Ian B3HR2UH

Hi Mo , without checking my books I would be pretty sure this is not right . Certainly not the Kunihiro . There is a category of swords that I refer to as Showa fakes . These typically have big names inscribed on the nakago and crummy horimono on the blade . This looks to be one of these although you would need to have it in your hand to be reasonably sure about that . Ian Brooks

Wow , so there are at least another 187529 other pieces of crap like this out there somewhere . I agree with Hamish 100% . Don't know why I am even giving this junk any time at all . Ian Brooks

Hi Steve , one of my swords was carried by Naval Captain Endo who was a senior officer in the 22nd Naval base force . This was the main Japanese unit at Balikpapan . In the course of my research on the 22nd base force I came across a reference to a Japanese arsenal at Sangasanga . This is up the coast near Samarinda. It was described as a foundry and engineering works . Among other things that it was manufacturing steel helmets , bayonets swords and hand grenades . I think your piece is of too good a quality to be one of the famous Aussie made jeep spring swords . My guess is that the Japanese themselves made many of the Island made pieces. Ian Brooks

Hi Bruce, after all of the great work you have done pulling together the information on these I am glad you got yourself an example . Well done. Ian Brooks

Hi Peter , I have a a 1966 reprint of the Behrens catalogue Part 3 , sword fittings tsuba metal . I don't think that this is an auction catalogue though but a catalogue of his collection so what you are looking for may be different. Lot 723 is a kodzuka described as Shakudo nanako, two cranes in the clouds in low relief iroye . This piece isn't illustrated. Ian Brooks

Years ago a friend had a Shingunto with one of these sarute on it . This was long before anyone had much interest in military mounts . This piece would have been bought back by a returning serviceman. There is no doubt in my mind that these were a WW2 item. Ian Brooks

I had a think about this one Bob but the Aussie dollar is hopeless now and I just didn't get around to it . Glad you wound up with it . What this does show, I think, is that there are still good interesting things out there for people who are prepared to beat the bushes and use their eye . Of course those who cant recognize quality ( and there seem to be a lot of them ) will be wasting their time doing this . Well done Ian Brooks

I totally agree with Stephen . If you can , also get yourself a copy of the Arts of the Japanese sword by Robinson . These two are essential reading for beginners . They will help you to learn how to read signatures which is an essential skill to have in this hobby. Ian Brooks

Hamish , you are the only one who mentioned General Togo ( I assume you mean General Tojo ) . Everyone else in the discussion seemed to understand that it purported to be Admiral Togo's sword . Please tell us more about your sword Thomas Ian Brooks

This sword seems to have sold for 1 111 000 yen and there were 437 bids so someone must have thought that it was OK .I guess that if anyone seriously thought it was Togo's it would have sold for ten times this amount Ian Brooks

Stuart , congratulations on reading the mei . Too many people wont even try to do this . I think that they are wasting their time in this hobby if they cannot or will not try to read signatures . The signature on your piece is beautifully cut , the tang is well finished and there is almost zero chance that it is not right . Ian Brooks

The Japanese website military swords of Japan has an article on Admiral Togo's sword which was a blade by Yoshifusa in naval Kyu gunto mounts . What he would be doing with a army officers Kyu gunto mystifies me . It was no doubt put together at some time with the intention of deceiving someone . Ian Brooks

Thanks for posting Axel . I too could not believe that the seppa were so poorly fitted ..As Curran says the whole koshirae is probably put together ( as so many of Aoi's seem to be. ) Ian Brooks

Surely that is because the mounts are low quality rubbish ! It must be intended to be a Tokugawa mon even if they didn't get the details right . The tourists would never know the difference anyway. Ian brooks

There is an article on Saigo's swords in programme 126 of the Token Society of Great Britain . It is a translation of an article by Fukunaga Suiken .The Saigo families sword record book apparently lists 63 blades ranging from high to poor quality . Amongst the former are a Rai Kunitoshi , three Muramasa ( although only one is signed ) and an orikaeshi mei Nobukuni . The Nobukuni is described as the Gunto which Saigo Takamori used to wear during the Meiji revolution . I guess this is possibly some sort of kyu gunto mount .It interested me that even an apparently modest samurai family would have that many blades. Ian Brooks

Hi George , I checked my records and find that I have had two swords with mon on them and Showa blades . The first was a Kai gunto . Its handle had large same ,a beautiful flat wrapped ito and a mon on the kabuto gane . I expected something pretty good to be in it but when I pulled ithe blade out it was a showa piece signed Noshu seki ju takayama Yoshinao complete with a showa stamp ! The second piece was a shingunto with the owners name Yoshida on the kabuto gane . It came with a tag giving his details !st Lt Yoshida South East Artillery HQ . The blade by Kanekuni was dated 1941 and was complete with a Seki stamp . It seems to me that they are an unusual combination as if you had enough money to have a mon added you would probably want a better blade in your sword . There was a thread show us your top gunto or something to that effect . Davids example above looks to have some real quality about it and leaves many that were posted there way behind it . Regards Ian Brooks

Iit doesn't even look to be properly fitted , looks like someone has shoved part of an habaki in there . Ian Brooks

Dave , I think that the dragon menuki are of lower quality than the other pieces and will only detract from the piece if you put them on it . I agree with Grey that the fuchi and Kashira are mismatched . Ian Brooks

Neil , I am fairly sure that Evans was an English rather than a US corporal . The Brits were in Malaya not the Americans . Maj General Churcher was an English officer . The letters RASC after Evans's name indicate that he was in the Royal Army Service Corps The scratched Japanese characters on the brass fittings read Tatsuyama which is probably the surname of the swords actual owner . Soldiers who had a sword sometimes wanted to know what they had and approached English speaking Japanese for advice . Not wishing to admit ignorance about swords the Japanese told them a story . I have seen a few of these attributions and it is clear that at least some of the people giving the attribution didn't know much . I suspect that that is the case here . Still you are fortunate to have all of this paperwork For what it is worth I think that the blade is much younger than 350 years old. Ian Brooks

Michael , take the advice , do yourself a favour and buy the Kanemichi . Ian Brooks

Wow I bet this has taken off a few heads in its time ! With all that attitude perhaps it is a Muramasa . Be careful though as I remember reading that once taken out of the scabbard Muramasa blades have to taste blood before being sheathed again. Ian Brooks

Congratulations Grev , this sword illustrates the point that I keep banging on about . Genuine mainline Tadayoshi and Tadahiro pieces have beautifully finished Nakagos and well cut mei . Ian brooks

Do You have John Yumoto's book ? That will reveal all . Ian Brooks

A good exercise thanks Ed . I agree 5 and 8 are the same sword and think that this is the only genuine one in the group . Number one is a possibility but I suspect its gimei Ian brooks

I don't think these were special order for those with a bit of money but rather something purchased by those who couldn't afford anything better . They really are cheap and nasty . Ian Brooks