Scogg

A very nice Type 98 showato nonetheless. A complete package with tassel, extended kissaki, and in good condition. I wonder… did you think that the clasped hands sarute was standard? It’s not a typical feature, and to see so many from one person is kind of wild. It must have been something that was sought out. Very cool! -Sam

Hi Caitlin, I believe that you have a genuine Nihonto. Like you suggest, it appears to be o-suriage (greatly shortened). It's hard to put a date on your item, especially from photos. It's made even more difficult because it's been shortened, and the original shape has been lost to time. If you are interested in restoration, please keep in mind that it's a very expensive and long process. I would recommend finding a well respected and recommended TOGISHI to have a look at your sword, and help you determine if it's worth the price to restore or not. Unfortunately, I am in the USA and not the UK, and am unfamiliar with togishi over there. Maybe someone can chime in, and help. Best of luck, cool sword, and welcome to the forum! All the best, -Sam

It's my understanding that it's not a distinct mune-machi, but rather the oshigata showing what the style of mune is, by "unfolding" it on the illistration. See other example below:

Here is an interesting thread about museums and tsuba. All the best, -Sam

I imagine it’s frustrating for those of you involved in the discussion - but the back and forth is actually pretty interesting, a learning opportunity for the rest of us

A lot of red flags with that one, Steve. The nakago and mei really doesn't look right. The hamon looks bad, either faked or an amateur polish. The yakote is gone. Fittings look late war OK, but the leather looks new... Personally, I don't see enough positive to overcome the negative. -Sam

Amazing work Markus and Rayhan That was quite an addition to my digital library, and it's going to take some time for me to digest Much appreciated! -Sam

Speaking personally; absolutely! Of all the WW2 koshirae types, I've always admired the "Type 3" fittings

Bruce got you covered Just to add, "SAKU" basically means "Made By". So the smith name is simply KANEYUKI. Muromachi period is believable based on what I can see. I would think the later half of the Muromachi period. Looks like an older blade, fitted with the leather saya cover, to be carried during WW2. The menuki is not clear enough for me to determine what it might be. I see where you're coming from with "volcano", but it's just a little too small/blurry for me to confidently identify. Might be a good question for the TOSOGU section, if you can get some good photos. All the best, -Sam

Much appreciated @Soshin David! Thank you so much for the kind words, and the image donations. Still working on some minor formatting, and editing my words - but I think the website is nearly done. I've already gotten a couple contact form inquiries, so I have confirmation that it works . Thank you for the offer though! I hope to establish membership, and then poll members for the most convenient meeting dates/location. Hoping to schedule our first meeting before too long, even if it's just a few of us. Thanks for all your help everyone! All the best, -Sam Edit, I just saw Stephens comment: Haven't done anything to fix Thomas's issue... Curious if it's working for him now or not. Glad it's working for you! Thank you for letting me know, I am hoping that it's just a "new website" problem and it fixes itself.

If all you read is peer reviewed academic sources, then stick with peer reviewed academic sources. This isn't that. It's a sword collectors guide, for Pete's sake I personally found it really helpful and informative. Thank you for putting it together, awesome work!

Dang! Hopefully I can figure this out. A bit of a learning curve for me Try again if you get the chance. It seems to be working for me, and I’ve already got an inquiry from the “contact form” from another member. Hoping I can smooth out hiccups like this before the end of the day. Thank you for letting me know, -Sam

Likely authentic. Likely put together... Definitely appears low quality; and I really don't like the look of the nakago. Looks like the habaki is mismatched, or the blade has had so much material removed that it no longer fits properly. If I were in your shoes, I would keep shopping. Just my thoughts, others may vary. -Sam

Hi William, Judging from just these photos, it looks authentic to me. This is a very late war "Pattern 5" Type 95, with the wooden handle and steel saya. I'd be curious to know if there's a serial number on the saya; and if you are able to see any stamps anywhere on the blade, or saya. Here is a good discussion from years ago, that shows both authentic and fake examples https://www.militaria.co.za/nmb/topic/20454-wooden-handled-type-95s/ All the best, -Sam

Well... Here goes nothing! Looks better on computer over a phone. Still working on some minor formatting, and potentially adding some more info and pictures. https://www.pnwtokenkai.com/ Would love any feedback. All the best, -Sam

Well, here goes nothing! Still a work in progress - I hope to add more photos and information as I continue to develop the website. Hopefully I can establish a solid small group of members. It looks a lot better on a computer over a phone - I am trying to format that better. https://www.pnwtokenkai.com/

Working on making a website for a local sword club today. I have a few photos that have been generously donated - but I need some more high definition photos of Nihonto, and Nihonto related items/subjects for the website. I'd love to use donated photos taken from NMB members, rather than pulling them from google without the owners permission. Theme's I'm hoping to source: Rain Dragons Mountains Trees/Nature Frogs? Some blade/nakago photos would be great Hoping ya'll can help! My only criteria are that the photos belong to you, and you grant me permission to use them on a local (free)club website. Thanks for reading, -Sam

I hate to be the bearer of bad news... Even with just these two photos, it's clear this is NOT a genuine Japanese sword. Here is a really helpful link to help spot fakes like these. https://www.jssus.org/nkp/fake_japanese_swords.html Sincerely, -Sam

It's also not common to see a tsunagi/shirasaya setup on WW2 swords like this. Somebody must have recognized the quality post-war, and commissioned the shirasaya. Blade looks older than WW2 to me. Wish we had more sugata photos, but my gut leans toward shinto period . I am making some assumptions, obviously - but it all bodes well for a potentially quality piece. Grain of salt. -Sam

Yes, it's OK to post blades from internet/sale listings - especially if you have questions and are considering a purchase. I can move this thread to the NIHONTO section, to save you the time of creating a new topic - if that is agreeable to you. Let me know, -Sam

Must be the exact one that I remember seeing in the past, I just misremembered the fuller part. I also would not consider 109278東 "Late War", as 108893東 and 110069東 have the KOKURA 4 cannonball stamp that was used up until September 1942. Really interesting! Not really sure what's going on with this one, but it's certainly unique. If it's wartime, it's important; but can we be sure? All the best, -Sam

The reason is to prevent people from editing their words after responses have come in. And also a stopgap to spammers who might go back and mess with seemingly legit posts. Other reasons too, I’m sure… That being said, a moderator can edit your post anytime - if it’s something minor, a typo, or if you’d like to omit something personal. Send me or @Brian a message detailing what you want edited, and we can maybe help. All the best, -Sam

Hi Seth, Please let me know if you find any for your records. I have none recorded, and to my recolection, I've only ever seen a single one (before I began recording). I recall it was without a bohi. All the best, -Sam

And if you are not able to make it to Chicago on short notice - there is also the upcoming Orlando Sword Show https://orlandoswordshow.com/ All the best, -Sam

Yes, the numbers should be on the spine of the nakago. Bruce is usually active in the AM, so stay tuned. Cool swords! Nice type 98 koshirae. That’s a SUYA stamp (suya shoten co.) on the tsuba. Maybe a clasped hands sarute? Thanks for sharing and I look forward to reading the feedback. -Sam