David Flynn

George, this discussion about the quality of Gendaito happened a few years ago, between Alan Morton and myself. As I was heavely in Gendaito at the time this discussion was very relevent. Alan said, that he thought the average Gendaito, had thin skin. At this time, I had managed to aquire some very good Gendaito and so was puzzled by Alans thoughts. This made go on a bit of an iformation hunt. This is when I discovered that Swordsmiths intentionaly make different quality swords. The first part of the puzzle was answered by Yoshihara Yoshindo in his book, The Craft of the Japanese Sword. where he said, he would make swords from sponge steel for Martial Artist. Also, before the Gendai period, swordsmiths would make three swords for the customer to choose from. Anyway, the conclusion is, Gendaitosho didn't always make the best sword they could. I have seen Star Stamp swords with flaws, both pre and post polish. If they weren't fatal flaws, they were allowed to pass.

Hi Neil, generally speaking yes. But as we all know with Japanese swords, there's always exceptions. Sometimes swords with a full signature can be lower quality, whilst Niji Mei ( 2 character sig.) can be good quality. However, this can also be reversed. Which is why it is hard to tell. A Gendaito in good condition will show the Smiths work, however not until it's polished will it reveal it's true quality. An Okimasa with a star stamp sold on the MB a few years ago. If I remember correctly, the seller was asking 8k for it. This sword had some kizu and Kite ware and eventually sold for (I think) 7k. A good Okimasa polished, is worth about 15-20k.

Please don't forget, RJT swords were made as weapons, not art swords. Saying that, I have seen some beautiful Star Stamp swords. Now here is something to be discussed. Most fully accredited Gendai Smiths, made three levels of swords. 1. swords nocked out for the war effort ( equivilent now of making lower level swords for Martial Arts) 2. Swords made with more care for general sale. 3. Special order blades. I had a lengthy discussion with a friend about this. It actually began by him saying, he believed Gendaito had rather thin skins, as observed by flaws showig up after polish. This intern led us to discuss why? The concensus at the end was, there are three levels of sword quality. I would personally put RJT blades between low level and medium level in quality. This is a generalisation and I realise, there are always exceptions.

Merry Christmas to all.

Just as by the by Chris, why did you think it was Seki? Was it based on it having some Togari gunome? I'm leaning towards Shinto Takada.

What we need to see is, how much munemachi/ Hamachi is left. Generally speaking, the more crisp the Hamachi, the newer the sword.

Would you please post a photo of the Hamachi/Munemachi. This will help with the ageing.

Not a Mino Seki Nakago.

What if they were'nt finished in Tokyo, but actually manifactured there using Mantetsu?

I doubt the crown section of the Tassel would fit through.

Also, by Sadakazu and Sadakatsu. Sadakazu, on the Nakago and Sadakatsu, on the blade.

Sorry, I can't really tell from the photos.

Polishing swords in the early Showa period, posed many problems. No1 the amount of qualified polishers. No2. being able to train enough people for the demand. Taking this into consideration, we find that many swords, were virtually "Cleaned Up". I had a Gendaito that was sold to me because, it had Muji hada. With a little TLC this sword turned out to have Masame Hada. The point I'm trying to make is that, many swords have their features covered by low level polishing.

Better eyes than me, Doug.

Something (no) Kami Hiroshige.

Assembly numbers.

I was led to believe, NCO swords, were drop-forged. Basically, a big bayonet.

There were 80000 Japanese on Bouganville.

Bouganville.

1932 was the Shanghai incident. Then war proper with China, in 1937. Japan surrended in August 1945 and signed the surrender in Sept. 1945. So not 1946.

The Showa wartime period was, 1937-1045

The Dragon stands for wisdom and the Ken is the blade that cuts through ignorance.

Sorry, you'll have to blame Neil for that. I don't have enough interest in them.

Whilst attending the Daitokenichi in Tokyo last week, a dealer had a polished Koa Isshin for sale for, 600000yen.

Can't beat google here. Just type in, Koyam Munetsugu and compare the sigs.