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Posted

I will try and get better pictures I’m going by Koto because it’s in description and by the looks of the age look of the tang although I could be wrong 

Posted

Steve, may I suggest you acquire the book, Craft of the Japanese sword.   What you appear to be lacking is, the ability to "Look into a Sword".   Learn what features are desirable in each tradition.  

On the sword above, looks Shinto to me and of not very high quality.

  • Like 3
Posted

Here’s the sellers description 

This is a extraordinary and hard to find ww2 Japanese sword this belongs to a high ranking officer that was allowed to carry he’s old descendent blade into the war using the custom order navy Kay gunto mount thia blade has a magnificent well preserved polish ease to enjoy all the details of the smith work this sword has not been presented for evaluation before directly from the official family to you hand this sword is very very healthy no fatal kizu of any kind very light wait and very sharp a great package for any collector hard to let this one go very recommend???!

Posted

Hi Steven,

It's traditionally made and I'd agree with David that it's a shinto blade: the condition of the tang points that way and, for me, the overall shape looks like that which was in vogue around Kanbun so 1660s would be my guess. Unsigned shinto blades aren't very desireable for non-military sword collectors, but an antique blade in kai gunto mounts might have some appeal to you military sword guys - sorry, can't say anything about the fittings as they aren't my thing. 

Posted
19 hours ago, Swords said:

help with this sword

Steve:

In my opinion, 3.5k for this sword is too much (unless the blade could paper as something special, which I don't believe it could). The area around the boshi looks like it has seen a grinder (see pic). The description is hopeful at best. "High ranking" officer? What gives that impression? Koto blade? Again, how is he coming to that conclusion? Never mind the poor grammar and low feedback. 

A separate question would be to figure out what your collecting goals are. Genuine WWII item with a WWII made blade or an older samurai-era blade that has just happened to be repurposed in WWII koshirae. 

John C.

 

Screenshot 2025-09-28 at 6.40.57 AM.png

  • Like 2
Posted

John I agree Good catch on the grinder

How and why was that done? I agree on it not being signed As pointed out by another Not defined No hamon Probably disappeared over time It needs a polish Not worth putting another 3000 into it

Time to hit the books I’ve been slacking off 

I have been looking for a nice Kai Gunto just can’t seem to find the right one

Most are stainless and traditional are hard to find

Good advice 


 

 

Steve

 

 

 

 

Posted
2 hours ago, Swords said:

traditional are hard to find

For traditional kai gunto, I would read Malcolm Cox's excellent manuscripts on Naval Part 1 (updated) and Naval Part 2 (updated) in the Downloads section. Focus specifically on KJT smiths, the navy equivalent of an RJT (some were both). Once you get a list of names, you can search for just those smiths when hunting for swords.

 

John C.

  • Like 2
  • Thanks 1
Posted

 

4 hours ago, Swords said:

What would a fair price for this sword

Steve:

For 3.5k I would rather have a legit KJT. Yoshiteru, Kanenari, Tadatsugu, Mitsuyasu, Kaneyoshi all made traditional swords for the Navy.

 

John C.

  • Like 1
Posted

Thanks John Eric blocked me even though I bought over 10000 worth of swords from him 

so would have made an offer It’s been for sale a long time His loss I bought a acid etched Sukasada sword from his buddy Matt and took a 4000 loss

I m the one who shouldn’t waste my time with him 

  • Sad 1
Posted

Eric is a straight up no-nonsense dealer. I don't think he's the type to look at offers. He has a captive market and deals in higher end stuff. Not someone desperate for a sale and I don't think offers are his sort of thing.
I'd happily deal with him, you just have to know and understand him and his market.

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