robinalexander

Just adding to the above with my two bobs worth Troy.....in summary, I don't like the look of the following the kabutogane Ito (wrap) the 'Orphan Annie' seppa the Ashi the mei is terribly cut IMO (done yesterday) blade and habaki could be genuine (?) but even if they are, they are not in great shape and you have to look at the rest of it for a long time. When you get a little more knowledge under your belt you may regret keeping it. Go for a refund and put it toward something that really is wholly genuine (even if its in poor condition)

Hi Fred, Just my opinion, but I don't think you will regret not buying this. The poor (flat) quality of the ashi ....same as the kabutogane and fuchi. Looks like a Chinese knock off pretending to be a Type 97 Kai Gunto. Interesting 'patina' on the samegawa but I suppose that can be done. The tsuba and dai seppa also look naval style but pics aren't too clear. In any event, it wouldn't get my money (but I have been wrong in the past ... a few times ) Would be good to see the nakago and blade if the opportunity ever arose. That should shed more light on it.

Hi Nazar, I'm more of a timber guy (no offence meant) but I love your design/engineering on this Katanakake.

Hi Peter...good pics. FYI we always post mei with the end of the tang at bottom of pic...just easier for those translating (they get a lot of requests)

well apparently Piers, @Bugyotsuji it came from the 'old englsh' fēowertīene niht meaning fourteen nights.

Ditto with the Camelia

Credit to you....it was your original thought As for the segway Thai film () ....no idea where that came from but I am definitely going to check that out. Edit...they both look very interesting tks

I will be interested to hear your comment on those Piers @Bugyotsuji

and the second script came up as Thai .......

i have no idea about this but I put the following part of the non-Japanese script into a google search and it came up with the following in Burmese .... maybe something or maybe nothing.

Wow Tony it's usually the other way around. I'm sure that one day the planets will align for you.

Looks like a nice genuine example to me Ron. These are certainly not Nihonto but they are a piece of history. This last pattern is less common than earlier patterns and therefore desirable among collectors to 'complete' their collections of Type 95's A little more info here. http://ohmura-study.net/957.html

I guess your talking about the nakago ..... try a course piece of cotton cloth and a little oil ... rub it hard and touch up every few months....it will stop the red rust and will not change the nature of the patina but Autosol will (in the negative).

Hi Ron, I'm with Hamish....no place in my collection for this ..blade or otherwise (and I'm very forgiving). also ..... if you can't remove the tsuka 'without damaging it' .. then unfortunately there is even less chance of ever getting a valued opinion on the blade itself.

A party?

For posterity .....

Here is a grab from Tokyo Customs (hopefully not AI rubbish) .... https://www.customs.go.jp/tokyo/english/yuubin/12touken_n.htm

Hello Ricky, Good on you for asking before 'restoring' As mentioned, I also believe in cleaning of dirt/grease but not patina. IMO there is nothing worse then seeing something genuine like yours that has been polished and buffed so much it looks more like a repro than something that's 'been there'. Having said that, these late war 95's are not suppose to be silver. The previous post on this thread will give you a good idea of the real finish/colour. These are a nice piece of history for sure. Sooo personally, I would be looking at removing the silver paint from the tsuka (handle). I would try Acetone using cotton buds on the grooves and a flattish piece of material etc on the 'raised' sections. As always, try it first on an inconspicuous section (if u can find one) and don't overdo the quantity of Acetone. Time and elbow grease often gives a better result. Oil later. N.B ....THERE IS ALSO MERIT IN CONSULTING SOMEONE IN THE FURNITURE RESTORATION BUSINESS FIRST. I don't know if the Saya (scabbard) has been painted...bit hard to see but if it has, I would have to do something about that too. Again, flat material, even strokes with not to much Acetone....if you go too hard you will remove silver plus any original coat that is under there. Hold off and have a think about this part of 'restoration ' and maybe others will chime in on this particular subject. The blade on Type 95's is just steel and, unlike traditionally made blades (Nihonto) yours doesn't require the same special attention. So clean it up a little and lightly oil but please don't buff it. Shine is ok but buffed blades look ridiculous. Again this is not Nihonto so you will never get that mirror finish and IMO 95's don't need it. The remains of the NCO leather knot is certainly looks genuine ...by the look of it, you may loose it if you try to remove...hard to see condition from photos. If it brittle, I'd leave it where it is....maybe just leather dressing applied gently and sparingly with cotton buds. Finally, not everyone is going to agree with the above so keep asking. Good luck and keep us informed. Rob

