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Hello Mark, don't missunderstand. The text says "The simplest blades,.." There was six variations of Type95 gunto. I thinks the latest one where simple ones that are pressed out of metal. But every one, from the copper hilt to the wood handled variation 2, they was made for war and had a history. And they all have a value. So enjoy your swords. Best regards Chris

Hello Mark, no problem. You found this for example in the Book: "Modern Japanese Swords and Swordsmiths" (Leo and Hiroko Kapp, Yoshindo Yoshihara) Page: 67 Look here, i marked it for you. So my question again. What is machine made? I think many belive that a machine hammer in the forging process ist machine made? I think no. Type 98 gunto where made very carefully by hand. For me it's not important if the smith hammered with a steam hammer. But most of the blades where not made traditional with Tamahagene steel and the traditonal process of forging.

Hello Shamsey i know Ohmuras site very well. For me is a hand forged sword not a machine made. If you mean not traditionel that another point. This sword is handmade, thats my point. Incase not traditionel.

For me it looks like a well forged Type 98 Gunto. What does it mean machine made? A machine made Sword was f.e. a Type 95 sword witch was pressed out of a piece of metal. Yours is handforged from a swordsmith.

Santa was coming and bring me the sword. There is only a seki stamp on the nakago. All parts have numbers. No. "18". Here some pic's more. The aluminium scabbard have lost the color and shine a little golden now. Between the Ashi is the original color "dark green. All parts fit well and the clip locks the sword. I'm now satisfied to bid on it and win the auction. Its a nice Kanesumi. Thanks for helping me to identify it. Great work. Greetings Chris

Sorry Jean, didn't know this. For myself it looks like hiragana. I can only view it from my point.

The signature is i. o. hiragana written. 1. いれ o re 2. ろ ro 3. ?? but i have no idea about it. I didn't find the catalogue from unique Japan (pablo kunz) with that kind of signature but i'm sure that i have seen it there. I believe it's an real old blade. Very interesting.

I wish you all wherever you are in this world a peacefull time and merry christmas. Best regards from the "green" Bavaria with no snow... Chris

Charles it looks like exciting for me. I can't remember but i think i have seen this signature on a unique Japan sword that pablo kunz sold. I try to find the catalogue. The signature is hammered. If you look on it you see the very fine work. Chinese didn't have time to do something

For myself, i think its one or 150 Euro to much. But on the other hand its so hard to get a complete gunto here in germany for a price under 1.000 EUR. Most people know what they have and a look in ebay will tell them they have a "masterpiece" which is 10.000 Dollar worth. It has a nice same... and my first with a sarute.

Hello Thomas, Thank you very much. I didn't know if there any stamps more or chips, necks, something else. I only see some few photos. The color of the saya is complete away - it seems blank. My plan was to spend only 500 EUR but in that online auction in the last 5 minutes was so dramatic and i pay over 1.000 EUR (my wife will kill me twice, because of my stupid hobby).

Hello Andreas, thank you a lot for helping. I found it very difficult to read. "Sauklaue" Did you have an idea what the others are meaning? Btw. i'm very happy to find help.

Hello from Germany. My name is Chris and I'm collecting gunto since a couple of years. I read a long time in this board and find it very usefull and friendly. This day i register myself because i had a question about a sword that i get in the next days from a auction (i hope so the money is away :-) Its a mid type 98 gunto, complete with stamps on all parts (No.18) but not in a very good condition and a seki mark on the Nakago. My question is about the signature. I din't find out the swordsmith in all the books i have. I bought this sword because it is one, over a long time i seen here in germany that is complete and available. The hamon is visible I would be pleased if someone can help identify this gunto. Best regards Chris