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The blade and hilt is from a Type 95 Military Sword while the scabbard is from a mass produced Type 100 Sword. Sometime in fiscal year 1943, Nagoya Arsenal started mass producing the Type 100. They were made in large numbers and production even exceeded that of the Type 95. The veteran removed the scabbard retaining assembly from the handle so that the scabbard would slide all the way to the crossguard. The Type 95 locking latch protrudes beyond the crossguard and would prevent the scabbard from closing all the way. This sword is the earliest known Type 95 from Nagoya Arsenal with an unfullered blade. 関202446 Fullered blade. 関203348 Unfullered blade. Thanks for sharing Dev and good luck with the sale.

Yahoo!オークション - 珍品希少 自在/絡繰金具の象...

Thanks, Maurice. I’ve never quite known how to consider Musashi’s life and legacy. The modern myth was promulgated by popular historical works of fiction that are entertaining and that remain hugely popular. The truth about the man is, however, difficult to discern. I’m quite used to sustaining ambiguity and ambivalence, so he is not “problematic” in that sense. I learned very early in life not to put people on pedestals and not to hero worship. Lots to study and consider. And that is his gift. BTW, it is very difficult to find good instructional books/videos of Niten-Ryu Ha. Seems that Niten-do is more widely taught and practiced outside of Japan—even on-line virtual classes.

Not sure if I’m seeing this correctly, but it looks like the tongue moves

These could very well be period war time mounts, have seen quite a few swords using this specific style of Handachi fitting. Of what significance they held is unknown, below are photos of a Koshirae I once owned that came from Japan.

関202887 has Fullered blade also

Remember that If Tanobe-sensei didn't agree with the mei, he would not have made the Sayagaki. The mei varies, has distinct phases through the smith's career, and Tanobe wrote extensively on the smith in the past. In fact, he's singlehandedly push the the frontiers of knowledge on Ko-Osafune substantially. So you are good. That said, it's absolutely the good approach to analyze it for yourself. That's how one learns. You are dealing here with one of the unicorns of Nihonto. There is a grand total of 29 zaimei Mitsutada tachi. Out of these, 13 can be legally exported out of Japan. Out of the 13 that can be exported, half are going to be locked up permanently in museums or whale collectors that intend on creating museums. So that leaves about 7 Mitsutada Tachi. Out of these 7 that are not in quasi-permanent lock-up, probably 2 are closer to the early style of Nagamitsu and hence late work or even Daimei, and 2 other are likely in Ko-bizen den. They are all wonderful and important, across all style. That said, If you're looking for the archetype Osafune Mitsutada, you can count them on the fingers of your hand, at best. This one is close to the zaimei archetype, which is on the quiet side, with less of a Ko-Kyomono kitae. The mumei archetypes are the super flamboyant ones with Kawazuko choji and Ko-Kyomono jihada that is at the level of Awataguchi, plus prominent midare utsuri to top it all. It feels midway into his transition from Ko-Bizen to his prime style, with still some Ko-Bizen vibes and executed of ko-nie, with lots of gunome and activities such as Kinsuji and tobiyaki. Of course, it was more flamboyant out of the forge, and lost some width, the shape of its kissaki went on the chu-side of things, and overall it's fair to say that part of its shape, due to polishing and repairs, was diminished somewhat. Remember that it's 750 years old so, it's a miracle that it is the way it is, still. The jihada has taken a hit as a result and it's not representative of his skill, but it must have been lustrous back in its glory days. Is it the amongst the best? No. but is it a legitimate Mitsutada? yes. Is still a good sword and important sword, including as a historical reference? No doubt. It's also better in hand than in the photos. At 20M yen it's the lowest priced legitimate Mitsutada tachi. The gravitational pull of Ladder theory is exerting its influence on the price. Pass Juyo? Absolutely, one day, no question. Maybe this year, maybe in five years, maybe ten, but it will pass. I think there are worst Mitsutada at Juyo than this one. Now, there is an oscillation at the NBHTK between "all mastermiths go juyo automatically" and "let's have some differentiation and make TH meaningful for mastersmiths also" - it just ebbs and flows, and patience is certainly required. Good sayagaki don't have a 'causal' impact on Juyo. In fact, according to some, it irks the judges. There are people that deliberately submit without Sayagaki. Now, it could also be a superstition and the effect is neutral, or even positive. But it's not strong. Does it correlate highly with Juyo? Yes, for obvious reason. But then again Tanobe-sensei focuses on the best aspects of the sword in his Sayagaki, it's not easy to ascertain what a truly positive sayagaki is or isn't, there are clear cases sure, but there is also a grey-zone. That's just the way of things and It's normal. He must have been very happy to see this piece, as he's been assiduously collecting all known signatures in his studies. He wrote a long sayagaki, because its a topic that interest him deeply. Very rare, very precious.

