Banton989

Hi all, the last of my new gunto for viewing pleasure. Mei is Kanetoshi, with a large Seki stamp and hotstamp. (Think it may be the example in your article @Bruce Pennington. Nice sugata with what I think is a large sori for a gunto. Widish suguha hamon, and leather combat cover over wood. Thanks for taking the time to look at my new gunto, and hope they were of some interest. Adam

I do love a hot stamp, my 3rd swords got one I'll be showing soon. Heres some super close up shots of jigane.

No stamps, theres a good Amahide article in downloads too. He/they his workshop made both gendaito and showato. Lack of hada could be from the polish maybe?

Hi all, for your enjoyment, this was the second of my recent gunto aquisitions. Something a bit different this time, aluminium saya, nice clasped hand sarute. Mei is Amahide, but probably signed by his son. Hamon is unusual, gunome with almost small waves or crab claws. Tried to get a pic of it the best I could. Could it possibly be gendaito? Adam

Thanks for the input all. In hand the nakago is much darker patinated, had to use flash on the pics to make the mei more legible.

The Takada school apparently used Taira on mei during the koto period and Fujiwara during the shinto. There was a Taira Takada Sadamori active from 1520. Might be a later generation closer to the end of the 16th c perhaps, but mei for them are almost non existant.

Oops forgot the nakago!

Hi all, for your enjoyment, this was the first of my recent gunto aquisitions. Nice set of all numbered seppa and tsuba, some great big nobbly same. Lovely choji hamon. Great condition iron saya. Mei is Hoshu Takada Taira Sadamori with a buddhist bonji above.

Finally have one to contibute!

Ah thanks Geraint, was a Typo.

One of my additions to my gunto collection today, had me reading up on the enigmatic Takeda school. I think mei for this smith are few. I do love the little quests each new blade sends you on. 60.6cm Nagasa

Hi all, just recieved 3 lovely new gunto to add to the collection. Very exciting! Top to bottom:- Hoshu Takeda Taira Sadamori Amahide Kumazawa Kanetoshi Will do more photos of each later.

Thanks Didier, a few more glamour shots just for you. Lots going on in the blade under high magnification.

Hi all, Something a bit different, koto wakizashi length blade, 59.3cm nagasa, 1.2cm sori, mounted in nice fittings and same saya. Gimei to Soshu-Ju Masahiro. All fittings matching stamped numbers and on tsuka throat. Have to say I do love the same saya on some kai. Adam

There is an amendment that covers it:- An amendment to this act was passed, which came into effect on the 1st of August 2008. It allows curved and samurai swords which are handmade using traditional forging/production methods to be sold without a license. Swords with a curved blade of 50cm or more may be imported where the weapon: was made before 1954 was made by traditional hand sword making methods is only available for the purposes of use in religious ceremonies or for martial arts is for use in a historical re-enactments or sporting activity for example a martial arts demonstration for which public liability insurance is held As far as I know this hasn't been altered since. And also covers ownership. Adam

Thanks for all the opinions so far, my photography probably isn't helping. The nioiguchi is actually very nicely consistent down the length of the whole blade. Good to know what nie looks like as I have never seen it before in person.

This swords just popped up in a Facebook post!

Pic 2

Hello all, just after a bit of guidance, I'm trying to learn all I can about my new sword :-) In my pics (apologies for the poor photos) is that nie along the hamon line? Not handled an older blade before so it's amazing looking close up at the depth of the construction. I could look at it for hours lol. Is there a name for the particular nie pattern? Any help appreciated. Sorry I'm such a newbie! Thank you for your patience. Adam

Hi all, can anyone help translate this found hiding under a fuchi please? Adam

Just received a new sword from a good friend. As a new gunto collector this is my first ever koto blade I have owned, very excited! Came in very nice gunto mountings with mon. Adam

Couple more photos...