Gunto with long Chounsai Emura mei

Rawa · September 4

As I heard shorter mei is indication that blade was made by Emura in person but this one have long nice mei and is 27,5 inch long.

https://www.liveauctioneers.com/item/213724079_wwii-Japanese-shin-gunto-made-by-chounsai-emura-tallahassee-fl?utm_source=LA_Mobile_Share&utm_medium=mobile&utm_campaign=LAiOSshare

I would like to hear your opinion on mei and blade too. Maybe someone more knowledgable want to share with me?

Rawa · September 4

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

M version of mei [Bishu Chounsai Emura saku]

For future reference in linked yt video:

-statement that blades with this mei were made in prison and by Emura himself.

-3 signs mei are made by his students.

https://youtu.be/h4Xvq_sog2U?si=8nKGFDN9ekYA9LOh

George KN · September 10

I watched the video, but I didn't see any evidence apart from his own opinion that the longer type of mei actually differentiated between Emura and his students?

Also, how much did that sword sell for?

Rawa · September 26

Got the package worst part in pic. Wonder your opinion if such a kissaki is worthy salvaging.

Brian · September 26

Plenty of boshi left, well worth saving.

Rawa · September 26

17 minutes ago, Brian said:

Plenty of boshi left, well worth saving.

Thx boss. I knew it would require repolish but this kissaki made me confused. At least no "hakobore"

Karu · September 26

Marcin you won the auction ? Congrats

its the first time I see that mei but Emura had plenty so I think its hard to know if he made it himself.

Also, its the first time I see an Emura blade with a bo-hi

Will you get it polished ?

Rawa · September 27

6 hours ago, Karu said:

Marcin you won the auction ? Congrats

its the first time I see that mei but Emura had plenty so I think its hard to know if he made it himself.

Also, its the first time I see an Emura blade with a bo-hi

Will you get it polished ?

Yes when I saw it I knew It's worthy and would require more money.

It's variation of example "K/M" from his years as head of the prison [supposedly 1940-1943]

https://japaneseswordindex.com/emura.htm

Even important quote:

"Kiyoshi Morita noted that Emura exhibited his swords at the 1st Gunto exhibition in 1943; these were signed as being from Doshu in Kochi prefecture (mei "F"), not from Bishu in Okayama (mei "H,K,M"). This would lead one to speculate that before 1940 Emura was in Takamatsu city in Kagawa prefecture in Shikoku. Around 1940 he was located in Okayama prefecture (Bishu-mei ("H,K,M")) as the head of the Okayama prison, then around 1943 he returned to Kochi prefecture (Doshu-mei "F"). Probably various mei were used as he was the head of Okayama prison and traveled considerably"

It have crest and nice fittings with open tsuba example.

Edited September 27 by Rawa

Karu · September 27

Interesting thanks

Hope it wasn't to expensive when you add buyer's premium, shipping fees, and probably custom fees ?

+ Polishing... Not sure if its really worth but I hope youll enjoy when it comes back

btw that menuki looks really nice

Rawa · September 27

1 hour ago, Karu said:

Interesting thanks

Hope it wasn't to expensive when you add buyer's premium, shipping fees, and probably custom fees ?

+ Polishing... Not sure if its really worth but I hope youll enjoy when it comes back

btw that menuki looks really nice

Looked like it needed around 5k$ more of investment so it wasn't "worthy" from beginning. :laughing: At least in monetary terms. Only tokuho would be somewhat worthy of fuss.

Edited September 27 by Rawa

charlesf · September 27

Well done on winning this sword and for sharing it with us,would you be kind enough to show the yasurime above the mei as well as the nakago jiri?

Thanks and regards,

charles.

Rawa · September 27

43 minutes ago, charlesf said:

Well done on winning this sword and for sharing it with us,would you be kind enough to show the yasurime above the mei as well as the nakago jiri?

Thanks and regards,

charles.

Dunno how to explain that buying sword in such a shape wasn't with profit in mind.

charlesf · September 28

Many thanks for posting the extra images,nice silver foil wrapped habaki,the way the groove extends into the nakago is also a nice feature,the patina shows it is original,I have seen gendaito with bo-hi that looked as though they were recent additions for practitioners of iaido,usually in modern koshirae.

I think you have a nice package,good length,bo-hi,family mon,the condition can be improved with a good soak in a light oil then prolonged wiping with crushed tissue or well folded and creased paper kitchen towel which should remove surface dirt.

I don't think profit enters the equation if you have something that you can appreciate and enjoy.Over the course of 40+ years that I've been involved with this interest I have owned hundreds of swords,many of which I lost money on when I sold them but I never considered it a loss,rather a part of the learning curve that can't be found in books,so be happy!

Regards,

charles.