Mike, also have a look at the NMB main page....go to Nihonto Info and then Research.... lots of good starters there including Nihonto Kanji Pages and Markus Sesko's (very good) Nihonto Compendium. Better than the game called 'Concentration'

TJ I also like your simple and straight forward approach ...don't aim too high, get something modest in hand and start your research and appreciation from there. Just like your first fishing rod etc. Crawl before you walk sort of thing. Whether a Katana or Wakizashi, just make sure you actually like .... not just 'a good buy'. Plenty of help here.... just keep asking (and read a little too )

Yes Burt, that is a good thing to have on your sword. It's a nice example of genuine stingray skin (samegawa) and having larger nodules around the top of the tsuka (more the better) again shows that these are better than average mounts. Nice package Love your enthusiasm. .

Signed Old Japanese Wakizashi – Bizen no Kuni Osafune Sukesada – Late Muromachi Period An original old Japanese leaf is offered for sale, a wakizashi signed by a member of the renowned Sukesada school, active in the province of Bizen (Japan) during the fifteenth–sixteenth centuries. The inscription on the nakago (spike) reads: 備前国長船祐定 – "Bizen no Kuni Osafune Sukesada". Characteristics: • Blade length (without herringbone): 46 cm • Blade height: 3 cm • Thickness: 7 mm • Total length (with herringbone): 58.5 cm • Condition: frameless, with surface rust and visible nicks, especially on the edge and tip. • There are no visible structural cracks. Requires restoration (Polish, Japanese) if you want to add value. Historical Value: The firm corresponds to one of the most active and productive lines of Japanese swordsmiths of the late Muromachi/early Momoyama period (ca. 1550–1600). This type of blade is highly sought after by collectors of nihonto and authentic samurai pieces. Ideal for collectors, restorers or those looking for an original signed sheet to mount. Price: USD 650 Hand delivery or shipping available. Wakizashi signed in Old Japanese – Bizen no Kuni Osafune Sukesada – Late Muromachi Period An ancient original Japanese leaf is offered for sale, a wakizashi signed by a member of the renowned Sukesada school, active in the province of Bizen (Japan) during the fifteenth-sixteenth centuries. The inscription on the nakago (spike) reads: 備前国長船祐定 – "Bizen no Kuni Osafune Sukesada". Characteristics: • Blade length (without pick): 46 cm • Blade height: 3 cm • Thickness: 7 mm • Total length (with pick): 58.5 cm • Condition: frameless, with surface rust and visible notches, especially on the edge and tip. There are no visible structural cracks. It requires restoration (Japanese polishing) to increase its value. Historical value: The firm corresponds to one of the most active and productive lines of Japanese swordsmen of the late Muromachi and early Momoyama periods (ca. 1550-1600). This type of blade is highly coveted by collectors of nihonto and authentic samurai pieces. Ideal for collectors, restorers or those looking for an original signed print to assemble. Price: USD 650

Maybe its 'oiled' but just kept in 'as found' condition which would be ok by me. According to AI, text reads..... The text on the image describes a Japanese officer's sabre (Shin Gunto) and scabbard, which was given to Mrs. Gautier by the British military mission in memory of her husband, Henri Gautier, a resistance fighter who was tortured and executed by the Japanese. The item was donated by Mrs. Gautier and has the inventory numbers N2990 and N2990.1.

Dear B. Keep working with Jean Collin's idea...it will work. Its the safest and may I say, the easiest. Just adjust the length and fashion a hook from the end to suit. If you have a problem with it, then give it to a capable someone (no offence meant) to have a gentle go.