george trotter Posted December 7 Report Posted December 7 Just thought I'd ask about the value of original WWII sword bags, I know most are plain or made of lovely embroidered silk (like most sword bags), but what about this one? It is made of three small hi-no-maru sunball flags and two rising sun flags. Inside is lined with plain material and it is still on a WWII good quality bring back sword. Any ideas of historic worth or monetary value? It's not a subject I've ever thought about before but a collector friend saw it recently and said "wow - that is sooo cool!"....and I agree....so I thought I'd ask the board. Regards, George. 7 2 Quote
Rawa Posted December 7 Report Posted December 7 (edited) Is this genuine? Would you use flags for bag? Japanese Empire btw. not current times. Edited December 7 by Rawa 2 Quote
eternal_newbie Posted December 7 Report Posted December 7 1 hour ago, Rawa said: Is this genuine? Would you use flags for bag? They made bags out of all sorts of fabrics that were no longer fit for their original use. Obi, kimono, yukata, banners... if it was cloth and sturdy enough, people would find a way to reuse it. Quote
PNSSHOGUN Posted December 7 Report Posted December 7 Something not seen very often these days as many were discarded over the years. Not sure if you could put a monetary value on one, but the historical value is significant as occasionally the officers wrote their details on them. Two swords in my small collection still retain original bags, unfortunately one is in tatters but was happy to keep it with the sword. The son of the WWII veteran confirmed it came to his father with the same bag. Others have come with bags that could certainly be original but the post war provenance isn't known. 1: Kai Gunto surrendered in Dutch Borneo 2: Yasumitsu from a US Lt. Colonel 5 1 Quote
Rawa Posted December 7 Report Posted December 7 (edited) 1 hour ago, eternal_newbie said: They made bags out of all sorts of fabrics that were no longer fit for their original use. Obi, kimono, yukata, banners... if it was cloth and sturdy enough, people would find a way to reuse it. Men so this bag was made after war - thats my opinion. No one would use this type of source material during ww2 Edited December 7 by Rawa 2 Quote
george trotter Posted December 7 Author Report Posted December 7 4 hours ago, Rawa said: Is this genuine? Would you use flags for bag? Japanese Empire btw. not current times. Marcin, Yes the bag is genuine and is well made...it has some wear on the inside where the hilt ends, obviously from the rubbing it received when folded over the hilt end and tied up, so I do think it has 'always' been with this sword. The sword came from a returned soldiers widow who only knew that he acquired it in the Pacific but knew no more of her husband's / the sword's history. Personally, I always thought it was made by the Japanese officer's wife and was made of national flags to reflect the officer's patriotism. To me, this sword bag 'displays' the WWII patriotism of the Japanese officer who owned this sword and the patriotism and affection the officer's wife (who I presume made it) had for him and their country - I certainly do not think anyone would have criticised the officer or his wife for making a 'patriotic' bag out of small Japanese flags as this bag is not the type of item anyone would carry around on public display in the streets. . Considering all this, I wondered if members had any interest/regard for the history/value of these original WWII bags. I'd be interested in what members think of these matters. Regards, George. 6 Quote
jawob Posted December 7 Report Posted December 7 That is a very cool bag! You might try posting it on WAF forum if no luck getting info 1 Quote
Bruce Pennington Posted December 7 Report Posted December 7 I have never seen an original WWII bag for sale by itself. The new ones, from Japan, range from $50 to $200. Flags range from $50 to $1,000. I'd say you'd have carte blanche to ask whatever you like on such a unique item. 2 Quote
Scogg Posted December 8 Report Posted December 8 Had our PNW Token Kai this evening, and a friend of mine and club member has what I believe to be a wartime sword bag. The owner noted that it’s made of a very similar material that he’s observed on some Japanese uniforms. It definitely appears to have some age 8 1 Quote
george trotter Posted December 8 Author Report Posted December 8 Thanks guys...that plain WWII bag above is the type we most commonly see...that is why I was impressed with this 'flag bag' and decided to ask members here what they have seen, know about, or have bought or sold. Geo. 4 Quote
Scogg Posted December 8 Report Posted December 8 I see those unsigned flags go for around $100 at the militaria shows. Sometimes more, sometimes less. You've got 5 of them there, plus, I presume, some kind of liner. In my opinion that's around $500 in flags, maybe $50 for the liner. ~$550 in materials alone. Add the "cool factor" of it being a sword bag and accessory to a gunto? I agree with Bruce, that you can probably choose your price. I would not be surprised to see something like that go for around $1000; or add a premium to the sword. IMO, As someone who really likes these kinds of accessories. -Sam 2 Quote
MononobeNoTachi Posted December 9 Report Posted December 9 Had to compress to actually post the image and video. The bag in question is my own, and I bought it from an elderly gentleman online who lived in Japan. I've stored my tachi in it for awhile since I bought the bag. IMG_8199.mp4 4 Quote
Ian B3HR2UH Posted December 9 Report Posted December 9 I don't know if I have posted these before but if not here are a couple of mine with the officers names on them 6 3 1 Quote
Hector Posted December 9 Report Posted December 9 On 12/7/2025 at 7:24 PM, eternal_newbie said: They made bags out of all sorts of fabrics that were no longer fit for their original use. Obi, kimono, yukata, banners... if it was cloth and sturdy enough, people would find a way to reuse it. Totally agree. Post war, but this is one that was made from an old silk kimono. The Japanese love to recycle! 5 Quote
TheGalos Posted December 9 Report Posted December 9 On 12/7/2025 at 8:54 AM, Bruce Pennington said: I have never seen an original WWII bag for sale by itself. The new ones, from Japan, range from $50 to $200. Flags range from $50 to $1,000. I'd say you'd have carte blanche to ask whatever you like on such a unique item. I agree and also admire this item. Dm if intrested in selling. Quote
george trotter Posted December 10 Author Report Posted December 10 Thanks for the feedback guys. This is the only sword I have ever obtained that still had its WWII era swordbag...so it is interesting. Of course I would never separate it from its sword - I was just interested in what people thought of WWII era swordbags and their worth/historic value...etc. Very interesting. Geo. 2 Quote
Bruno Posted December 10 Report Posted December 10 Anyone know where replicas or similar Gunto bags can be purchase? Quote
george trotter Posted December 10 Author Report Posted December 10 Thanks guys. Glad it is of interest. About buying 'replica' bags Bruno, I don't recall ever seeing any WWII type replicas for sale. In my case, I purchased the usual sword bags found in TOKEN shops whenever I visited Japan (I think most of mine came from TOKEN SHIBATA in Ginza), these are all the usual silk/embroidered bags and are good quality, but they are the 'usual' type. Only this one made of flags is the original WWII period survivor that was (thankfully) kept with this sword. Regards, George. 1 Quote
MononobeNoTachi Posted December 11 Report Posted December 11 18 hours ago, Bruno said: Anyone know where replicas or similar Gunto bags can be purchase? Yahoo Japan auctions are the main areas you're going to find the bland IJA brown bags. 3 Quote
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.