robinalexander

Hi Andrew, The Kai Gunto looks good from the little that's shown. Sword aside, I am no expert re translation or surrender tags for that matter.... I have only one but i have seen many. I also know what I would believe and buy and this 'surrender tag' is not it. To be honest I would be making observations and asking lots of questions of the seller. IMO this tag is just not >80 years old. The age of the material (Calico?) is so wrong as is the new twine and fresh texta kanji. Maybe it's a copy of the original that fell apart or was lost? But, considering the above and with the anomaly of the rank IJN vs IJA, I would question both the authenticity of the 'tag' and any supposed relationship with the sword. For me, what ever is written on the tag is academic. Don't mean to be negative ....just my opinion. All the best. Rob

Calabrese (Hokke) above, hit the nail on the head.

It's because we're down under Clive

Looks nice to my eyes Yonie, looking forward to more clear pictures.

Copyright protects the interests of the very people who bring you such valuable information. Let your conscience your guide.

Sri Forrest, I fully agree with Hamish's 'appraisal'

thanks Zack...appreciate your openness and honesty. My unsolicited advice? If your friend has asked you to sell it then do everything possible to make contact with the person who bought the tsuka etc and do a deal (this seems to be the universal term these days ) As I see it, what you are selling now is really not worth much. A collector won't be interested unless they have all the missing parts (UNLIKELY) and even then, its mismatched. A sword enthusiast is better buying something recently made and cheap, at least the bits would have been made together and it will cut (unlike a Type 95 blade). The person who bought the tsuka etc would be crazy not to pay a good price for the matching blade etc given they can put it all back together (or find someone who can/NMB will help there) and it will be worth a squillion more than it is now in two houses with two different people. and....you would be doing the collecting world a big favour! Rob

@CrosshairOmega Hello Zack, the OP and following member comments certainly are of interest to many on this site. Probably because we all have fundamental interest in the continuing care and preservation of all Japanese swords. And for me and many others Type 95's hold a special place. Clearly, you are free to advertise as you have, and of course you are under no obligation to provide further information or comment. That's up to you, but I for one would really like to know what happened to this sword in its recent history in the context of the above. Every pancake has two sides. Regards Rob

Masa-san is ok

Take this opportunity to thank those people [Bruce, Marcin, John C and Brian & so many others] who freely and tirelessly give their time and expertise to assist others. I know you don't do it for the recognition or the thanks but sometimes and quick 'thanks' or even acknowledgment is nice.

I'm not really holding my breath Lex. Remove the Tsuka if you can and post a couple of pics of the nakago (under the handle). First remove the little Mekugi (peg) ...just ask if you need help.

Adam. despite the mismatched numbers (not uncommon its a very nice example.

Too many points for me to list right now (big day ahead).....just search nmb website for 'fake 95'. have a squiz at this entire thread ...

Ouch Charles but welcome anyway. Sri to be bringer of bad tidings but it's a nasty fake..very common and more recently made in China. You can consider it 'identified'. Copy of a Type 95 IJA NCO sword. Rob

Wow ...looks like a very nice example Chris, thanks. I can never understand why people have to 'polish' the saya throat to see the number a little better....thus number for instance would have been perfectly readable without the extra 'work'.

This might help Todd...... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oFT5OMQr2vw

Hi Ben, before you do anything, have a squiz at this. http://japaneseswordindex.com/care.htm Its important if you have never handled one before.

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Yes that fits....thankyou Koichi-san.

Hello, just came across this kanji on a saya and would appreciate a translation if possible.. my research brain is not good tonight.

Well .... some really good ideas there Brett .... while others may be taking the Gold Member thingo to a whole new level, that may get really complicated. But I love the way you think

I have written to Kavanagh Auctions of Montreal CA .. hopefully they will do something about their listing so as to avoid grief for all concerned! Wwii Japanese Imperial Naval Katana Presentation Sword Auction Titled .......WWII Japanese Imperial Naval Katana Presentation Sword Description Naval Japanese imperial katana, note the anchor and waves pattern engraved on both sides of the blade, so probably a presentation sword or gift for an officer, aluminum grip which imitates the wooden tsuka with silk-cord wrapping, so a late war production (42-45). The numbers 198631 can be seen on the Habaki. Overall length is 39 inches, with a 30.5 inches blade. Heavy and very tight sword, very nice patina. No saya or scabbard.

I didn't know Brian personally, but I had warm regard and I felt a connection, with Winchester. He often popped into my posts with an emoji and he was always understanding and encouraging.....never changed. Maybe (selfishly), he fitted my narrative, I don't know, but for someone I have never met or messaged, I just felt a connection.....he was a real gentleman. Thankyou Sarah for sharing this....thinking of you and Brian's extended family. We will miss him. Rob

Steve, I have made leather seppa ...... cut as perfectly as possible, oiled and then squash the crap out of it overnight in a vice before final trim. They come out quit hard/stiff. BUT i have generally only done that when replacing ' leather for leather' and I would never go to the multiple thicknesses you have. Bruce is quite correct, it will keep it tight but only until until you locate the correct sized seppa for both sides of the tsuba and matching that particular model. 10 points for your efforts so far, but it really doesn't do the sword any justice at the moment. Rob