Bruce Pennington

That is nice, Ed. Unusual to see the 'sculpting' around the top, around the haikan. Nicely done.

August, 1855 for the rookies.

I'd start at $1,000 and be ready for offers. The NMB For Sale section is here, you can browse other swords for sale to see the preferred format: https://www.militaria.co.za/nmb/forum/130-swords-and-edged-weapons/

That is quite an interesting item. Matching numbers and the paint on the saya throat matches that of saya, and both look aged and worn appropriately for a wartime job. Considering all the late-war swords we've seen, where people were making-do with what ever was available, I'd easily believe this to be something done in the war and not a post-war Bubba job.

Hi Patrice, Your sword is a legit WWII Japanese officer's Type 98 sword. To those who study WWII and Japanese swords, they are all valuable and worth preservation. Monetary value can vary greatly depending upon condition of the sword, and sometimes due to the way it was made, and the smith that made it. That's one reason we are all interested in seeing the nakago (tang). As a family heirloom, and in honor of your grandfather, I think it's worth putting some time into restoring it to some degree, like having the handle (tsuka) rewrapped. Having the blade restored, via professional polish, depends on you. Many collectors like to keep a sword in the condition it came to them, calling it the "Life of the Sword." Others like to take the time and effort to return their swords to their intended beauty. I spent 2 years finding missing parts to restore my dad's sword, and even spent the $2,200 to have it polished. But that was a personal choice. Some before and after shots:

Dawson has a couple examples of these and calls them simply Type 19 Kyu gunto. But he may simply be describing what he physically sees. I suspect Omara has gone a little deeper and explained how and why they were created in the first place.

No, that is a first! Symbols and even clouds on Mount Fuji.

That's interesting, John. I've managed to have never read that page on Ohmura's site. Don't know how I missed it.

The line that causes the Ichi to look like a "T" is simply a dent among the many dents and scratches.

Note the tassel is around his wrist, as designed originally.

Googled it: Definition: It combines sho (initial/beginning) and shin (mind/heart), meaning to keep the mind open and ready. Practical Application: It involves approaching situations without holding onto fixed, preconceived ideas or habits. Contrast to Expertise: While an expert may rely on past experiences, a beginner-mind approach encourages questioning, curiosity, and seeing things as if for the first time. so, was this an art name adopted by a real sword, Smith? Or was it meant to be a spiritual slogan? Shoshin is often applied in martial arts, daily learning, and personal development to maintain humility and a "growth mindset

OH, yes I see that now. Cool. Thank you, Ray!

If you are intending to sell it, I would think that experienced collectors would be put off if the new one looked recently made. Now, if you explained in your description that you did it to simply cover/protect the exposed wood, then it likely wouldn't hurt.

The kanji in this kokuin looks approximately like the smith's name, Yasutsugu, but they are slightly different. Do you think it's just a stylized version of his name, or do they mean something else? Thanks guys!

Looks like my set, Stephen. I did the same thing to the seppa set I bought to finish out my dad's Mantetsu.

Nice one, Dale! Real depictions of Kiku and Kiri flowers.

Here is a picture of mine. Small metal band without any decoration Justin, Does yours have a screw to hold it on? Most of these do not seem to be attached in any permanent way. That is why most of them are missing at the time you see them.

Marilyn, Thank you for sharing a bit of your father‘s story and the story of the sword. Many of us don’t just collect swords, it matters to us the people they served and the stories behind them when those can be told. These things to me, represent real people in real lives. Thank you for sharing some of yours again. You’re welcome to hang around here as often as you like and read the various conversations that go on.

Buy “asymmetrical“ are you talking about the fact that one is lower on the handle on one side and higher on the handle on the other? If you are, that is how they are all made. That is perfectly normal.

Hope I'm not duplicating efforts, but this is the latest of his newsletters, JULY, 1971 Volume IV, No. 7. Something I found interesting: "Leon says " On page 9 below the section showing the family tree for the Awataguchi Tadatsuna school, there is a comment saying that a famous sword by Ikkanshi Tadatsuna was used to assassinate the corrupt official Tanuma. Abert says that Tanuma forced the Honami appraisers to write false appraisals or orikami for swords. I had read about the Tanuma corruption before, but had never heard about false or worthless orikami by the Honami."" Albert Yamanaka Swordsmith Article.pdf

Sure, John, certainly possible.

Is it Yoshi 義?

Thanks again, Ray! Another good one.

@Kotetsu1959 Thanks Roy! That is only the 4th "HO" series blade I have seen. I appreciate that. Is this yours? If so, could we get a shot or two of the overall blade and fittings?

It's a fabulous document, Sam. Thank you for doing this. I've already had the need to reference it, in a discussion about a guy's 95 on another forum! It's right in there with my Fuller and Dawson references.