. I have been tempted to knock out the MEKUGI, but resisted, I want at least one WW2 sword to pass to the next generation as is, untouched. Hope you can relate to this. Neil.

Collecting swords (NIHONTO or GENDAI), is like having kids. If you worked out how much financial impact kids have on your bank balance, you wouldn't have any!! Swords/Kids, you have them because you love them!

Ed, thankyou, GOOD information. Neil.

It is interesting how there is a variety of ways the ITO is knotted or terminated at the KABUTOGANE on both KAI and SHIN GUNTO. Took a snap of five varieties I have, all original, and vary distinctly. Is there an ITO expert out there that can name the variations in knots? They must have their roots in tradition, otherwise they probably would not be tied in these variations. When you collect GUNTO, even with SHOWA TO, or machine made blades, there is always some thing different and fascinating about every sword, the ITO knotting is just one. Neil.

Don't know if this qualifies, but there are definite stamps on both sides of the drag on a KAI GUNTO from my collection.

OK Bruce, here goes.

I read in previous posts that the humble pattern 4 side latch is less common than the copper handle. Because of the iron FUCHI, it is impossible to make out any stamps. Help in indicating its manufacturing number range and what stamps should be there would be gratefully appreciated. Neil.

Hi barnejp, buy some books, best couple of hundred bucks you could invest, I think now every one is echoing this sentiment. Before you buy some swords, get some knowledge. Neil.

If it wasn't for the NMB forum, there would not be the opportunity to see these wonderful examples of very RARE GUNTO. Just when you think that you've got a fairly complete collection, another example surfaces. Makes you wonder what else may be out there, lurking in an attic or corner of a garage some where. All I ask is that members continue to share their prize GUNTO, and give the rest of us the pleasure of viewing their treasures. Thanks guys for the posts. Neil.

Don't know if these help, a SUYA company logo, and a Iijima company logo swords.