Possible gendaito purchase

[Josh man]

I found a sword for sale made by Shimousa ju Kuniaki. It's in type 98 mounts. Just wondering if anyone has heard of Kuniaki from Shimousa?

 

Thanks in advance.

Josh

[Josh man]

The sword has a nice straight hamon, and overall has the look of a traditional piece in military mounts (I'm guessing it's a post Meiji sword, probably from the late 30's or early 40's). I'm no expert on these, but I've done some reading on them, and it doesn't seem like a machined blade, but that doesn't mean it isn't a showato from what I'm told. Mounts are all matching.

 

This is my first post on here, so I'd also like to introduce myself. My name is Joshua, and I am mostly a Japanese WWII firearm collector. I'm also active military and a veteran of Afghanistan (and a wounded warrior). I've built up a decent collection of Arisaka rifles and other weapons, but now my interest is floating over to swords and traditional weapons. I'd like to get a gunto with an old blade but I'd settle for a gendaito if the price was right and in good condition.

[george trotter]

Hi Joshua,

It is difficult to give you a comment without a pic as we don't really know if you are reading the inscription properly.

There is a modern maker named Kuniaki...he lived in Sakai and his family name was Okimoto...1930s I think.

best you get a pic or two.

regards,

[cabowen]

If it is a Showa period sword, it should be dated. Those that aren't as a rule of thumb, aren't usually worth collecting. There are rare exceptions.

[zentsuji2]

Can you see a grain above the hamon?Look up hada or jihada types,and look in good light.

Welcome and good luck.

Ian bellis

[Josh man]

Just checked again, no visible hada. I will probably pass on this for now. When I get access to a computer (I'm using my phone) I will post some pictures. I'll just spend my money on an old blade like I wanted.

[zentsuji2]

Good luck with the old blade,it is a windows into the feudal past of the Samurai, and a time where magicians played with steel to make the finest blades known to man.

Buy a book or search on here to select which old style blade shape you like.

As to ww2 smiths and confusion of non traditional or traditionally made blades,there is only one way to do this.

Why not buy a good book on ww2 smiths,like sloughs, find a smith with reputation, or a rikugen jumei toshu,post on here before buying and you may find its a lovely blade,in good condition.

It's a fact that older smiths had better experience, lineage,and produced harder cutting edges,and complex forging patterns lost to time.

If you buy an older blade check it out, I am moving on to them in the near future, as I covet a mounted true Samurai blade.

Here's my ww2. Sword,want a Hizen Tadayoshi

Regards, Ian bellis

Ww2 sword,decent shape