16k

Put a heavy cloth on the guard and tap gently on each side with a wooden or rubber hammer. It should come off.

when you see this sword, you have to wonder why Takeda has such a mediocre reputation. This sword is gorgeous.

If I were to take a guess (I’m no expert or metallurgist), I’d say those kind of Hamon both have advantages and disadvantages. The Hamon might be more brittle, but at the saMe time, it is so large that it allows for repolishing and removing the dents easily. And on the plus side, the numerous ashi probably provide release area for the tension the blade might suffer. Perhaps it only disappeared because of the simple evolution in the swordsmiths understanding of metal strength and weakness.

It’s not a Tsuba. And the carving is poor. No, seriously, not a Tsuba but great carving and great theme. I’m not into Tsuba, but I like that very much.

Can’t say much without seeing the whole blade, but with a Kyu Gunto, the blade could be industrial.

That is very true!

Yes, I think he was. I think this type of Hamon was abandoned because the hardened area was so large it was more brittle than, say, hoso Suguha.

No words... just look and weep for not being able to afford it... https://www.touken-matsumoto.jp/eng/product_details_e.php?prod_no=KA-0278

I agree with Bruce, however, that one comes with the tassel and a same saya, so I’d say a little more, like $1800

The books you need are those. They are expensive but the best resource material available. the first one has more written information but some are a bit dated and it is in black and white: https://www.japaneseswordbooksandtsuba.com/store/books/b259-Japanese-military-and-civil-swords-and-dirks the second one has less information about blades but is better for mountings as it’s all in color: https://www.japaneseswordbooksandtsuba.com/store/books/b510-swords-imperial-Japan-1868-–-1945-cyclopedia-edition I couldn’t tell you which is best as both complete each other. If you had to begin with just one, get the second one. It is more graphic and less expensive, but really, it’s a tie for quality. Gray is one of us and his prices are often the best around.

So that’s almost $900. Save until you have about £1000/1200 and you can get a very nice shin gunto in almost pristine condition. That’s what I would do. The only thing is, for that price, you’re unlikely to find many in Europe, so you need to figure in the price for the custom fees (about 20/25%) and shipping (something around $90). Besides, the international post being the way it is at the moment, it’s worth waiting a few months until things get back to normal.

Steve, I would pass on that one and keep a close look in the sale section. This sword isn’t really a great example. You can find much better at a similar price, even in Europe. This site is in Europe and often offers consignment gunto. The prices vary a lot but at least, no custom fees for Euro guys. https://www.japanszwaard.nl/uk/intro.html also, what is your budget? Bruce is selling an awesome Mantetsu at the moment.

Hi Paul, and welcome. I think your sword might be a Sword that is traditionally made but more pics of the blade would be useful, as well as more pics of all the mountings to make a reasonable opinion. This seems to be a nice sword and if worthwhile, what I see can definitely be restored, but, of course, at a cost. oh, and DO NOT DO ANYTHING BY YOURSELF,

You have a type 97 kai gunto made for the navy. The blade is real. Others will give you the translation. It’s a genuine sword but we need to see more of the blade to give more details. Welcome Alexander.

While I do agree about nihontō in general, if our friend is looking for a WW2 sword, this wouldn’t be my first choice. I’d go for Japanese Military Swords and Daggers by Fuller and Gregory or Swords of Imperial Japan by Dawson. Those are the WW2 collectors bible books.

The photos are okay but leave a lot of mysteries. I believe the blade is real but is there a stamp or not? Would make the difference between a traditionally made blade or not. I’ll leave others give you the name of the swordsmiths. what bothers me are some of the fittings. They look like an assortment of several types. By the way, your sword is a type 98 and I wonder whether it is not rather a civilian sword refitted for army service. Actually it’s more than likely. By the way, welcome!

Yeah, I have three if not more parcels on the way from the USA. Probably taking a row boat to get there...

Hi Michalku, and welcome. I think this sword isn’t traditionally made and is a medium grade Showato. There seems to be a stamp on the nakago. The push button may have been replaced but not necessarily. Overall, it looks like an okay Showato and real though I can’t tell you whether the signature is real (yet, it probably is). Now, the price. I think it is too expensive. Of course, WW2 swords in Europe aren’t as easy to find as in the US, and that’s something to take into consideration. I think the price should be around $ 1200 for this sword, not much more, maybe less. To that, you would have to add some 25% custom fees plus shipping ($ 90 approximately), so the choice is yours in the end . buying from Europe will help you avoid custom issues, though. Finally, but I don’t think it is the case here, be careful, because there are excellent fakes made in Poland! By the way, here’s one for sale on this board. Roughly the same quality: http://www.militaria.co.za/nmb/topic/31146-seki-gunto-fukumoto-kanemune-80000/

Clearly, Barry, I’m with you there. I wouldn’t buy without asking a picture of the tang, I should have clarified that. The Tsuba looks real and the blade is, at best, a Gendaito, at worst, a Komonjo, which, in the end makes a good cutting weapon. As for the mountings, well, if the blade is good, it’s worth having a new tsuka made and if it’s a Komonjo, this type of mounting is serviceable as a iaito I guess.

Christian, First, welcome among us. If it were me, I know I’d go for: https://www.ebay.com/itm/HUGE-76-5cm-BEAUTIFUL-TRADITIONALLY-FORGED-Japanese-SIGNED-SAMURAI-SWORD-KATANA/324038461863 I don't know what it is either but it is traditional and I have a feeling it might indeed be a very good surprise. Actually, if I had the money, right now, I might have bought it. However, what are you looking for? As the others have said, you seem to react in function of your budget, not of your needs or what attracts you. If you want a sword to do some cutting, then get a Chinese repro made of 1060 to 1090 steel and you’ll get bangs for you bucks. they are made for this, will cost you a fraction and some of them actually look very good. If you want the real deal, don’t plan to use the, tō do some cutting. First, they are old and might not be in condition (you don’t ask your grandpa to outrun Hussein Bolt) and then, among collectors, it’s almost considered a crime to risk harming or scratching a venerable blade. You break it, a blade is lost, you scratch it, it needs a new polish, which removes metal which when repeated over the centuries kill a sword too. Then you seem to oscillate between a wakizashi and a katana. So what the others say is right: save money, read books, buy here where good swords are often offered at great prices, but don’t make a hasty choice.

And don’t worry about me Hamish, I’m not the kind that gets angry or anything about such trifle. I guess everyone is entitled about their opinion. Some voice it strongly others less but it doesn’t matter. Besides, you are right, I’m probably very uneducated compared to you so no offense taken. Nevertheless, I don’t see what’s wrong with talking about this item, whatever it is. It is obviously intriguing enough to warrant so much discussion. I too believe, like Chris, it’s a tourist piece, the WW2 equivalent of those Meiji bone handled tanto. So if if I’m wrong and you’re right, what’s the deal, it was still an interesting discussion. Take care and be sure there’s no ill feelings, at least from my part!

So what? Maybe it’s a tourist trinket, maybe it’s a genuine never recorded item, maybe it’s a bubba job, who cares? Thing is still better looking than most repro junk around and not uninteresting since it challenges our knowledge.

Amazing piece!

Well, Chris, I’d gladly pay $47 to get one. It’s always a pleasure to see a friend"s collection.

That is beautiful Chris! Did you just print one? If not, you have a buyer!