PNSSHOGUN

Really nice package you found there, the belt and box do make a nice display piece. Rare to come across an original presentation box.

Do you know what era it came from? This is definitely the last polish it will ever take. edit: muromachi is very vague but that seems ok considering the number of polishes and suriage.

I think the confusion comes from the term "Railway Steel" which has been used and misinterpreted over the years to be railway tracks. I know in the early days of Paul Chen swords they used this railway steel and most people thought it was literally old railway tracks. Manchurian railway whispers if you will!

I doubt it, from all we seem to know Mantetsu swords were all made in the same way. Beyond cutting one in sections or new information we simply don't know if there was a real difference. This example from ohmura states the different signatures are just that, different signatures used for different times of production. http://ohmura-study.net/913.html

This lovely story about gimei and Admiral Yamamotos sword still makes me smile. http://www.nihontocraft.com/Yamamoto_NBTHK.html

Sorry I should've clarified that Emperor & The Wolf is a book. https://www.amazon.com/Emperor-Wolf-Kurosawa-Toshiro-Mifune/dp/0571211526

I wouldn't be so fast sell them all if your friend specifically willed them to you. Best of luck.

I highly recommend "The Emperor & The Wolf" if you want to learn more about Mifune and Kurosawa.

That's the trick with these Kamon, many families use or are associated with a single Kamon. Fascinating business, hope to see some more photos of that Kyu Gunto!

Take a browse through this list: https://doyouknowjapan.com/symbols/ Also please sign your posts with your first name as per forum rules.

If you can get one of these cheap for exactly what it is then I see no issue, but we need to make sure that collectors are aware the mounts are most likely of post war assembly.

Even though it is wartime it's still of interest. Alot of Kai Gunto are regarded as Showato due to them being made with various stainless steel elements for increased resistance against corrosion. I didn't see any arsenal stamps on the tang so you may have gotten lucky with a Gendaito, but I wouldn't keep all my fingers and toes crossed.

I don't see what any of these arguments have in relation to collecting or proper togishi. You don't need to explain your justifications as to why you think a high level service should be available for pennies on the dollar or why us, as a forum dedicated to the proper collecting and care of Japanese swords, would get irritated at someone asking us to recommend someone to do the exact opposite. If you have no interest or respect for what we are trying to achieve here I'm not sure why you are registered as a member.

All four had the same pictures as well. At best low grade martial arts swords possibly from Japan.

Debatable, towards the end of the war signatures and stamps fell by the wayside in some factories, it seems. Factory made blades have telltale features which must be taken into consideration if no stamps or signatures are present.

I'm referring to the many martial arts grade shinsakuto out there, not fine examples worthy of sending to Japan!

Not so sure really, reminds me of Mitchells Mausers a little....

The Kunisuke could be of interest, matches 2nd generation signature. In fine Kyu Gunto mounts with family Kamon. Aoi art listing of exceptional example: https://www.aoijapan.com/katana-kawachi-kami-kunisuke-2nd-generation And a similar example to RIA item: https://www.aoijapan.com/wakizashi-kawachi-kami-kunisuke-2nd-generation-4 If it goes below maximum estimation not a bad catch.

May as well do it yourself, at least you won't spend alot on ruining your sword! Shinsakuto are usually shipped with a martial arts polish for a reason. You simply can't get a good "cheap" polish, I'm afraid.

Interesting read, post war frankensteins it seems. Still using wartime manufactured blades though, good candidates for Tameshi. I feel a little less regret I passed on one for $750 now.

No mystery here, it's a Kai Gunto!

Thanks for the replies all, I have had a few private offers and am in contact with Doug. I am also red with anger at some of these lovely little anecdotes you all seem to have about Generals Grade swords for pennies on the dollar! Generals Grade often have the highest quality fittings and finish, hard to tell sometimes but the differences are there. Family Kamon, gold plating, high grade samegawa and ito. Not uncommon to find them with Mantetsu blades either.

Yes, most Uda school examples I have seen after early Kunimitsu have coarse hada, nothing to be concerned about.

Early Shinto is my guess.

Hello all, looking for Generals Grade shin gunto, ideally with Tassel. Background and provenance even better. Best regards John