Inherited Gunto Katana in bad shape - what to do with it?

[Rentokill]

I inherited a Gunto katana from my father; unfortunately, upon closer inspection, it’s in much worse condition than was apparent during the years it hung on the wall. I’ve attached some photos; the biggest issue is the broken tsuka. The break was apparently caused by moisture seeping in through the upper menuki hole (the pins are unfortunately missing). The upper third of the tang is still embedded in the handle, which is also broken. I realize that this essentially renders the sword "dead", which is very unfortunate since, as is clearly visible at the break, it was clearly folded/forged and not factory-cast. 
Is there anything that can even be done with an object like this? I actually wanted to hang it on the wall myself, but it’s truly painful to look at now that I know it’s do heavily damaged. I would be very grateful for an expert opinion. 

 

[John C]

Hello:

You could have it polished, however some of those chips are fairly deep. Honestly, with the price of a polish and the amount of damage on the blade, I would just hang it back on the wall and revel in the history of it. Maybe clean the handle with a soft brush.

 

John C.

[Grey Doffin]

Hi Markus,

Your sword isn't a gunto (military sword). It is an older samurai sword. If I were in your position I would:

1. Whittle a new mekugi (menuki are the ornaments under the handle wrap; mekugi is a pin to hold the sword together) from a bamboo chopstick. The pin is incredibly important; don't delay.

2. Look for a collector/collectors' group that is strong on knowledge and honesty who can give you a better idea what you have.

3. If you are going to take other photos, use a dark background. Details will be more visible.

Here you will find a care and handling brochure: https://nbthk-ab2.org/sword-characteristics/

You should read it.

Best, Grey

[Brian]

The tsuka is the handle...don't see a break, where is it broken?
The nakago is the tang....they has snapped and is now shorter. But it doesn't render the sword dead. It still displays fine. The chips are large, but if they don't go through the hamon, then it isn't fatally flawed, just ugly. You could easily put it together, follow Grey's advice, and have a nice and genuine display piece.

[Rentokill]

On 4/17/2026 at 11:38 AM, Brian said:

The tsuka is the handle...don't see a break, where is it broken?
The nakago is the tang....they has snapped and is now shorter. But it doesn't render the sword dead. It still displays fine. The chips are large, but if they don't go through the hamon, then it isn't fatally flawed, just ugly. You could easily put it together, follow Grey's advice, and have a nice and genuine display piece.

Hey Brian, the break is pretty much in the middle of the handle, I pushed it together a bit so it actually doesnt look damaged but it is really only held together by the wrapping. Yes, I suppose taking a bit of care of it and repairing whatever I can would be in the best interest of the weapon, as opposed to being stripped for spare parts (I hear there is a market for single koshira or fuchi). But I will need to check out what Grey posted first, I would really like to go about it in as much of a proper fashion as possible. Starts with the blade, that thing is awfully spotty as well, the kissaki seems to have frickin wall-paint on it, and there is stuff that looks like glue on the blade as well... ugh. how do I get rid of all of this without ruining the blade? AI tells me to use camelia oil for the surface, not sure if THAT would be the right way or if I would be better off with some original Japanese oil... sounds like a longer project, but an interesting one. 

[Rentokill]

On 4/17/2026 at 10:57 AM, Grey Doffin said:

Hi Markus,

Your sword isn't a gunto (military sword). It is an older samurai sword. If I were in your position I would:

1. Whittle a new mekugi (menuki are the ornaments under the handle wrap; mekugi is a pin to hold the sword together) from a bamboo chopstick. The pin is incredibly important; don't delay.

2. Look for a collector/collectors' group that is strong on knowledge and honesty who can give you a better idea what you have.

3. If you are going to take other photos, use a dark background. Details will be more visible.

Here you will find a care and handling brochure: https://nbthk-ab2.org/sword-characteristics/

You should read it.

Best, Grey

Hey Grey, big thanks for your feedback. It seems nursing the sword back to a semblance of its old glory will be a bit of a journey, especially if attempted in a proper fashion. My problem is that I wouldn't even know where to start as most of the everyday methods of cleaning a "tool" simply are not applicable. How do I get off all of the dirt and what seems to be glue and wall-paint (?) on the blade? What is the proper oil for blade care, should I get the rust off the nakago, if so - how, should I try to retrieve the broken-off part (it may or may not have etchings telling me a bit more about the sword's history), etc etc. I have taken a look at the page you linked, that looks helpful, thank you very much. And the bit about a collector's group sounds like good advice, too. 

