WW2 Japanese OFFICERS GUNTO GENDAITO SWORD SIGNED KANEKUNI

[Swords]

This sword is Gendaito according to the description however it looks like a cherry blossom on the tang?

it also has swirls on the lower part of the blade which I find unusual I know this dealer and never had a problem 

I need help with this one 

 

steve

 

 

 

[GeorgeLuucas]

I would request more photos, especially of the nakago

 

Hard to see, but that kind of looks like an arsenal stamp. Which would suggest it’s Showato rather than Gendaito. Looks like maybe a gifu stamp, or anchor?

 

The bold hada would give me pause also… not sure what to make of that  

 

If I were considering this purchase, I’d ask for a lot more photos 

 

best of luck,
edited for clarity,

-Sam

Edited September 17, 2023 by GeorgeLuucas

[ROKUJURO]

I don't see a HAMON, just HADORI. Maybe it's the photos.

[Ooitame]

Agree with Sam, the hada looks like a possible acid dip/polish. Photos are hard to use for anything else, need better pics.

[John C]

3 hours ago, Swords said:

This sword is Gendaito

He's probably using the word "gendaito" the way komonjo does - just meaning "modern era" rather than traditionally made.

Here's a link to the pics and description https://www.ebay.com/itm/404467698567?hash=item5e2c274b87:g:wp4AAOSwYjtk8Kld&amdata=enc%3AAQAIAAAA4GdGB2zbC3WYy6gZC88HoNMPBqw68aAvAJ8YMaLjC4YRmVJEL2CDnYW%2FrBwsRCiolaLPQffIr3DqeZC5W3gkCZxD1BwBJ%2BpHBfeBoctV1XRnh6JRCKI%2B9mzUO6ACeMd7ke%2FS6oCNWtygNlH7no70Yu6cKpbkcdVR9TTnP5W2FwjrwkPCqkFBBnIM8J4uEkzH1RvxLeIS5Wil4ocBsIYqXcll2CWODayYRo%2BD7DDp6LUClp1GPmXPsuJrVbBz3DUP3il1EYAzR55bIePO80iq5BmxdhaYVJuUNVypfx8FPaYc|tkp%3ABk9SR56bxsXUYg

John C.

[Swords]

I got more pictures 

My sword Ikkansai Yoshihiro or was my sword since I sold it produced a hada almost Damascus-type of steel similar to  this one

My question is did this smith KANEKUNI

Also produce the same style Or is it acid etched? 
 

I wanted to add the stamp is a Showa dose that make it Gendaito or arsenal?

This guy always sold good swords on EBay and have bought from him

So unless I’m 100% sure it’s not a Gendaito Or acid sketched I’m not pointing fingers just a discussion 

 

 

 

 

 

[GeorgeLuucas]

I believe the Showa stamp indicates that the sword is not traditionally made in some way

[Swords]

Yes probably not so is it folded or not 

[Bruce Pennington]

Here’s the full nakago

 

As for that hada, there are legitimate swords made with that sort of pattern that can easily be mistaken for Damascus steel. In this case, it looks to me like it was acid treated.

 

The Showa stamp is most likely indicative of a non-traditionally made blade. However, there are a few examples out there where people are convinced their blade is traditional.

[Brian]

It's not traditionally made. Yes, it's forged and folded. Likely with Western steel or nickel prolific steel added in to produce that pattern.
Regardless, it would not be considered Gendaito.

[Swords]

I hear it’s acid etched than not traditional made I am surprised if it was etched considering the Ebayer is known and sells good swords 

 

 

 

Thanks for the feedback 

 

 

[PNSSHOGUN]

Not sure about it being acid etched, the polish appears to be wartime original. This effect comes from mixing different types of steels together to produce a distinct "O-Hada/Hadamono" style. 

 

All of this information has been discussed before and can be found with simple searches.

[Bruce Pennington]

13 hours ago, Swords said:

I hear it’s acid etched than not traditional made I am surprised if it was etched considering the Ebayer is known and sells good swords 

 

 

 

Thanks for the feedback 

 

 

I would go by John’s opinion, mine is very inexperienced in those matters.

[Swords]

Moving on I wanted to show my takayama sword I bought from this seller for 1000

I believe these swords are rare since I never see another 

Its in mint condition except for a split on the scabbard but it’s sound and don’t really notice it

I tried cutting a piece of paper and cut through it I was surprised it’s so sharp considering the age

 

I removed The cloth since it pretty much fell apart liked paper machete 

 

 

steve

[Swords]

I stand corrected I didn’t mean I never saw another However these swords don’t come up for sale often and in this condition 

 

 

 

 

Steve
 

 

 

[GeorgeLuucas]

I'm just a low-level militaria collector, and nihonto novice - so please take my following statement with a grain of salt:

I think you got a great deal with that sword for $1000; it looks really nice. 
Personally, if I were considering spending ~$2500 on a gunto, I would not spend it on the sword in question; from the eBay link. 

Best of luck,
Cheers,
-Sam
Edit: I hope i'm not breaking any rules here - opinionating on the price of a sale... If so, my apologies, and please delete

Edited September 20, 2023 by GeorgeLuucas
edit:

[Swords]

George To each his own Trying to find a nice takayama sword for me was hard 

And in this condition I’ll give you a little history about this since you may not have it

 

 

[John C]

4 hours ago, Swords said:

I removed The cloth since it pretty much fell apart liked paper machete 

Steve:

Did you have the surrender tag translated? Part of it looks like a date to me but I would be interested to know who the owner may have been.

John C.

[Bruce Pennington]

8 hours ago, Swords said:

a little history

Takayama got transferred to China so he could test his blade design. It is said he used it on 2 to 4 dozen Chinese POWs. He was tried after the war in Absentia for the crime, however, he had fled to the countryside and hid on a farm until amnesty was declared.

[Swords]

John I actually had it translated by a Japanese guy I know

It was supposedly used for sports in the 30s

The cloth pretty much fell apart due to my stupidity handling it too much 

 

I didn’t know 2-4 dozen that’s a lot of heads

My sword  can still cut paper easily 

Thanks for the feed back 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Jcstroud]

3 hours ago, Swords said:

was supposedly used for sports in the 30s

Hey swords lucky man you are.could you tell me the length of the Nakago I would really like to know.   Please.

John S.

[Swords]

Im visiting family but will get measurements when I get back