Show Us Your High Class Gunto

[Navy]

Hoping my sword falls in this category, here we have a mumei Uda blade, in an early 98 koshirae (perhaps from Kakenu shop).

[Navy]

The blade:

[Bruce Pennington]

On 3/16/2024 at 4:01 AM, IJASWORDS said:

I pulled a few swords from the cupboard tonight to inspect and enjoy. This KANETOSHI (Murayama) Star Stamp, July 1944 in late war RS mounts always demands attention. In WW2 polish, the hada and hamon in Ichimonji style JUKA CHOJI, is like viewing a nice piece of art, something new always catches your eye. For Bruce's benefit, I tried to do my best on the MUNE stamps. 

I have probably posted photos before, but my new phone camera and LED lights show much more detail. 

If I had the time and money, this sword would be a prime candidate for a touch up polish.  

 

@Kiipu @BANGBANGSAN

A recent discussion of the Toku stamp on a helmet on this Warrelics thread: Helmet Type 90, sheds light on the meaning of the stamp.

Quoting Akira Komiya: "The letter “特” indicates “特別採用”, special acceptance, meaning it did not pass the ordinary inspection criteria but was nonetheless accepted for special reasons."  As you read through the thread, he says he could not find specific criteria for failure to pass nor acceptable reasons for allowing the item through for use.  Apparantly, this had been explained much earlier in a pinned thread of Nick Komiya's discussing helmets. 

 

[BANGBANGSAN]

On 8/15/2025 at 10:48 PM, Bruce Pennington said:

 

@Kiipu @BANGBANGSAN

A recent discussion of the Toku stamp on a helmet on this Warrelics thread: Helmet Type 90, sheds light on the meaning of the stamp.

Quoting Akira Komiya: "The letter “特” indicates “特別採用”, special acceptance, meaning it did not pass the ordinary inspection criteria but was nonetheless accepted for special reasons."  As you read through the thread, he says he could not find specific criteria for failure to pass nor acceptable reasons for allowing the item through for use.  Apparantly, this had been explained much earlier in a pinned thread of Nick Komiya's discussing helmets. 

 

Bruce

Thanks for the link.

It is possible that the “特” mark without a circle on the sword does not signify “failure to pass the ordinary inspection but was nonetheless accepted for special reasons.” In the case of RJT swords, a blade that failed inspection would not have received the star stamp. It should also be noted that this type of gunto was not government-issued to officers, unlike the Type 95 and certain other weapons; rather, officers were required to purchase them at their own expense. Could the “特” mark  indicate“特别訂單” (special order), perhaps connected with the 陸軍偕行社（Rikugun Kaikosha）/Army officer club or a similar institution?

[Bruce Pennington]

6 minutes ago, BANGBANGSAN said:

Could the “特” mark instead indicate“特别訂單” (special order)

Akira followed up, after I posted this, and also felt the kana's meaning on the blade might be different.  Your idea sounds more logical, with it being on a star stamped blade.  

Mystery continues.

[Volker62]

 beautiful shaped Kikusui Masanao

 

 

if you mount the original handle on one of these great swords, as long as the original koshirae is still there, such a tachi gets a completely new look

[lonely panet]

wow

[Volker62]

Thank's this looks old Bizen Tachi 

 

Especially with its rare gunome Choji temper.

[Michael 67]

Yes, thanks also to Neil, who sent this beautiful Masanao to Germany.
 

 

[Volker62]

yes, thats how it is with shipping, someone is always selling and shipping 

[Volker62]

A little special feature

 

A beautiful original  D Guard sword ( Koshirae with Ka Mon) with a special fitted high quality beautiful ctrafted  sword balde by Muto Hidehiro

 

with imperial special date.

 

 

You can clearly see from the nakago, that it was  fitted  to the old handle.

 

It is also interesing that the thick quality habaki is signed on  the inside, (both sides).

 

I think I reconize    "Chikugo"

[Volker62]

more....

[Volker62]

here was a blue-brown company officers tassel on the sword's handle, which is quite rotten now.

[Bruce Pennington]

Very nice, Volker!

@mecox

[Volker62]

thank you Bruce

 

Have you seen the stamp on the nakago Mune?

 

sure

 

no other stamps found

[Volker62]

[Bruce Pennington]

7 hours ago, Volker62 said:

thank you Bruce

 

Have you seen the stamp on the nakago Mune?

 

sure

 

no other stamps found

Yes! Already logged into the charts, thank you.

[Volker62]

 depicted Kotani Yasunori san with Medal and one of his special sword's oshigata

[Volker62]

double publication of a blade by Moritsugu Norisada

 

 

Besides the illustration in John Scott Slough's Book "Modern Japanese Swordsmith 1868 til 1945

 

Oshigata Book on pages 137 u. 138

 

here in in Fuller&Gregory Oshigata book 106 Oshigata from 1985 on page 113 u. 114 an interesting oshigata of a  gift sword  to the governor of Burma 

[Volker62]

[Volker62]

[Volker62]

[Volker62]

sorry  my computer uploaded picture 2 u. 3 incorrectly

[Marcin]

36 minutes ago, Volker62 said:

sorry  my computer uploaded picture 2 u. 3 incorrectly

Great example Volker. You acquired one of Moritsugu Norisada works?

[Volker62]

recently marcin

[Brian]

I absolutely love my Norisada. Some excellent work, and I remember reading on a site somewhere how highly regarded he is.
Definitely one of my keepers. Unfortunately my nakago took a lot of rust or wear at some point, as it almost looks Koto, but enough remains that it was readable.

 

 

[Volker62]

very very nice Brian

 

rarely found a Gunome choji hamon like this one for a Gendaito

 

looks like a shin shin to blade

[Marcin]

55 minutes ago, Volker62 said:

very very nice Brian

 

rarely found a Gunome choji hamon like this one for a Gendaito

 

looks like a shin shin to blade

Volker, You bought this great piece from Stefan? I was privately discussing with him original offer by eric and his claim that this blade is same from Slough oshigata book example :]

Maybe Stefan after our talk changed description? Check please yourself with book as there was difference but it could be caused by different angles. I hope that blade is in fact from Slough and in great shape.

Original ebay offer was in like september last year but long gone. Oshigata C page 138 if I remember correctly.

Edited April 19 by Rawa

[Volker62]

this one matsches the illustration of the depicted Nakago in John Scott Slough's book.

 

please see and check yourself, the one on page 138

 

thank you!

[Volker62]

in my humble opinion clearly a oder made one

 

 very wide  Motohabe in it's beautiful original Koshirae 

 

long kissaki

 

long Nagasa, very nice shaped blade

 

 

gunome Choji 

 

overall in my opinion a real beauty