Family Mons on kabuto gane

[zentsuji2]

Recently purchased a ww2 gendaito, and like many it has a silver mon attached.

Unfortunately it was defaced, but a shape remains.

Has anybody got pictures of mons, that I can maybe match mine to,from books or from your own swords.

 

Any pictures appreciated, and book images.

I have pictured my mon,

Anyone a clue of the family or a guess of the remaining shape.

Thank you for this,I am trying to track down records,from nihon so,and hope that an officer of a specific family,may be logged in a ledger as the buyer of the sword.

I also like drawing these so pictures of your mons will help and a book even better.

 

Thanks all,sorry if it's been covered.

Best regards, Ian Bellis

[george trotter]

Hi Ian,

Yours has the distinct "feel" to me of being a character mon (kanji mon)...either two kanji (I think) as in a name, or one kanji, maybe slightly stylised. Just my feeling. I haven't checked, but you could google character/kanji mon and something similar might come up...but you would be guessing to a certain extent, unless one came up that fits what is still visible. Good luck.

 

As for defaced mon, I have 8 gendaito, 3 have mon, two are removed altogether...pity. Character mon are more valuable (historically speaking) IMHO as they are usually the officer's actual name, which theoretically allows you to do some research into who he may have been...as opposed to "normal" picture mon which, by WWII, could be anyone.

Regards,

[zentsuji2]

Thanks George, I didn't even know there were character mon,

So this could be the buyer or sword owners name,

That's excellent, I probably won't find out as kanji is still out of my league yet,sword mei are beginning to jump out a little.

Thanks for opening yet another door in this hobby,I am currently trying to talk to yoshikazu San,but not speaking Japanese, is a big problem,

Thanks George for your help and encouragement,the kuniie keeps giving,made some Japanese togishi friends,budo sensei,they love the kuniie, and have shown great interest in it,yoshikazu

Stated many things were lost at nihonso during ww2 fires,but was interested to see the sword.

You take care, hope that garden has taken shape,

Best of luck,and regards Ian Bellis

[zentsuji2]

George I showed it to yoshindo yoshihara, and yoshikazu, both love the sword and flamboyant hamon.

In regards to the mon,it is as you say a name, but it can't be deciphered as too defaced.

I love the sword more everyday,and gain confidence in it,it has been complemented by his grandsons, so that's enough for me.

They have invited me to meet at their forges and see a sword made,from start to finish.

Thanks for being a good friend and good judge as usual.

Take care.Regards Ian

Pics of my journal, and sword collection.

[george trotter]

Hi Ian,

It is great that you have had feedback (and invite) from Yoshindo and Yoshikazu...great provenance...I hope you print off the correspondence and put it in your sword file with the oshigata and pics...very valuable to have the descendants comments with the sword IMHO.

Your other swords look interesting also...can you tell us members what they are?

 

I'm glad this all worked out well for you...a nice find indeed!

Regards, and thanks for your kind words,

George

[zentsuji2]

Thanks George for your guidance.

1 star stamp motomura kanemoto

2 yoshihara kuniie

3 ichiara nagamitsu, a lovely sword, the hada and hamon although obscured by scratches,is magnificent, the Ashi are long and reach to the cutting edge, there are choji that join like mushrooms, I wish it was in Polish, a beefy blade,near 26.75" nagasa,lovely cutting sword,and fine balanced.

In all honesty, the best in a situation for balance is the star stamp,it is a joy to handle, in one or two hands,I see why the program started,these swords,they were meant for use, not just show.

The kuniie is in original polish as you know, and honestly is razor sharp,it again is weightless until swung.

 

I think these smiths are highly underrated,to make swords under pressure of this standard is amazing.

 

I am selling one,but it's hard,I may just save and keep them,I am losing militaria, but there is no comparison, these swords are so intriguing,

Considering most ww2 swords are classed by some as inferior, they have so much unique differences, it's staggering.

Sorry for going on, will keep you updated George, but the kuniie was admired by both brothers,an honour in itself.

Did you like my journal George?

259 hand written notes from this place,and your star stamp passion,basics,rarity makers mei,it's kept me sane these 2 years.

 

All the best,again thanks for your kuniie comments, no one seemed bothered, but many have pmd congratulations, and Brian kindly commented.

 

Best regards, my friend and mentor. Ian Bellis

[george trotter]

Hi Ian,

Thanks for your comments and thanks for sharing your collection. You do seem to have started at the high end...stick to quality, even if it means fewer blades in your collection (of course, there is no shame in buying an occasional "medium" blade if it appeals to you haha).

Yes, I also like the RJT scheme swords. Like you I like the quality and I like the history of the times and the fact that they were made with strong patriotism and effort for use in actual battle...all part of the "real" purpose of nihonto IMHO.

Your literary efforts are commendable also...I remember in my early days of collecting I made up a scrapbook of so many interesting snippets and pics and quotes about nihonto...I haven't seen the book for decades...must be buried in the shed somewhere now I think (it included dozens of copied of the Token Soc. of GB, so I really should dig it out and re-read those issues).

As for not getting a strong response from the board members...well, that's life. Not everyone sees what we see and we can't all love the same thing...I'm sure though that many would quietly wish they had found your Kuniie.

Keep on collecting, studying and enjoying...that's what I say

Regards,

[zentsuji2]

Thanks George.

The sword was not to impress others,it just wouldn't go away from my mind,it was pleasing to me, to have a kuniie in any form,

I believe he was one of the most passionate ww2 smiths,in work and patriotism, a teacher of some great smiths,and a student of shigetsugu, an rjt inspector and maker.

I thought it wouldn't hurt to have someone of this status in my limited budget collection, and I look at it still in awe.

It has given me a link to his family, language is a problem, as my Japanese is non existent.

Thanks once again for your support George, I am having a horrible time at home lately,and can't come on here much.

Hope you are well my freind, keep up the gardening, happy wives,lead to nicer swords;)

Hope to speak soon.

 

Best regards. Ian Bellis