Jcstroud

Thought I would post a few more photos of Toyosuke's other works for comparison.....

P.s. I suggest you read the ohmura study. I am sure Mr. Plimpton did.

The truth is we really dont know the truth however,we know there were at times swords made to fill the need with what they had to work with. We do know that the so called souvenir swords existed because there was a demand for such. The problem is we dont really know how to descern one from the other .Plimpton I am sure could not either.

I guess I would have to have another in hand to compare but I find nothing lightweight or flimsy about mine in fact it is quite weighty. But all are not the same .Hey I have a good idea lets have a shinsa for militaria.!!!

I think one should judge each sword on its individual merits rather than condemn the group as a whole.If you dont like yours you can send it to me ! I would gladly receive it. They are not all the same. Any antique that can shave your beard with ease after almost 80 years deserves respect.not all are showpieces .they are a part of history. Oh by the way I would not hesitate to trust mine in battle should the need arise.

Would be an honor, hey Bruce question? :Ohmura San spoke of the Tachi of the Kamakura special case March 1945 "extraordinary special case of the gunto. Suspension mount to one, abolished plating of metal fittings brass,the pattern,the knotloop and the springclip" could he be speaking of the origin of this style mounting?

In a final thought concerning a possible hidden message of the " souvenir" swords could be this: in the end the the cherry blossoms have fallen and the grand expectations have come to an abrupt halt. But after all is finished our honor and our dignity is retained for generations to come. Respectfully yours. John P.S. I was speaking in reference to kiri hot cut nakago and lack of cherry blossoms on the kabuto gane.

I know it seems to be a weak link at best but it was an attempt to show the overwhelming similarities in construction,markings,kosherai ,nakago characteristics and paint and mixed fittings .all combined indicates a possible connection not to mention the same small circled anchor stamp. I am aware that i seem to be confusing my topics. Very thankful for your confirmation! Once again. I seem to be obssessed with finding. The truth .

Picture is from griffin auctions recent sale

Could this be kanesuke?

more interesting markings

Modified roman numerals found: Illl / =45 thought you might find it interesting.

Hey Kiipu took more photos of Toyosuke #45 for comparison I cant seem to get the resolution that I want without the filesize being to big.

Looks like it was underwater and swelled up then left in the sun to dry.

Please help me solve this.thank you

Toyosuke #45

Thanks to kiipu I have a few more to compare

After a multitude of searches of Sword Smith lists and kai gunto and shin gunto blades I finally came up with a possibility that maybe.......in the 1943 gendai tosho ninki banzuke jyungenro I have found a swordsmith by the name of. TOMITA SUKEHIRO (TOKYO) Apon Viewing at least 6 of his swords along with a masahiro,a masanao all having the same mixed army navy souvenir fittings,same in black same snapped off kiri nakago near Identicle........I have been looking for years to solve the mystery .any help would be greatly appreciated. Due to the uniformity of construction I am thinking they all possibly worked together along with name association. Help!

The more you know, the more you know you know?????

Can anyone read the writing on exterior of the boxes for clues?

Now to address the confusion....it is my belief that the Korean war vets that Bob Coleman bought the swords from according to them they were bought at the px in tokyo .it is probable that name Japanese Naval Sword was used by the vendors....hence the confusion between the 2 stores. One way to further clarify the situation is to look for a registration of this company name in the records in Japan.