Popularity of Mantetsu-to in Japan

[Gerry]

I'm always surprised by how popular koa isshin mantetsu swords are in Japan.

 

Considering that they aren't even traditionally made, and were mass produced, It's incredulous as to why anyone would pay 4.2M yen for this one listed below in tachi mounts. You can  easily get a pretty good Juyo level sword for that price.

 

https://www.jauce.com/auction/d1226389024

 

[John C]

The sword came with tons of paperwork, including a torokusho. I was under the impression torokusho could not be issued for non-traditionally made swords. Was this an early exception?

 

John C.

[Brian]

Just the usual one that slips through the cracks...lots of this happening. The law remains, but no-one is looking to make waves, so people with the right contacts get stuff done. Nothing unusual about it.
Price is due to the low number of registered/legal "Showato" and the low availability.

[Kiipu]

First time I have seen a complete assembly.  Even in the West, it would sale for a pretty penny.

 

I classify Mantetsu blades as traditional because of the water quenching.  This is the benchmark I use for blades made from 1934 to 1945.

@Stegel

[John C]

6 hours ago, Kiipu said:

This is the benchmark I use for blades made from 1934 to 1945

Thomas - regardless of the type of steel or if power equipment were used? If so, I could see how focusing on the process rather than the materials or equipment  could be be argued as traditional. 

 

John C.

[Kiipu]

Correct John, one needs to factor in the quantity of blades that were being made.  The Mantetsu was a modernized Nihontō and was water quenched.

 

I see three basic blade construction types for this time frame: 2 or more layers and water quenched, 2 or more layers and oil quenched, and finally one piece construction (such as a Type 95) and usually oil quenched.

 

I see the whole Imperial Japanese era (1868-1952) as falling into the realm of Japanese militaria collecting and not Nihontō collecting.  This is where the collecting market is at.  Your gas mileage my differ though!

[BANGBANGSAN]

On 4/22/2026 at 11:19 PM, Kiipu said:

First time I have seen a complete assembly.  Even in the West, it would sale for a pretty penny.

 

I classify Mantetsu blades as traditional because of the water quenching.  This is the benchmark I use for blades made from 1934 to 1945.

@Stegel @BANGBANGSAN

It was sold for 4.2 million yen, or roughly $26,000.

[Julien]

Looks like this sword was some sort of recognition gift to Iwata Kanzo (岩田 勘造). The document was issued the 1st April of 1939. It seems he was an employee of the South Manchuria Railway Company for 25 years.

[Rawa]

They went for second ana for tachi mount?

Spring 1939 with extra marks at nakago.

@Bruce Pennington in case You miss it

Edited April 24 by Rawa