robinalexander

Hi Justin, At a basic level, leather over wood just means the Gunto was fitted with a combat cover which I believe was required by Regulation (if the saya was not regulation metal). Many sword did not have a chuso button particularly those that were brought in from families or donated to officers. The blade is held in place by the pressure between the habaki and the wooden throat of the saya. Usually made for each other very common with these types of blades and also with Type 97 IJA mounts. The leather retaining clip was simply to ensure the blade did not fly out when it was not supposed to. Rob

Tks mate...Part 1 and 2 are going. Pls pass on my (and probably others) appreciation to your patient wife ... the silent support behind the author

@mecox Just fantastic Mal ... gosh there is some work and great information in these. Information aside, I dont know who does your type/formatting but what a great job.... congratulations on that aspect as well. It's coming to Victoria with me for the School hols - Grandkids minding duty (I will find time) Rob

Extraordinary Piers. The question came to mind, why would someone use this rarer 'language' if very few would ever read it? Particularly if it does happen to be a poem? Rob

Is this it Bruce ? @Bruce Pennington

Got to say that that collection looks very familiar to me. Sure some cringe moments but nice to view and would just love to work my way through that lot.

Hi Jason @Newsword1 , this is the possible Mon (crest) John was referring to.

Very interesting thanks Thomas.

Tks Brian...enlightened yet again.

Bruce @Bruce Pennington I'm a bit confused here. What's going on with the 'kanji' on the blade? Typically, non-Japanese? Other aspects worry me too.

I love to know what TEC stood for but it does appear that the Tomita Electric Company started in 1952 from a parent company (1950).

A few truths there Hamish.

Not your job Brian ... don't get hung up over such decisions ...sounds like your over personalising. Step back. Good...then, if you wish, advise him of the thread and invite him to 'contribute' ... if he is as you say, he will surely add something to the matters raised. Even if he chooses to take it up directly with the 'complainants' ...he does of course have right of reply. If he doesn't respond to either the thread or the OP then that is his choice. Dont fret, stay neutral....your in control. Just my opinion

Hello Deen....I agree with John...Chinese copy.

Thats correct no response to my three emails...unknown if they were read or not.

@Brian All has been resolved. The member just received the sword and I understand he is very happy with it. What is not so good is, as previously mentioned, for whatever reason Imazu-san is not a good communicator and as I understand it there has still been no contact between him and the recipient. So the message is, that Giheiya is a bona-fide seller and to my knowledge has never reneged on purchases made but ....just don't expect too many (if any) responses to correspondence and be very very patient. The end.

That's a very nice example Brittany, look after it. It is now worth a lot more than it was when you acquired it.

Hmmmmm ...nothing much to like about that Ishizuke doesn't look genuine WW2 to me. But is that really a brass tip on the bottom of the saya? (Copper 95 style) ?

Brian try Mark Davies at Japanese Warriors UK ...usually lots of bits and pieces

Brian...I hope he hasnr been scammed. I am happy to contact Imazu-san and try a get some sort of info/update. If your contact is agreeable, PM me all relevant details and I will give it a go. No promises but this has me intrigued..... up to you. Rob

Hello 'B' welcome , just need to remind you of Forum rules (from Home page under new members) .... Please note that we require all posts to be signed with at least a real first name. A name and initial makes it even easier. There are 2 ways to do this. Either remember to sign each of your posts with a name, or do what most do. Go into your profile, and edit your signature so that your name is automatically added to every post.

Don't wish to keep this going but I just received an email from Imazu-san ........ Dear Valued Customer, I sincerely apologize for the inconvenience caused by my poor health. Thanks to you, I am now feeling much better. We will resume normal business operations from tomorrow. We will also resume shipments to overseas customers, which have been delayed. We deeply apologize for any concern and inconvenience caused, and we ask for your understanding and forgiveness. We look forward to your continued support of Giheya. Sincerely, Imazu Atsuogi Hiraya

George everything I can see in the bad pics suggests it is WW2 sword. The tassel does look original and well used as does the Ito. The chuso buttons are often replaced as they are easily broken by the uninitiated. That replacement could be wartime or post. Pierced tsuba and central chuso hole on fuchi are typical signs of Type 94 but Kabuto-gane maybe not...but that's nothing. As for the blade ? .... need better pics, particularly of nakago and kissaki.

Communication may not be a strong point for reason(s) unknown but that aside, a pancake always has two sides.

Hope it all works out HB