This has often been mentioned before Possibly the work of what is call "Low-crossbar-mei Yamakichibei,". Have any tsuba with this type of mei passed shinsa?

Hello friends, I would like to hear your opinion on this 54.5 cm long wakizashi. I have been trying to find out what generation the shinto smith is or if it is gimei. But without much success. I could not find a Yahazu Hamon with Itame hada and Nijuba on any of the other Tomoyuki on the internet. It's a beautiful blade, without question.

Hello all, I'm new to these parts! Hi. Recently, I was gifted* a sword by my Father's fiance. Story goes someone in their family brought it back from the war. She now has nowhere to store the sword. It doesn't match her decor anymore. I got the gist she has any interest or feelings about it. I didn't know she owned it tbh. Afterwards, my research points to this being a rather rare sword? Anyhow, I too don't really have any interest in it either. It's cool no doubt. But surely a collector would appreciate it more than I. Still, I asked if I could sell it and they didn't care. No sentiment value there. She is like that about her side of her family. I aim to sell it. So I wanted to ask for some opinions from those who know them. ) HERE IS A FULL GALLERY (some files too large I only really saw one of these swords posted as sold on Ebay. That one was listed for $1,475 - with the best offer option. So I can't tell what it truly sold for. Although, unlike theirs, my sword is missing the belt clip/lock near the hand guard. Also, the serial number is missing from the scabbard. There simply is no numbers on it. I suspect either those numbers wore off OR it's partially not real? I don't want to sell a sword as real to a collector then find out later and them be bummed. I really don't know what this sword is worth? It seems super rare to find one being sold online. Thank you!

Hey all, first-time poster here. Recently, I found a WW2-era Japanese officer sword in an antiques shop. Thinking it was cool, I wanted to get some information on it, and the shop owner let me take a look and snap a few pictures. Long story short, in doing a bit of looking into it, the information I was given by the shop owner doesn't line up. I was originally told that the sword was marked 'Kanemori', however someone on a less specialized forum told me that the kanji actually says 'Kanemoto'. Not to mention, the name is the literal only mark on the tang. No arsenal stamps that I can tell, and no other marks. I would just like to know about this sword, mostly asking if it's an actual antique officer sword or a reproduction, and maybe a bit about the sword's history if there's any to be spoken for. Note: I'm guessing that it's a Type 98 based on pictures I've seen online. Pics below- Let me know what you folks think. Thanks in advance for any info. - J.S.

That greenish-blue ito wrap was popular for civilian swords. See my comment below about these swords, many of which got drafted during the war. Inherited Sword, looking for help Identifying maker.

The highest serial number that I have with a picture is 217291.

兼元 = Kanemoto. versus 兼則 = Kanenori. 兼式 = Kanenori.

Joey, Kanemoto is correct. Looks to be Showa period as opposed to an earlier sword based on the nakago. More pictures of the blade would need to be posted to determine the quality and condition of the blade itself. The Type 98 fittings look to be higher quality based on the extended drag on the saya - scabbard. But it's in poor condition and missing most of the paint. The habaki is also silver or silver plated, which is normally a feature of nicer blades. @mecox Conway

Showato, not Gendaito.

