EdWolf

Hi to all, The Kogai Bitsu and Kozuka Bitsu are on the inside decorated with some markings. Does anyone know the meaning of it or is it just some kind decoration? Does anyone have pictures of similar markings? I have never seen it before. Best regards, Ed

The tang seems unaltered (ubu). Sorry but I don’t have pictures of the blade. It’s cloudy and dark outside and using a flash is not an option. The blade has on one side a goma hashi Horimono. On the other side a single wide groove. The habaki an seppa are gold foiled. Here’s a picture of the koshirae. The mantis is very well executed. When the weather changed to sunny I will try to take a good picture of the blade. Best regards, Ed

Hi Geraint, Thanks for your reply. It’s not an easy task to read the signature. I was happy about the fact that I could read most of it. So, it could be a famous name and if, so it is probably gimei. The cost for sending it to Shinsa is more than the cost of the tanto. Thanks for the link. Regards, Ed

Hi Ken, I’m not the kind of warrior type of guy. Not even a keyboard warrior Simplicity if the key to success. I will try to find some videos about iaijutsu. Sounds interesting. Best regards, Ed

John and Ray, Thanks to both for your help. It’s highly appreciated! So, it is Bishu Osafune ju Nagachogi. Is it possible to find more about the smith without a date? The mei of the tanto only contains only a signature. Best regards, Ed

Jean, thanks for clarifying! Best regards, Ed

Hi to all, I try to read this mei. Hard to read but I think I see Bishu Osafune Ju Naga??? Can someone please confirm this and fill in the missing part. Thanks in advance! Best regards, Ed

Hi Denis and Jean, Thanks for the explanation! Is it save to say that the kashezuno/kaeshizuni or soritsuno only makes sense when both swords (katana and wakizashi) were worn? Regards, Ed

Hi Geraint, Thank you very much! I only have a few pictures of this sword. Most pictures I had taken were terrible. The weather in the Netherlands is bad. No sunlight so I had to use a flash. Almost impossible to take a picture of the blade. Best regards, Ed

Just a beginner’s question. I have a wakizashi and the saya has an unusual addon. It’s positioned approximately 15 cm above the kojiri (1/3 of the total length of the saya). I think it’s used for securing the saya. What is the Japanese name and the purpose of it? Thanks in advance. Best Regards, Ed

Hi Neil, Very unusual configuration. Never seen one before. I like it a lot! Thanks for sharing. Best regards, Ed

Hi Stephen, I'm indeed a lucky man. It's a real joy to watch this swords next to each other. You're right about the brown colored shark skin. It is very attractive. Best regards, Ed

Thanks for all the positive feedback! Best regards, Ed

And some photos with the other Kai Gunto. Regards, Ed

As promised some higher quality pictures. Regards, Ed

Hi James, When putting the images next to each other it’s a pretty good match. Only the angle of the to pictures is slightly different. Hope this helps. Regards, Ed

Thanks Paul for the kind words. I will try to catch the beauty of the sword in some good pictures. In real it such a nice piece. Regards, Ed

This blade is made of some stainless steel, the structure of the steel is totally different when compared to a traditional made sword. I was a confused by the black spots and the absence of a stamp. As Bruce already mentioned “prior to 1940, the compliance with the requirement for stamps was a bit spotty”. Steve, thanks for mentioning that your blade had similar spots! I will post better quality pictures soon. I was too excited and could not wait to share this find. So, I used my phone for taking pictures. Thanks for all the replies! Regards, Ed

Hi Neil, I'm not sure if the blade is made of stainless steel. It looks stainless but I can't explain the black stains. My other Kai gunto is made of stainless steel and doesn't show the black stains. Regards, Ed

I will do a search. Thanks for your reply Stephen. Regards, Ed

Hi Bruce, there is indeed no navy arsenal stamp. I don't know if it is gendaito. Don't know how to determine. Best regards, Ed

and some more pictures. Best regards, Ed

Hi to all, Today, I have bought my second Kai Gunto sword. Marked Tenshozan tanrenjo saku, showa 15 nen 11 gatsu kichi (1940 November, a lucky day). It's in perfect condiction. Just to share my excitement. Here are the pictures. Hope you all like it. Feel free to comment. Best regards, Ed

Hi Stephen, that is a very nice Tsuba. What are the dimensions? Best regards, Ed

I’m with Peter and Chris. The blade does look much older. The two mekugi-ani doesn’t make sense when this piece is a ww2 example. Regards, Ed