[Grey Doffin]

Hi Markus,

Don't try to fix the sword yourself; leave it be until you can show it to someone. Never clean rust from the nakago; never.

Are you certain there is a bottom of the nakago stuck in the handle? If you can lower a small magnet into the handle, if it doesn't stick to anything there probably isn't a piece of the nakago inside.

Any case, don't be in a hurry for anything with the sword. It will be fine as is until you can get help (it isn't going to fall apart tomorrow).

Grey

[Rentokill]

8 hours ago, Grey Doffin said:

Hi Markus,

Don't try to fix the sword yourself; leave it be until you can show it to someone. Never clean rust from the nakago; never.

Are you certain there is a bottom of the nakago stuck in the handle? If you can lower a small magnet into the handle, if it doesn't stick to anything there probably isn't a piece of the nakago inside.

Any case, don't be in a hurry for anything with the sword. It will be fine as is until you can get help (it isn't going to fall apart tomorrow).

Grey

Hey Grey, well I would like to give it a try myself - as the item apparently is not fit for sale, and I am not willing to pay 3000 Euros for a professional polish (an offer I saw yesterday, and which I am sure is fair for a vintage blade), I really don't have many options. I wrote to half a dozen specialists yesterday (all here in Germany) but so far have not heard back from them. Why can't I remove the rust from the nakago? Because it's part of the patina?

Yes I am quite sure the remaining piece of the nakago is still inside the handle, I don't know where else it  would be? I doubt that I could get it out with a magnet, I just tried a neodymium magnet against the remaining piece of the nakago and the attraction wasn't very strong even under these rather good conditions.  Unwrapping / unknotting the ito to be able to remove the pommel is not an option either, the leather is SO old, it has hardened to a semblance of plastic. 

Which brings me to a basic question - how much restoring is adequate, where do you cross the line to "this isn't the original sword anymore"? At which point would the original maker say "you dishonor my craftsmanship", or would he go, "Eh, that needs to be fixed, do what is necessary"? 

Edited April 19 by Rentokill

[Grey Doffin]

Hi Markus,

Yes; cleaning the nakago can remove patina, which is important. Don't do it. Your nakago has been shortened but it is much more likely that the rest of it was lost centuries ago when last shortened than that it is stuck in the bottom of your handle. Get an ice pick and see if you run into metal or wood when you tap it inside the handle.

From what I know about your sword, I can tell you that it is somewhere between hopelessly compromised and an important, valuable relic badly in need of competent restoration. No body can know for sure just where it falls from a few photos online. Seriously, it may be much better than it seems. I repeat: you would be smart to find honest, knowledgeable advise from in-hand examination before doing anything to change the sword.

Grey

[Rentokill]

3 hours ago, Grey Doffin said:

Hi Markus,

Yes; cleaning the nakago can remove patina, which is important. Don't do it. Your nakago has been shortened but it is much more likely that the rest of it was lost centuries ago when last shortened than that it is stuck in the bottom of your handle. Get an ice pick and see if you run into metal or wood when you tap it inside the handle.

From what I know about your sword, I can tell you that it is somewhere between hopelessly compromised and an important, valuable relic badly in need of competent restoration. No body can know for sure just where it falls from a few photos online. Seriously, it may be much better than it seems. I repeat: you would be smart to find honest, knowledgeable advise from in-hand examination before doing anything to change the sword.

Grey

Well YOU seem to be a rather knowledgeable fellow, looking at your website over here... Yes I should be patient. I just checked the handle, there IS something stuck halfway back in there. but I cannot tell what it is, it's simply too far in. 

Would you KNOW someone you'd consider to be an expert on this matter?

[Brian]

Grey is OG as far as the Nihonto world goes. You can take what he says as Gospel.
Is the tsuka break clean? Do the edges go back together cleanly? If so, anyone with some time could glue very carefully, and press together in a padded vise, and it would likely never break again. Tap repeatedly on a plastic cutting board or something to see if you can dislodge what's in there. Or get someone at a local gunshop or doctors office to scope it with a bore scope. Or even X Ray it. Dentist's office?