Plenty of members on the forum have posted NCO swords in the for sale section on NMB. There are no restrictions on selling swords that are of Japanese origin. Posting here you will avoid eBay fees and sales tax. To prove that you actually own the sword, some members post a picture of the sword with their NMB forum name on a piece of paper next to it. Conway

@xkingz1998 Hi Taylor! It does not look like anyone answered your original question! If you live in FL, there is a Japanese Sword show in Orlando from 20-22 June 2025. This is well-known show in the US and there are usually a few individuals set up who are trained in tsukamaki. In my experience, you should be able to get the handle re-wrapped for between $250-$350. https://orlandoswordshow.com/ Conway

I pasted your text to my MS-Word and just changed the font to sosho font which have been installed to my PC. There are several sosho font sets (free or paid version).

If it is a Horii Toshihide you have, I just received an early Taisho 6 (1917) Toshihide katana that might be of interest. Please message me if so, or email raymondsinger@gmail.com. Best regards, Ray

The NBTHK paperwork says it's an elephant, but the Baku is very similar in many aspects and easily mistaken, so no great surprise. The surprise for me was how quickly Brian spotted it! The Suki as it states on the kantei-sho, is a spade, or a kind of hand-plough. I nearly bought one at the antiques fair the other day. Made of wood, the blade edge has a typical iron surround. It is said that 'sukiyaki' was first made in early Edo by placing meat on one of these and cooking it not in the sacred kitchen but in the outside fire hole for the bath. 鋤 イラスト - 検索 画像 (Possibly the fuchi and kashira were not part of the same set originally.)

Agreed. I know that Baku are (bad) dream eaters, but what's the connection with the 鋤 suki spade? (Nice find!)

Looks to be a baku. Nicely done.

I searched but this sword is not for sale on Yahoo, Jauce or Mercari. Looks like the seller is only interested in the foreign marketplace.

Thank you all so much for helping me sort this all out! Also, Kiipu for the debunking info. That is very interesting. Good eye! Should I post this in this forum's selling area for $625 USD + shipping? USA shipping only. I don't want to deal with customs etc. Probably around $30 to ship I'd guess. I'd be happy with that and to provide it to another's collection (or parts) in this community. I may not have enough rep though?

Listing a high-quality early Satsuma blade with Tokubetsu Hozon kanteisho to Ko-Naminohira. This attribution generally ranges from Kamakura period to Nanbokucho, (Ko-Naminohira extends back as early as Heian, though this is not a Heian blade). The hamon has a lot of fine hataraki like kinsuji and small ashi. The hamon is very Yamato-like and greatly resembles Ko-Senjuin. The blade is a naginatanaoshi katana, with a great shape that appears ubu, or mostly ubu, on the upper portion (while the nakago is o-suriage mumei). In shirasaya with silver foil habaki and current NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon kanteisho. Now available for $4k + shipping

Additional pieces which will be listed in the near future include: Osafune Katsumitsu katana (Hozon) Omiya Morikage naginatanaoshi katana (Tokubetsu Hozon with Kanzan sayagaki) Sue-Sa Kunihiro katana (Tokubetsu Hozon with Kanzan sayagaki) Gassan Sadakatsu katana (with Kanzan sayagaki) Unju katana (Tokubetsu Hozon with Kanzan sayagaki) Sadatsuna wakizashi (Tokubetsu Hozon) Kodai Kaneuji (Tokubetsu Hozon) Please message or email to discuss further. Best regards, Ray

Auction with a reserve price of $700. The blade alone could sell for $500 then the saya (scabbard) would sell alone for $150-200.

Legitimate, although worn-down work with typical mid/late signature (albeit some of it wobbly) and priced where it is because of the TH and condition. Price already down from the 25m yen at the DTI to what currently I believe is a very good (even bargain) price for a Mitsutada long sword. Note, as CH mentioned above, that these are rarer than Masamune and in my subjective view more desirable.

A few examples for Mitsutada.

