Kai Gunto - Just Sharing Excitement

[Erwin]

Hi all,

 

This post is only to share my excitment with respect to one of the latest purchases, a Kai Gunto made by Nagata Sukenori.

 

I have done most of the research already so no particular questions although I cannot find too much information around this smid. What I found I added to the photoshoot in the pictures attached. Although the Katana is in a great condition overal, I think the blade has not been treated well. The hammon is only very slightly visible unfortunately andfor sure a polish would bring it back alive.

 

Anyhow, just though it would be nice to show.

 

Best regards

Erwin

[IJASWORDS]

Hi Erwin, nice KAI GUNTO. Hold off on the polish is my advice, and enjoy the originality of the sword. The fittings look good, and makes a nice package to study. I couldn't find out any more info on smith, if you find more please update us all. Congratulations. Neil.  

[ROKUJURO]

The blade is probably not cast, but mostly machine made.

[Erwin]

Hi Jean,

Why do you think it is mostly mchine made? Just trying to understand the rationale behind it.

Thank you

Erwin

[Bruce Pennington]

Erwin,

The Seki stamp says that it's not traditionally made. I don't like the term "machine made" because officer swords were made buy people. Some used hydraulic hammers instead of apprentices slinging sledgehammers. The NCO gunto used the highest amount of mechanization.

[Dave R]

 Properly speaking, there is no such thing as a machine made blade, there are blades made with the aid of machines, but that is another matter. Have a look through the forum for the various discussions on this subject.

[Stephen]

Really cant see the blade to tell much. Fav Kai gunto tsuba set up, well done!

[Erwin]

Thank you for your comments and was my understanding as well that the term: with the aid of machines, does more right to the work and craftmanship going into producing the blade.

 

Of course, with the Seki stamp applied, it is certainly not traditionally made but believe the overal set-up is nice and indeed, the sun ray Tsuba assembly is also my fav set-up and love the details.

 

With best regards and have a lovely day

 

Erwin

[vajo]

Erwin i had 2 Kai Gunto in my collection well signed Nakago and sold them further. I think that the saya of yours i sprayed black. I dont know what you have paid for the Kai Gunto but it is not worth to spend more money in that Sword. Belive me. Look for a mint Kai Gunto with a good looking same saya and fittings in better condition and a good blade. 

 

I sold mine very cheap and it takes one year to sell it.

 

 

 

Chris

[Bruce Pennington]

Erwin, it's a beauty, and I've always loved the brass rising sun seppa too!

[Erwin]

Thank you for your advise Chris and will take this into account

 

In the end of the day, and in the future, I will most likely sell it further if I see an opportunity. No rush in that respect.

 

Best regards

Erwin

[vajo]

Erwin, it's a beauty, and I've always loved the brass rising sun seppa too!

Yes but it should be in black.  

[Bruce Pennington]

Yes but it should be in black.  

The standard ones were, but there was an upgrade that was gold/brass. Here's a pic from Ohmura's site: http://ohmura-study.net/732.html

[IJASWORDS]

Hi Erwin, the KAI GUNTO is a beautiful WW2 sword, and I don't think they get the recognition they deserve. One of the reasons is that a large number were made with stainless steel blades, and the nihonto purist shunned them. I happen to love all KAIs, and collect them (not in stainless steel). The Seppa range in finish from plain brass to highlighted gold plating. The rising sun Seppa is a beautiful thing to behold.

Don't be put off yours, it is a good example to keep and study. Neil

[Erwin]

Hi Neil,

 

Thank you for the excitment & passion you always bring to the table and the impressive pictures of your collection.

Do not get me wrong, I still love to see the Kai from Sukenori and from all the versiosn I had this one still feels as one with quality, great fitting & stirdy. The fact the hammon is only visible at roughly 25% of the blade is a bit of a pitty but this also is a result of history, as to where it has been and in which conditions.  

 

thanks again and have a great day

 

Erwin

[cisco-san]

Hi Erwin,

 

not much information about this smith available (from Markus book):

SUKENORI (祐則), Shōwa (昭和, 1926-1989), Gifu – “Sukenori” (祐則), real name Nagata Eiichi (永田栄一), born August 28th 1910, he worked as guntō smith

[Stephen]

The copper mimi is a upgrade the guy had some coin, never say never in Gunto koshrai 

[vajo]

No Stephen i don't think so. The Koshirae is rubbed in my opinion. Look at the kashira the blossoms are all pure copper. Normal it was gold plated, like the ashi, the fuchi, kabutogane and the ishizuke. I saw this rubbed parts at my two Kai Gunto too. When you look with a very good magnifying glass you see maybe goldplating there. But, maybe you are right and this is a downgrade? 

 

Do you remember my crew gunto i showed here. The first thing Brian said the copper tsuba is rubbed. I thought that was an individual upgrade. But Brian was right. 

 

Maybe the officers on board cleaned often thier swords?

[Bruce Pennington]

I see what you me - even the black of the tsuba is gone where it is exposed (still there where the seppa covers it). I have seen many kaigunto with the gold-giliding gone from the saya fittings, but I've never seen the tsuba black gone. This does seem intentional. It looks good that way, but not original.

[Stephen]

SO they rubbed it then gilded the mimi?

[vajo]

Look at Ohmuras site. The black of many Tsuba has gone at the mimi. They all was complete deep with black Seppa and Tsuba.

But the black has gone and i think that the rubbed then to shining metal for a better look.

 

Thats my personal opinion - not more and i did not say I'm right. 

[Stephen]

Mimi is gold plated to my 

[Bruce Pennington]

Sorry to bother guys, buts what da heck is a "Mimi?"

[Baka Gaijin]

Hi Bruce,

 

Mimi 耳 みみ usually refers to edges, rims etc, mostly on Tsuba but you will find the term applied to Okimono.

 

Literally "the Ears"  of an item.

 

https://www.japaneseswordindex.com/tsuba.htm

 

Also on a blade, you have an Ear shaped effect in hamon which is known as Mimigata. 

[Ian B3HR2UH]

I agree with Chris the O seppa and the visible part of the tsuba have clearly been overcleaned . The mimi ( or rim ) looks an even lighter colour as it has been cleaned back to brass.

Ian Brooks

[Stephen]

so now you got this going from copper to brass? 

 

 

[vajo]

From Ohmuras Website.

 

Type Tachi

　　　　Metal fittings (pommel, ferrule, throat, the first - the second suspension mount, semegane, chape) 

              The product made from a brass casting. Compared with an army, there was few work absolutely, and the

　　　　production company was also restricted. Therefore, except for a landing force or the great war last

              stage, the quality and the gap of a shape like an army Guntō are not. 

              Guard: Product made from a brass casting. 

 

 

 

Stephen i don't think that this one is a copper tsuba. But who know's? No, i've never seen a regular copper tsuba on a Kai Gunto.

And this one is a regular tsuba, i bet.

[Stephen]

Erwin you have a nice sword there, it will cut!

[PNSSHOGUN]

I believe post war meddling on the tsuba and seppa.

[Brian]

Whether or not, doesn't detract too much from what is a very nice sword. Congrats Erwin