G'day fm john.m kai gunto

[Gaffa]

G'day all.

 

about thirty years ago I was a student of the art of the Japanese sword and at that time had a blade which came as I'm led to believe in Navy mounts and furniture. This blade I believe is a Seiki arsenal blade and, although no where near the standard of the blades discussed here is a beautiful balanced for one who studies the use of the blade.

 

Strange as it may be this blade has in the past thirty years left my side three times and, through circumstances always returns to me. I suppose I better hang onto it and use it as a base to start my collection of blades and Tsuba's.

 

Now in my 60's the interest of the Japanese blade has been re awakened, searching for knowledge and understanding of a most complex subject. Although a lurker on the site I do read your points of view with great interest. It is my intention to add to my small collection as knowledge and funds permit.

 

If you are interest in seeing this original WWII blade I will try to post some photos.

john.m

[John A Stuart]

Hi John, Always interested in seeing pictures of swords. Thanks, John

[Brian]

Welcome John,

 

A lot of us started out with a military sword or 2, and then found ourselves plunged headlong into the wonderful world of Nihonto. Hope we can be of some assistance. (Does that make us addiction enablers? )

 

Regards,

Brian

[Bungo]

" Does that make us addiction enablers? "

 

you sound very presidential..............

 

milt

[Gaffa]

Morning all,

thank you for the welcome and for being so open minded as to allow me to show and discuss a 'kai gunto' blade here on this forum.

 

Photo 001

Shows the blade in its Imperial Japanese Navy furniture, although I am led to believe that the black leather saya cover was for use in the field. You will note that the tsuba (guard) and sepa (washer/ disc) are different from those that are mounted on the Imperial Japanese Army blades. In some ways it depics a rising sun motif. The brown tassel when applied to Navy blades denotes that the blade was issued to a Japanese Naval Officer.

 

PHOTO 002

I would draw your attention to the kashira (Pommel cap) and Fuchi (Handle cap) these on this early numbered blade appear to be of better quality and sharpness than many I have seen on latter issued blades.

 

Photo 004

The primary blade length from front of tsuba to the point is 26 and a quarter inches

 

Photo 005

I believe this blade to be in good condition, the surface is clean and unmarked.

 

Photo 006

The furniture matches the blade, all items are numbered 394 and this number can be plainly seen on all item , please note the same number in the file marks on the tang of the blade. The sam'e (rayskin) is black, the menuki (grip swells) are present but have deteriorated and lost their shine. The ito (braid) has worn well but is broken on the far side where some one cut it to remove the cane pin.

 

To the best of my memory the habaki (blade collar) has not been replaced, but it might have been as it bears no serial number.

 

I would be most interested in your comments.

[Stephen]

a quick look shows us its a stainless steel blade, the tassle may have been added on as its mounted in the hanger, under the leather cover is it a plan black wood saya? fittings shot is too far away to see what your talking about as far as how well its made.

[Gaffa]

Morning all,

 

thank you for your interest. Most of us are aware that there were several types of arsenal blades issued to the Imperial Japanese Army and Imperial Japanese Naval forces. But I believe that on this Navy blade or 'kai gunto' ,that the fuchi and kashira appear to be of better quality that what I have seen on the Army blades.

 

PHOTO kai gunto kashira.jpg .

Firstly Stephen, I apologizes for the terrible photos, The digital camera I have is better suited for taking photos out the bush. So I hope these will do. I used the words better quality in my past post, but what I believe I'm alluding to is that the imprint pattern on the kishira is still fresh as it may have been produced while the jig/mold was still new. The blades number is very low and might indercate that it was one of the first produced. In addition I note that the army kashira's seems to be painted in by someone with the skills of a two year old, while the IJN seemed to retain the look of the natural metal.

 

PHOTO kai gunto fuchi.jpg

 

On army blades the fuchi has a hole in it with a button to release the blade from the saya. The Navy seemed to do without this refinement.

 

In answer to your question the saya is plain black under the leather cover.

 

regards