The original 1993 book (new, unused, softcover, 29 x 20.5 cm, 268 pages). Although dated, it is a comprehensive compilation of pre-modern Mino swordsmiths and history with 100+ pages of figures and oshigata, providing a useful English reference and introduction. Supplement is upgraded and a new print, 50 pages, with 30 pages of oshigata plus sword school trees. It has Japanese for swordsmiths names plus 3 pages of kanji commonly used. Set of two books is AUD 50. Standard airmail Australia to USA is AUD 42 (books weigh 0.90 kg = 2.2 lb).

Yeah, there is zero doubt that the scabbard is from a different sword. Just very lucky it fits. That said, someone out there will be looking for the sword itself, maybe to restore or maybe for parts. I am guessing it would go higher than $500 as is.

Here’s the photos from his link that have the latch area, I resized them so they’d fit here for posterity. I included another where you can see how the saya fits too I agree with Rob, that an auction is probably your best bet.

Well here it is. 14 3/8 inches long. Of joy. It was polished by the great Woody Hall. I had some people give there opinion. And after some research. I think it maybe an Nakayama Ikkansai Yoshihiro. Well thats what I hope.

Tough one Dev.... would I pay $500 Aud for it.....probably not. It's always going to be a saya from one type of sword and a late NCO with missing latch (and you may never find another one). Having said that, you never know who has/needs what parts out there and they will pay if it meets their needs. If a person was lucky enough to have a spare late NCO saya then they will definitely be in the race. Your keen for pricing advice I know but IMO if your best bet would be put it up for Auction either regular auction or Ebay ...you can't lose and I have seen some 'married' swords and junk go for much higher than expected prices. Just be sure your upfront with pictures / description so that people know exactly what you are selling and what they are paying for. Maybe start at $300 US for 14 days ????? Just my thoughts but hope it helps. PS if there is no groove on the otherside of wooden tsuka (handle) where the latch used to be then that could indicate repro parts as well.

Hi Blair, No Nihonto worth owning is valued so low; best you can hope for is garbage at that price.. Take time for study and save some money for a better sword. Grey

Fine focus is most important. But anyway, the sword looks to be a clear fake.

Hi Dev, welcome. Sorry to hear the sword holds no interest for you. I've seen these wood hilt 95's go anywhere from several hundred dollars up to around $1500. They aren't worth a ton. I believe yours is genuine, but with damage and mismatched parts. That scabbard is for an entirely different type of WW2 Japanese sword. So I'd think it would be worth the lower end of that range. I know you want to sell it, but considering it's not worth a whole lot and it has some family history for you; It might be worth holding onto until a family member does show interest. Maybe the next generation? Just an idea. Best of luck, -Sam

Nothing unusual, the nakago has been completely re-shaped/filed down during the suriage/machi-okuri process. The line you see on the nakago is where the re-filing stops to preserve the mei, you’ll see this every now and then. Actually unusual is the migaki, or lack of migaki in the shinogi-ji… bizarre. https://eirakudo.shop/999434

It depends on the item. But I am a historical guy opposed to an art appreciator. As my main interest in the hobby are ōdachi and old naginata, I am filled with joy seeing them. Last summer I saw several rusty and blemished ones at various shrines and other places. To me they were much more exciting than most of the National Treasures I saw in several museums. Of course if they have been restored to full glory then they are absolutely amazing. Still purely from my heart I would most likely choose a historical ōdachi over extremely amazing sword regardless of their status, or perceived difference in the skill of smiths etc.. It is quite extreme view and I am fully aware of that. Even for regular sized swords I have noticed I am starting to have extremely quirky things that I am looking for or avoiding.

Thank you! Not to contribute to derailing the discussion, but having spent years in the infantry in my youth, I definitely agree that the judicious application of vulgarity can sometimes be very appropriate.

Logorrhea or something more vulgar. Fairly typical for the Lanes Armoury though - who could fail to be enchanted by the image of them pesky fireman ninja sneaking around in their black pyjamas, assassinating people, pausing briefly to put out some fires and then disappearing noislessly into the smoke. The Lanes Armoury - the place where they never let reality stand in the way of making a sale.

Some poor soul going to buy that thinking they have whatever the Lanes described it as, whatever that is. I stopped reading near the top, looks like someone got carried away, the opposite of writers block, lots and lots of caffeine maybe