great site for those interested in gunto koshirae....

[cabowen]

http://cb1100f.b10.coreserver.jp/collection3a.html

 

examples of all sorts of koshirae,,,,

 

EDIT- After taking some time to explore this site, I have realized I have done it a disservice by simply referring to it as a great site for gunto koshirae....It is actually an amazing collection of information on the Japanese Imperial Army and Navy, loaded with photos, documents, and information.

[Austo1]

Hi Chris

Thanks for the link to the website. It is a great site for reference for all Imperial Japanese Militaria. I previously had the site bookmarked to my favourites however I lost the link sometime back,

Regards

Doug

http://www.guntoartswords.com

[Guido]

Some great examples of how one can legally own a non-traditionally made sword in Japan ... ouch!

[cabowen]

What is even more shocking is that several stainless gunto on the site have torokusho.

[george trotter]

Can I believe my eyes...cutting up Imperial Gift blades?

...and once again, the brown tassel on an army gunto makes its appearance. Must be home station admin staff...(probably?).

Great site, thanks Chris.

[Baka Gaijin]

Thanks Chris,

 

Very interesting site, particularly the Calligraphy and Painting page.

 

 

Cheers

[Brian]

A great site..in desperate need of a makeover

One long list of pics, and nothing opens larger?

 

Brian

[Johnny Barracuda]

Old site, but rare pictures. Thank you so much.

 

The broken blades broke my heart.

 

By the way, given what I know of weapon control law in Japan, I am always surprised to find on eBay gunto for sale, with arsenal blades, with sellers pretending to sell from Japan. Wouldn't these Swords be illegal in Japan? When I stayed in Japan, at various flea markets, I noticed genuine shin gunto, with arsenal blades, for sale openly.

 

Therefore, I am wondering whether the law has changed in Japan.

 

That would be a good idea, because gunto are of the same historic (I am, of course, not saying artistic) value as nihonto.

[Brian]

Yes, they are illegal. And no, the law hasn't changed.

Just proof that laws don't mean compliance.

 

When I was at a rural flea market in Japan, a seller had most of a (very) rusted type 99 machine gun under the table.

 

Just because you see it, doesn't mean it is allowed.

 

Brian

[Stoney]

Perhaps because the law regarding showato was made after WW2 it is not enforced as rigorously these days?

 

http://www.e-sword.jp/katana/1510-1049.htm

[Kai-Gunto]

Some fakes NCO swords and replica/fantasy navy dirk from Denix

[cabowen]

They get past licensing for various reasons on occasion. It doesn't mean the law has changed. It's Japan.

[Peter Bleed]

I hadn't seen this page but I'm glad to have it. Thanks for keeping it before the Board.

Peter

[zentsuji2]

Excellent resource Chris,it's a lot of info on swords,sayas etc.

Thanks for the link.

Hope you're well.

Regards

Ian Bellis

[truelotus]

How come they chop so many imperial gift swords ??? the english translation is somewhat fuzzy but overall a very nice source for info
many thanks, Chris

Donny

[cabowen]

If the blades aren't traditionally made, they aren't legal.

[Johnny Barracuda]

A traditionally made blade is like a femme fatale: very deadly but so beautiful it is easily forgiven.

 

An arsenal blade is also very deadly but not beautiful enough to pretend to be a work of art instead of a weapon.