IJASWORDS

I have collected a few of these over the years, and think that they were also used interchangeably with the bamboo. It is no optical illusion, the one on the right is larger. That means at least two pieces of dies or molds. Still on the lookout for a matching F/K set.

Sold

Thanks for your kind comments fellas. I am a novice at selling swords and making attractive marketing posts. The blade alone is fantastic, but as a gunto collector, my desire is to keep these historical pieces together and preserved. I can only imagine the heart break of a family giving their son a family blade to take to war, and the sword not coming back, or worse. I should also mention that I am flexible on price, particularly if it goes to a good home.

I am pruning my gunto collection to make room and funds available for future acquisitions. So I will be putting a few up for sale. Please note that I am selling a gunto package, blade in koshirae. The condition is as I acquired them years ago, with the description that came with the sword. These are historical pieces, and may show the patina of age, and even a war time polish. Additional questions and photos of anything specific can of course be provided. It is a type 98, matching numbered fittings, with sarute. In a leather combat cover. The blade is an ancestral family blade mounted and taken to war. It is described as late Nambokucho, early Muromachi, made 1360 to 1400. I was told it was probably shortened the first time during the Sengoku era. The blade has bo-hi both sides and is 65 cms long. This sword would look good in any collection. SOLD.

When I first started collecting, my first Kai Gunto was one of these. Back then, there was a belief that they were late war Navy using up fittings (some army). Then, because of the anchor stamped blade, and army fittings, the theory of Marines or Naval Landing Force sword came about. Even sword books of the time had conflicting views. Thankfully Bruce's work clarified their origin. So Les, it's a sword that had interesting origins, and worth hanging on to. I agree with Chris, I am keeping mine as a souvenir of immediate post war Japan.

Thanks Thomas, I didn't say only Gendai, just used it as an example. Is there a name for it?

On Gendai blades, there is a flaring towards the kisaki. What is the Japanese term for this characteristic?

I won't make a comment on the for sale section, but as you mentioned it here I will. It is not a WW2 Kai Gunto, but a post war put together as a souvenir, usually sold as souvenirs to the occupation troops in Japan. Value..... USD 1000-1200 on a good day. It's only of interest as a souvenir of the period, not Nihonto or Military.

Tom, I like your sense of humour! Do you know if customs officers still destroy non-traditionally made swords (classed as weapons) when they enter Japan? I am sure yours will be ok.

George, all your assumptions correct. These swords are hefty units. Not only long, but thick and deep blades, and also very heavy. In fact, with the steel saya, my two heaviest gunto. Comparison of heavy Kaneyoshi blade to regular Showa blade.

Hi George, the Yoshitada and Kaneyoshi are in the light tan steel mounts.

Rinji.... Katsumasa.... 68.2 Katsumasa.....68.1 Noringa.....68.5 Yoshitada.....69.0 Tomonari (star stamp).....66.8 Nagamitsu.....65.8 Kaneyoshi (star stamp).....67.5 Emura.....68.5

Kaneyoshi ?

Chris (vajo), another Mano Masayasu mei, looks gendai-to no date no stamp. And John (PNSSHOGUN), you may be able to tell me if it is in '94 mounts. Pierced tsuba, and centre latch button.

A shade of blue wrap normally seen with silver blackened fittings.

This subject piqued my interest in my Hattori Masahiro to see if it was signed the same (been years since I looked). Photos attached. Up market Kai Gunto fittings, Seki stamp, not made of stainless steel, no date. Think it owes me 1200 bucks.

Firstly, I have never seen that style of tsuba before, except years ago on a Chinese fake navy Kai Gunto. Secondly, the Sarute goes into a barrel, not directly into the Kabutogane as this one does. And the first photo showed a Very Rare cloth handle wrap, which has now been removed. That handle wrapping looks just spiral twisted, where originals are also stitched on. And it is still white, and looks new, and should show signs of age and use.

Wow thanks, I never would have worked that out.

Hi Moriyama San, I am finding it difficult to see Fuji, number of strokes etc. You of course will be correct, but can you explain how the Mei kanji compares to the script.

Kanetomo?

Habaki Mon. On both sides.

Tang colour photographs differently in different light.

Mostly old blades, a Yasukuni, and Gendai. Will dig out more later.

Dave, the only paint I have seen on original WW2 Tsuba, is the brick red colour. I think Ohmura's site also has pictures of the red paint on Gunto fittings. When intact, it looks quite beautiful.

Tom, as stated before, I believe your sword is true to its Mei, and made for Mr Haruto, from Yasuki Steel at the Minatogawa Jinja. That still makes it an interesting blade. The issue is, was it originally in Shin Gunto mounts. As Mr Haruto didn't serve in the Army.