PNSSHOGUN

Well that's certainly fine encouragement for other comments from members here. My apologies for attempting to clarify reliable information, rather than furthering inane tabloid level rumours about well respected martial artists and Tosho.

Some of the information presented in the book 'Samurai Swords for the Material Battle' seems spurious at best. Yoshichika was one of a few Tosho that made swords for Emperor Hirohito's Ascension Ceremony, there were worn (or given as gifts) to various nobles or dignitaries present at the ceremony. In regards to Nakayama Hakudo, where have you read about this supposed relationship with Tosho in exchange for free swords? He was a highly respected instructor and Tameshi-Shi who worked closely with numerous Tosho including Hayama Enshin, Watanabe Kanenaga, Kojima Kanemichi, and Kurihara Akihide, to improve their sharpness and strength for cutting. Boiling these relationships down to something so mundane is rather tactless.

For active rust on the Nakago best to stabilise with a light gun oil and GENTLY rub down with a cotton rag until no more red rust appears. Please do not attempt anything more to these, as you will quickly ruin historical value. Depending on where this museum is located there may be someone close by that can provide advice.

As you've found out it's all too easy to spend large sums on very little. Invest in some patience now and decide what really interests you.

Navy Kyu Gunto Koshirae with Mon on the screw type Mekugi, typically seen on Naval Dirks:

A curious example on a Fujiwara Kanenaga sword where a Mon has been engraved on the blade, authenticity unknown:

If you're after an original WWII sword then getting a return would be a good idea. There is a huge amount to learn about Japanese swords and original Gunto fittings, as you're likely well aware now.

See Horikawa Kunihiro school. https://www.sho-shin.com/sai19.htm

Swords by Kanemasa (Baron Murata Tsuneyoshi's Tosho name) can sometimes be found with stamped numbers from this period.

Checked my four chain example and couldn't find any stamps, there's an existing thread recording various examples:

You could probably buy a nice Gunto over there selling those, the field grade tassels can fetch over two hundred USD each, same with the belts and hanger.

Does it come with a complimentary eye wash kit?

Congratulations, glad the blade cleaned up nicely. Onkashi had the important differentiation of having "Kinsaku" added to the Mei, they seem to have been only made at the Yasukuni Shrine forge.

Hi Tyler, welcome to the forum. The photos do need to be the other way round but I can see a fairly typical WWII style of Mei that more or less reads "Noshu Ju Seki Kane___Saku". This basically means "Made in Seki by *smiths name*". The small stamp indicates this was a non-traditional officers sword made during the war. In terms of restoration your options are limited, at the very least don't attempt anything yourself beyond keeping the blade thinly coated in a light gun oil. https://japaneseswordindex.com/showato.htm

Check the link on wayback, it should be saved.