IJASWORDS

SOLD!

Forgot to add these. Sword bag included.

Good quality IJA WW2 swords in very good condition are getting rarer. Swords with a great blade made by one of the best Gendai sword smiths of the era are super rare, collectable and are good investments, as good traditionally made Gendai-to are now being recognized for their aesthetic value. In the less common aluminium saya, magnificant fittings with the original coloring intact, handle binding is original and intact. A very high quality original sword. Being the light weight softer aluminium saya, there is a little paint loss, but shows its original patina for a sword taken to war. The blade is outstanding, showing its hamon and Ko Itame hada, and is still ubu-ba. Made in May 1941, the Mei reads Hachi-Man Dai-Satsu "The God of War"! No rust, no pits, no chips, a blade to enjoy. At USD2600, posted to you, it would be a great addition to the collector and investor.

This sword has now been sold. Thankyou to everyone who showed an interest.

A good original WW2 Navy traditionally made MINATOGOWA sword rarely comes up for sale these days. Very few were made, and many "went down with the ship"! This January 1943 example offered for sale here, was made by the MASANAO. In very good as found polish, no rust, no pits, no chips, all the details in the hada and hamon perfectly visible. The boshi and kisaki are complete and undamaged. The sword is still ubu-ba, indicating no post war polish. A few very minor scuff marks only, that is consistent with age and use. Features include, all fittings have original matching numbers, the ray-skin saya is superb, has the extremely rare extended drag, original IJN brown tassel, and as a bonus gift with purchase, I will include the rare and sought after MINATOGAWA book by Herman Wallinga, a must have for collectors. The Kiku-sui Mon on the nakago and habaki are beautifully present. With all the add ons and postage included, a steal at USD8400.

So, I have a question relating to my SADAKATSU I posted on Friday. It was made in December 1933 to celebrate the birth of Japan's Crown Prince, who became Emperor Akihito. Including mine, I have only seen or read about 3 that are in existence, including this one. One was for sale at the 2019 DTI, for 3.4 million Yen, and one that was in the possession of Gassan Sadatoshi for 3million yen. My question is, how many of these swords were made (the best answerer I heave been given is "only a handful"). Also, is it known how many still exist, assuming some were Gunto mounted or even lost? I have been told that as many as 10 celebration TANTO were made, but these 10 were the majority of his work to celebrate the birth, rather than katana or tachi. I have been trying to find out this info for years, any help or guidance would be appreciated.

A 1935 KANETOKI, in type 34 mounts, special order for Lord Tsukaharu.

A GASSAN SADAKATSU, Hakogaki by Gassan Sadakatsu, Sayagaki by Gassan Sadatoshi. Thankyou to forum members and Japanese friends that were able bring this all together, thankyou to David who escorted me to Japan to find this sword in 2019.

Would be a great catch for anyone with one of these fantastic SADAKATSU swords!

Hey Jareth, here is one. quite rare. If anyone wants to buy it send me a PM.

Jackson, take your pick. All original WW2, I can work out a price.

Jackson, I sent you a message. I have such things in my box of spares.

Another attempt.

OK, got some advice from a sword buddy, a quick setup and progress being made.

A progress report. I bought a small (probably too small) LED light, and took some more photos. Whilst the sword looks great in the light, capturing it on iPhone camera is challenging, my daughter held the light and I tried to take photos. As I said, I will get the right gear probably after Easter and try again, so some photographic progress is being made, but I will do better. These 3 photos were taken at different areas of the sword, with different light angles. Hada and Habuchi are better pronounced, but I want to do better.

Rather than "bickering" as Hamfish says, I will accept the challenge from Franco D and try and take better photos. As "oli" suggested, I will rig up better lighting. My original post was photographed as I was doing its regular clean and oil, and not set up for photography. So how about we take a rain check on the discussion, and I will post (hopefully) better photos.

