robinalexander

GIven the evolution of this topic and the interest shown... I have found Markus Sesko's book 'Tameshigiri - The History and Development of Japanese Sword Testing' a very interesting read so far. The (reasonably priced) publication has been mentioned on other threads and there are probably a thousand books on the subject out there but...just for what its worth Rob

Very interesting Bruce thanks for that detailed information. Enlightened yet again. Once again proves that everything you think you see the first time, may not be quite right

Three 'tassels' from the 'Liveauctioneers' (Price Results) website. 2 pics of each...long shot and then a close up. Clearly not your regulated IJA/IJN tassels but interesting all the same. The first two (red and brown) look very much like the current products coming out if China but its hard to discount the wear on that red one. Maybe from a Jitte or even bugle?... who knows.

No probs @Stegel. 759. Japanese Sho-Shinto-Shirasaya type sword w/original scabbard and a sarasada | eBay Rob

I came across this on Ebay-Netherlands and thought it might be worth posting. A small engraving on the nakago. The following is copied from the items description...... "The image/symbol on the tang is ENGRAVED and NOT stamped into the metal. I am told that the figure engraved into the Tang is one of the seven gods of Japan. I am told it is the "Happy Buddah" and I've also been told it is of the god "Daikoku", or "Daikokuten", one of the seven Gods of good luck/fortune-for agriculture, farmers, and wealth. I have shown this blade to several acknowledged "experts"-all of whom want the blade but none of whom would/could tell me "specifics." " Never seen anything like that myself and thought it may be better under this thread than a new one....but relocate if you wish. For interest @Bruce Pennington Rob

Folks ...... please open another thread on 'One Upmanship' and leave legitimate posts such as this alone.

Thanks Bruce that is fantastic. Great record keeping skills. Nice to have them grouped this way. Impressive! Rob

Thanks John, That is a real shame about the pictures but it is good to be able to confirm that and capture members memories before they start to disappear (memories that is ). Rob

I find this quite interesting Bruce @Bruce Pennington In the 2010/11 (Mantetsu Wak) thread, Christian Chaffee said he had one in hand (21.5 inches) but despite requests from members for pics, there are none on the NMB. He did say he posted them however, they did not appear and no one followed-up on the 'missing' pictures. I find it quite incredible that a person who was asking NMB members for a sale price on a Mantetsu Wak so he could post it on Ebay, would not post pictures on the NMB as part of that query. In 2017 'Ed' also had one in hand (21 inch nagasa) and posted pics of a nakago (Mantetsu Wak) and later evidently posted further pics (of what I'm not sure) and some members obviously saw those pics but 'Ed' then quite strangely removed the link to those pictures and stated " BTW: I removed the link, as I only intended for the few people here following this thread to see it." Now what sort of a reason is that for removing a link to pics of a very rare Mantetsu Wak - why would anyone do that??? Are there one, two or three Mantetsu Wak's out there....who knows. If they are out there then methinks they are all a little camera shy! Why are there no pictures (apart from a nakago) of something as important and rare as this? Bruce I thought he said 21 inches but either way this reminds of another article I read in regard the the Lochness monster...... a couple of eye witnesses from Scotland after seeing the Lochness monster also stated that the creature had a large body about 4 foot high and 25 feet long with a long narrow neck slightly thicker than an elephants trunk and as long as the width of the road (10-12 foot) ......but guess what, no pics of that either. I am not saying Mantetsu Wakazashi's don't exist but I have never seen one and can't locate any picture of one if anyone does have clear, full and complete pictures of a Mantetsu Wakizishi then I am sure NMB members would be quite interested and this would be a great place to post them for, as you quite rightly say, posterity. Rob

Dave, Have attached a pic each of the four 'sides' of nakago and I dont think there has been any brazen braising going on here. Good thought though. I would rather know about something like that than thinking I had something that really, wasn't!

Dave @Dave R will post some pics tonight on that 'metal addition' to nakago and possibility of tang 'replacement'. It doesn't look like it unless the smith had the skill of neurosurgeon. I was wrong about one thing though. The 'metal addition' is not really aligned to be under either seppa but rather, is positioned to align with a tsuba's nakago-ana. Will show that as well. Will get back to you. Rob

And another 2010 thread re Mantetsu Wakizashi that very mysteriously seemed to be lacking pictures.

Hi John I did a little research and thought I would link the thread you refer to for posterity. I think this might be the thread you refer to but, on a quick scan of the info, it doesn't appear that 'Ed' ever showed pictures of it (for one reason or another ) Some very experienced members seemed sceptical at the time. If there is another thread just let me know and I will continue research so we can capture it on this thread. Rob

I will also add a pic of the small metal (brass?) build-up that has been 'fixed' to the nakago. I suspect this was done in order to take-up slack between the blade and seppa because it is too far back to be an adjustment for a tsuba....but I would be happy to receive any thoughts on that

I have been asked by a fellow member (not Dave) who has an interest in 'civilian' tsuba, to post some clearer pics.

Michael, thank you for sharing your experience it is so good to read this first hand account and what may, or may not, be a Showa-To Wakizashi. It is appreciated. I would like a dollar for every time a Togishi reshaped a kissaki due to chipping etc. To my mind it's only logical that that same thinking would apply to rectifying more severe damage by shortening a blade to either, a short katana or even wakizashi length, if it was thought to be operationally (of even financially?) necessary. Dave, I think Chris Bowen's post @cabowenis absolutely spot on. Thanks for including. Not sure about logical in marrying up the picture with the actual wording in the caption...i have to admit I am a little lost with that one. BUT.....Just to bring the thread back on track the real question for me is how many WW2 Waks were made?.... or better...still exist? Again, if you have one, then just wak it up. Rob

I like the music.

Dave it was actually a question rather than 'suggestion'. Just an open question that came to me when I saw your first Wakizashi picture (Re: Shawn McDonald's post). The blade just appeared so straight that I wondered about possible shortening therefore leaving all nakago markings untouched (Showato in this case). You have ably answered that query, thank you. The link on flaws is very good tks also for that. Rob

Thanks Dave, I will read that thread but a quick question in the mean time. Would a katana ever be shortened from the kissaki end due to a fatal flaw or breakage (therefore retaining mei etc) or would that never be done? Probably a stupid question. Rob

Nice one Dave....is it possible that the first example (above) has been shortened (from katana length). From my limited experience, it seems to be a very straight blade for a Wakizashi? Rob

Thanks Bruce...so the discussion on the mounts/fittings will go on for some time I imagine. Its a great topic to explore and see other's ideas. In regard to the rarity of Showa stamped Waks, it does seem like 1:100 could be an extremely conservative estimation and it may be that they may be much more 'unique'. There hasn't been any 'flood' of showa waks onto this thread and I accept that that could be for any number of good reasons but .... seeing I have one , I will dream a little and treasure my quite rare piece of history Its getting rarer and rarer by the moment Rob

Thanks again David..very nice koshira. Personally.... no cutting practice for me. Similarly, no "swings around the man cave" with anything (except the little lady 😊) Rob

Thanks for your comment David, I understand what Chris is saying but tend to agree that the shortage of materials, late war, necessitated the call for civilian swords for active service. I'm just not clear as to why a Seki gunto smith would have made, or had a commission for, a Wakazashi blade sometime between 1935-1945 only to have had it mounted in civilian Koshirae to take to war. (excepting the combat cover of course). Interesting that the 'Bamboo Leaf' design tsuba is not common......I would like tk think it is a genuine period piece rather than a later modern addition. To return to the rarity, or not, of WW2 produced Wakizashi's ....no advance on that question at this point. Rob

Final pics....

Couple more...