Jcstroud Posted December 31, 2024 Report Posted December 31, 2024 On 12/29/2024 at 5:21 PM, vajo said: Bruce it is a souvenier sword with a fantasy signature. I have a Louis Trenker ice pickle my father bought me 1974 in a shop at the lake Königssee. Same vibes. They are what they are there is no questioning that. But the facts are we really dont know all the facts. In response to ro your commentary : We all want to know more and it is a study in progress.No need to belittle what you personally do not like. But that is your decision.Let us all strive together for the good of all involved. The more we know the better off we all are. 1 Quote
Polaria Posted January 1 Report Posted January 1 I agree. Everyone has their own priorities and interests. I know a lot of people who dismiss all Japanese military swords as "trash". I, on the other hand, am very interested in them because they are the last military swords intended to be used in battle in the era of modern mechanized war. Which alone makes them very interesting in the history of swords and other bladed weapons. These "official souvenirs" seem to be actually commissioned by 8th Army very soon after the war and thus have their own very interesting tale in the big picture. 3 Quote
John C Posted February 3 Report Posted February 3 @Bruce Pennington @Jcstroud A Takayama to souvenir being marketed as a kai gunto. https://www.ebay.com/itm/396128692162? John C. 1 Quote
Conway S Posted February 3 Report Posted February 3 Looks like the nakago has not been shortened based on the photos. Other Kanenao examples like this in souvenir koshirae on Pg. 95 and Pg. 96 of "Japanese NAVAL SWORDS WW2 Swordsmiths & Workshops" by Mal Cox. Conway Quote
Bruce Pennington Posted February 3 Author Report Posted February 3 Thanks guys. I messaged the seller to see if he'll post a shot of the other side of the nakago. Most of the Kanenao blades I have aren't numbered, but we'll see if he responds. Update: Got a response, no photos, but seller said there was nothing on the other side. Quote
Lareon Posted July 15 Report Posted July 15 @Bruce Pennington Didn't have a Souvenir in my collection but got this Toyosuke recently. Not in hand so can't send any more photos yet for you Bruce. 48 in paint and the tsuba has 45 on it 1 1 Quote
Bruce Pennington Posted July 16 Author Report Posted July 16 Excellent Tony, thank you! Our first "48". 1 Quote
Lareon Posted July 16 Report Posted July 16 Tsuba may also be 48 now i look again, will check when i actually get it 1 Quote
Rawa Posted July 19 Report Posted July 19 Looks like same batch https://www.liveauctioneers.com/item/208615160_wwii-ijn-Japanese-naval-officer-s-samurai-sword-kai-gunto-swansea-ma Quote
Bruce Pennington Posted July 20 Author Report Posted July 20 18 hours ago, Rawa said: Looks like same batch Yes, thanks Marcin. It's also one of the blades with both the large and small anchor stamps. Quote
Lareon Posted July 20 Report Posted July 20 I'm guessing the Souvenirs never came with the sword belt as the sword belt has two clips and the saya only has one ashi Quote
Bruce Pennington Posted July 20 Author Report Posted July 20 2 hours ago, Lareon said: I'm guessing the Souvenirs never came with the sword belt as the sword belt has two clips and the saya only has one ashi I think I might have one on file with a belt, but I suspect that was added by the collector. As to the number of kaikan (ashi), you are assuming the belt would be Navy. Army, after 1938, used one kaikan, one hanger. But remember, these souvenir swords are neither Army nor Navy. They intentionally used mixed fittings. It became illegal to sell war weapons and ship them. These were made so they were clearly never a military item. 1 Quote
Lareon Posted July 20 Report Posted July 20 The belt with mine is navy but I just assumed it was added by the previous owner. 1 Quote
Rawa Posted July 21 Report Posted July 21 Boyz as suvenir and being nlf think about this configuration. [Convincing to potential buyer] Imagine trying to run on land with navy black belt and sword attached on 2 stripes. But basic idea was to fight with small gun in one hand and sword in the other [after using whistle or sth] Quote
Lareon Posted July 22 Report Posted July 22 @Bruce Pennington received and in hand, only a small anchor stamp and the number is correct. I can see the nakago has been cut off crudely at the end. seems so strange to put so much effort into these then just roughly cut the nakago at the end, it's not even straight. the belt that came with it seems to have a name written in ink inside of it (while not related to the souvenir mounted sword i assume, it's a nice thing to find) says Matsunaga Seiichiro Quote
Jcstroud Posted August 1 Report Posted August 1 It is my belief that these swords originally had a 1 shaku nakago used for officer training.were then collected and fitted with standard length koshirai . 1 Quote
Jcstroud Posted August 7 Report Posted August 7 On 7/15/2025 at 5:21 PM, Lareon said: Didn't have a Souvenir in my collection but got this Toyosuke recently. Not in hand so can't send any more photos yet for you Bruce. Nice blades I have two posted prior #45 and #34 would love to see more photos if you would please. Quote
Lareon Posted August 7 Report Posted August 7 Just now, Jcstroud said: Nice blades I have two posted prior #45 and #34 would love to see more photos if you would please. sure thing, I forgot to actually take the photos of this blade but when I'm back home (i travel a lot) I need to setup my backdrop and take some photos. As soon as I'm home I'll post them here for you 1 Quote
Jcstroud Posted August 7 Report Posted August 7 You can also search a prior thread titled: who was Toyosuke 4 minutes ago, Lareon said: sure thing, I forgot to actually take the photos of this blade but when I'm back home (i travel a lot) I need to setup my backdrop and take some photos. As soon as I'm home I'll post them here for you Quote
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