David Flynn

John, the SNLF were navy, so they didn't have Colonels.

Nambokucho, Mino Shizu, Kaneuji.

Hi Robert, does it include Oz?

I have to concur with Neil. That sword definitely appears to have an amateur clean up. Going by the colour, it looks like acid was used. I don't believe the sword is ruined. Depending on your budget, you could consider having it assessed by Woody Hall.

Japanese swords with a Star Stamp, are true Gendaito. That's it. Yes, this going round in circles.

The only thing that's really going on here is, about being able to tell the difference between a Showato and Gendaito. Stamps aside, one must learn to differentiate. Whilst discussing such, some information comes to light, however, it still comes down to one being able to examine a sword and being able to tell the difference. The only way to really learn this is, to examine as many swords as possible. As with all Nihonto, judge the blade first.

I suggest you study "What makes a true Nihonto". From there it's a matter of examining as many swords as possible. I for one don't understand what you are after? RJT were Army registered Smiths, who were contracted by the Army ( and supplied with Tamahagane) to make X amount of swords. Other than obliging the contract, the smith could make however many swords he liked. One may find two swords made by a Smith in the same year, one has a Star Stamp and the other does not. As for Emura V Nagamitsu. Both made similar swords and in a similar manner. These are true Gendaito. Because of the similarity, these two Smiths were often considered the same person. This has proven to be false. It's now time to study.

Re think, Nabokucho Taima.

Muramachi Kanabo?

There are other smiths who signed Nagamitsu, besides Ichihara Nagamitsu.

Hizen, Shinto.

Seki Gendaito, are not highly regarded, only because Chris Bowen doesn't like them and has stated many times, that they (Generally) aren't the best quality. This is only "His" opinion and not Shared by the various sword societies. Chris has shown many times his various Bias and prejudice. His bias is towards Tokyo smiths and generally doesn't like many others. This is not "Heresay". One can check all his posts on the NMB.

The reason sword shops sold so many antique blades is, because with the end of the Samurai as a class, most could not afford to keep their swords.

As a bye the bye, I attended the SF show in 2006. At this time I had only decided to concentrate on Gendaito for a few years. Anyway, the was a chap there with a case with about, 1/2 dozen polished and papered, Yasukuni To. All of them had either Kizu or Ware, or both! This actually turned me away from Yasukuni To, until I acquired an early Yasutoku.

George, I never said, RJT had three levels. I was talking about swordsmiths in general and whether this applied to Gendaito. Personally, I would consider RJT, mid level.

I'm led to believe, of the polishers listed, the only ones fully trained are, Bob Benson and Woody hall.

Check the Tsuba, as well.

I think it's a Civilian Tachi.

Expertise d’antiquités japonaises à Écouen (patrice-sabbah-katana.com)

A tanto by Akihide would be extremely rare.

I go to Japan, almost yearly. Occasionally, I only go mainly for the DTI, however, I have travelled extensively through Japan. The reason I travel around Japan is for two reasons, first, to find sword shops, Secondly, I enjoy Japan an love the tourist aspect. My favourite sword shop is Wayy out of Tokyo. Now for my point. I have seen many swords for sale in Japan, with Green Papers. I still believe, that unless one is just a cheque book collector, one should do the research on the blade. Does it match the school? Does it match the work of the smith? With todays internet, one can just type in the smiths name and examples of the smiths work will be there to compare, as well a signatures.

The last gimei orikaeshi mei I saw was, Sue koto Kaneuji.

I began like Paul, collecting anything that took my fancy. Later, I decided I would concentrate on Gendaito. I believe I learnt much from Gendaito, as I believe most are just a continuance of Shin Shinto. However, now my tastes have changed again. I still like Gendaito, but have now branched out to all era's

I believe these type of put togethers, are post war. If it was done in Japan, why not just another military Tsuka?

Field re- fits, didn't use antique handles (as far as I know).