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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

Hi Charlie, This forum is dedicated to the study and preservation of genuine Japanese swords and fittings. For that reason, not many of us actually use our swords for martial arts. I am going to move your thread to the "General Nihonto related discussion" section, in hopes to get more eyes on your question, and maybe find someone with more info. All the best, and welcome to the forum! Cheers, -Sam

Thank you Thomas! That’s what I thought, but wanted to be sure I wouldn’t be stepping on any toes. It will probably take some time to establish a solid base of members, but I will encourage people to sign up for the NCJSC for your awesome newsletters - and zoom meetings. Thanks for the info! All the best, -Sam

The fact that swords exist with KOKUIN and also inspection stamps, implies to me, that swords with a hot stamp could be either SHOWATO or GENDAITO. My Osawa Kanehisa for example, also had a SEKI stamp. Notably, ASANO KANESANE and his company are believed to stamp his kokuin on both traditional and non traditional swords. https://www.japaneseswordindex.com/kanezane.htm Other interpretations may vary... -Sam

Is there any problem with me using "Token Kai" in the club name? I see most clubs use it, and if it's a deeper intertwined organization that I'm not aware of, I wouldn't want to assume the same wording without permission. What's your thoughts @Toryu2020 ? For example: PNW Token Kai Home of the Rain Dragons

Unfortunately I have to agree with Conway. Below is a link with some helpful tools to spot fakes. I think it’s trying to be some type of gunto. I’ve seen nearly identical versions over the years, and I suspect they were made to deceive. Sorry for the bad news, -Sam https://www.jssus.org/nkp/fake_japanese_swords.html

It's my understanding that ato-bori bo-hi is typically done to hide flaws; but can also potentially expose deeper flaws like fukure and ware. Might sound aesthetically pleasing, but the risk may not be worth the reward. To each their own of course. -Sam

Hi Bruce, After going through my Fuller and Gregory books and also Dawsons cyclopedia, I did not find anything that matches in a satisfying way. I searched the diplomat sections and beyond. The emblem itself reminds me most of the emblems found on police badges. See the first two color photos below from Dawsons. Third and fourth black and white photo, is an unusual item listed in Fuller and Gregory military and civil swords and dirks. Still, nothing quite fits… All the best, -Sam Dawsons: Fuller and Gregory:

I am still not qualified to determine if it's cast or not, especially from photos - but some of those blue circles appear to be depicting how bamboo looks when a branch sprouts from a node. Which could be interpreted as an extra level of detail rather than a casting flaw. -Sam

Away from my books until after work, but I'll comb through them when I get home in about 6 hours. Maybe someone will beat me to the punch before then Interesting emblem! Especially interesting it's repeated on the buckle. I share your fears of a fake, I don't like the way the fit of that fuchi looks... Can't say I recognize it, but I often forget more than I remember -Sam

Hi Tristan, Your photos are good for identification, and thank you for sharing your sword with us! Unfortunately, there's no signature or stamps to make ID easier. You sword appears to be a wartime manufacture Type 98 ShinGunto with leather saya cover. I suspect it's a non-traditionally made SHOWATO rather than a traditionally made GENDAITO. Seki made is believable, to me. The tang (nakago) is original length (UBU), and it's unsigned (mumei). Hopefully more people render their opinions to confirm or deny my suspicions. Interested to hear what others think, -Sam

It’s a good question, and the rectangular nakago ana raises more questions. My first impression was that it was hand forged. After reading others opinions I’m not so sure now. A part of the reason I want to keep my tsuba collection minimal is because I’m often reminded how little I know about tsuba All the best, -Sam

Just a collector of stuff that I like. Trying to keep my Tosogu collection very minimal at the moment. Lets not derail this thread

Dan, please consider the possibility that the date on the tsuba is not honest - especially likely if it happens to be cast.

Thanks Chandler! Next time you're around, let me know and I'll treat you to lunch! I will soon be looking for images for the club website. If anyone has any high definition images/photographs of their collection, I'd love to include them! I am particularly interested in rain dragon depictions on tosogu and also anything with rain, mountains, or nature themes. I'd rather use images that were donated to me for the site, rather than pulling them from random places on the internet. If anyone has any good ones, please PM me! All the best, -Sam