Thanks Brian, I post the occasional sword to share my enjoyment whilst I have it in my care, until the next generation can acquire and preserve it. I know iPhone photos are not always the best way to show off a sword's attributes, but I do my best. If I have ever had a question about a sword, I do it by PM, in a polite way. There are many folk out there that have an interest in Japanese military swords and GENDAI, and not a day passes that I am not on the phone, email or SMS to one. And thanks to "whatsapp" many overseas (hi Bruce!). For many collectors on this forum, the Military section is their first go-to area. Keep it positive, polite and constructive.

Maybe the photos are not as perfect as I indicated in the description. BUT it is traditionally made with very clear hamon, hada and importantly habuchi. If you want evidence, get on a plane and come and see it for yourself, otherwise.........

This sword could live just as happily live in the Nihonto section as well as the Military. A May 1941 (Takahashi) YOSHIMUNE, in the less common aluminium saya, All the fittings are matching numbered "1538", indicating an original complete sword. His lineage as a swordsmith is without question, his brother SADATSUGU was a "Living National Treasure". This BIZEN tradition sword has a nice hamon and hada, the photos do it no justice. The MEI translates to "The God of war, Minamoto YOSHIMUNE made this". I share this sword because I spent years trying to find a top example of his work as I think he was one of the top Gendai sword makers. I acknowledge using pages from Slough.

Basically a war time polish in my view, is the original polish that was on the sword at the time of capture or surrender. Of course this polish could be spectacular or utilitarian, or could be the result of a rough field polish during action by the soldier. In any case, you could substitute the term original polish, or as found polish.

I pulled a few swords from the cupboard tonight to inspect and enjoy. This KANETOSHI (Murayama) Star Stamp, July 1944 in late war RS mounts always demands attention. In WW2 polish, the hada and hamon in Ichimonji style JUKA CHOJI, is like viewing a nice piece of art, something new always catches your eye. For Bruce's benefit, I tried to do my best on the MUNE stamps. I have probably posted photos before, but my new phone camera and LED lights show much more detail. If I had the time and money, this sword would be a prime candidate for a touch up polish.

Thanks Tom, it's yours.

More photos

For sale is a unique of sword and koshirae outfit from the Japanese Imperial Army used in WW2. Firstly, look at the blade, a (Shoda) MASAFUSA, a traditionally made sword by a 1 million YEN sword smith in great war time polish. Complete with the hot stamps detailing that it was made by the soft core steel and covered with the hard steel combination. The registration number, 211659, of the design is also in the hot stamp. The hamon, kisaki and boshi are really nice. Secondly, the koshirae, the very rare Iida latch combination, that functions perfectly, complete with design and patent numbers. Most of the original paint and gilding is still evident on the fittings. And adding to the collectability, is a silver Samurai Family Mon, and topped off with a brown/blue original officer's tassel in great condition (worth a couple of hundred bucks alone!). So in summary, an extremely good example of a rare sword and blade combination that has everything, that would add interest to any collection. I have sold many swords to NMB members, and the feedback is that my photos don't do justice to what they see in the hand. These swords usually sell for much more than the USD3350 (including express postage) that I am asking. This is a fantastic sword that ticks all the boxes, great blade, rare koshirae (that works!), mon and tassel. index.html

Steve, I too have been absent from the forum for many months, and your description of where you are in your collecting rings a familiar bell. BUT, I am twice your age, and my thoughts lead me to wonder what happens to my collection when God finally calls "last drinks". I am sure my kids will ring some junk shop, or worse, will order a dumpster. Like you, I have over the years accumulated every make, model and variety of WW2 era swords, using "Dawson" as a guide, and then some! If you don't need the money, and in good health, hold off for a while and maybe sell a sword or two, just to understand the market, this has been my methodology over the past couple of years. Anyway, what ever you decide to do, its been great interacting with you on the forum, and many communications on other media. I do like Bruce's idea of a book, at least take top quality photos and record the information just in case some one else can use it. Best wishes.