Edward S

Oh Dear.....I seem to have stirred up a hornets nest with my Navel Gunto and anchor Mon. I bought this sword quite a few years ago from another collector. He did not want silly money for this sword so I bought it along with two others. The reason I bought this sword was because of the unusual Mon (I do not claim to be an expert on Naval Swords but I have seen quite a few over the years) In fact I have only ever seen one other example like this before and that was in the shop of Chris James (Warwick) About 10 years ago I discussed this sword with a well known author of our collecting interest (already mentioned above in another post) who came to the conclusion that it was rare. He never used the word fake. The sword is stainless steel with the Toyokawa Naval Arsenal Stamp (exact copy of the Mon) and probably made at the Navy Kamakura Tenshozan Workshop, although I am willing to be corrected on that. The Nakago also has the other ‘sometimes seen’ stamp/mark that is still not fully known and translated as ‘That other’. The saya is shagreen and the fittings are genuine and in good order. The 3 kanji on the nakago appear to make up the name ‘Inanami’ which I am still unsure of. The sword knot is indeed a repair (Grey spotted it straight away) at some time in the past, the knot parted and was bound with what looks like silk thread and then lacquered to hold it together. If you look at the Mon, it is quite different to the one on eBay (see pics) The Mon on my sword is exactly the same as the stamp, i.e. it has a anchor ‘eye’ at the top and not as the example on eBay. In truth, I do not know whether the Mon were added post war or not and neither does anyone else. What I do know is that this sword is quite genuine and is of interest to collectors. This is one of those situations where there is no definitive answer. I am happy for people to reach their own conclusions about my sword. It even has a couple of file marks for Bruce to get excited about! Edward S

Here’s one of mine. Anchor Mon on Kabuto Garne and Tsuba. For your interest. Edward S

Bruce, I can’t upload pic for some reason. The three scratches appear to be ‘mi’ from your chart. If you want pics, perhaps the administrator can give me a steer on uploading. Edward S

Hi Bruce, Here is the pic you wanted. Let me have your opinion on it please. Edward S

Hi Bruce, I have a Mantetsu. Spring 43. With 505 on mine. It also has three file scratches above 505 but I have never identified these marks. Edward S

Hi One and All, Here’s one for the collection it appears to be figure ‘8’ or similar that has been struck in TO a KANEMICHI 1943. I am not sure what it is buts it’s there. Any info on this particular stamp would be welcome. Edward S

To me it’s showato rather than gendiato all the way. My reasoning for this is I think the star stamp is not original to the sword but looks to be a later addition and appears to be stamped over a sho or Gifu stamp. This leads me to the conclusion that it is by the Seki Kanehide and is showato, why someone attempted to ‘up-scale’ the blade is anyone’s guess. Although not a traditionally made blade, It is still a nice find and worthy of preservation. Edward S

I am still researching my NAGAMITSU and after cleaning up the tsuka I have noticed that there are marks on the end of the tsuka and I was wondering if members have any definitive information on what they represent. The assembly numbers on the tsuba and seppa are 66 and the kanji on the right hand side of the tsuka are the same so I am clear about that. However on the left hand side there are two kanji that I can’t quite make out. They look like a name and my question is ‘is that the name of the person who assembled the sword, or could it be the name of the smith from the NAGAMITSU forge who actually made the blade but signed in the masters name’? The photos are not great but any considered opinions would be appreciated. Edward S

Hi Klaus, I do not have the book you mention, but thank you very much for providing the information on this smith. Edward S

Hi Ray, Thanks for replying, nothing as yet from other members. I am sure this sword had a stamp that has been removed and because I think it is traditionally made I think it could only have been a star stamp or tan stamp..... but there is not much information out there on this smith. Edward S

Hi One and All, I am trying to research a gunto I have by Nakagawa Noriyoshi. Apart from a mention in Harley’s and a reference in the Nihonto Club index that’s all I have. I was wondering if anyone has any more information on this smith. Interestingly, there are no stamps on the blade but I think a stamp may have been removed sometime in the past. It has a very wavy hada and plenty of nie in the Harmon. I found the ‘blade only’ with half a saya quite a few years ago and have recently had it cleaned up and put in a made-up koshirae with bits I had lying around. Interested in your thoughts please. Edward S

I’m with Bruce on the scabbard. As for the blade, don’t forget these swords are functional and were issued with the intention that they will be used in battle. There are accounts of these swords being used to cut through barbed wire etc. I do not think the damage you show detracts from its history or value. This is a nice machine made blade in original polish with possible war damage, I would say leave it as it is. Just my opinion. Edward S

Hi Matt, If this post is for me, my opinion for what it’s worth is:- This NCO sword looks to be genuine and in good condition, if you picked it up for a very good price then I personally think you should be happy with it. In the UK this would sell for £400 - 600 via a dealer. Copper handled NCO swords can fetch up to £1200 - 1500 believe it or not with low serial numbers and in good condition. As for the painting of the tsuka, I have seen that quite a few times so is not unusual. As for the lack of a serial number on the scabbard, a purist would have a problem with that, but if you paid little for ir it, the scabbard looks right to me so just enjoy it. In terms of other options, if Gunto is your interest, look for an Officers sword next, there are dozens of variants and a good area of study. Edward S.

Thanks to Kyle and John, This thread seems to have fallen flat. I have tidied up the Koshira and put it in the rack. From my own research I have come to the conclusion that it is from the forge of NAGAMITSU but probably by a student or apprentice and signed by a different Mei cutter in a similar style. The blade is very good for a gunto and shows quite a bit of activity, there are no ware as photo suggests, it’s very clean. Whether the blade is made from the NAGAMITSU stock of tamahagne or some other steel I am not sure.......it’s back in the rack! Manny Thanks Edward S

Here are a few more pics as requested. Kyle, I take your point exactly, I guess I was just repeating what I have read and been told about NAGAMITSU over the years. I guess in truth we will never know the complete story about students/apprentices and Mei cutters. My knowledge is fairly minimal, I just really like Nihonto and I have the greatest respect for those who have actually done the research in Japan to improve our knowledge. Before I spend any more money on this blade I just would like other opinions on it. Edward S

I recently picked up two Gunto from a 92 year old vet who served in the Far East during WWII, he says he has had them since the end of the war and had kept in his bedroom ever since. one is a KANESADA which I have part exchanged with someone else and one is a NAGAMITSU which I am keeping. I already have a NAGAMITSU with the usual style of Mei and very happy with it. But this one is by a different hand and I would appreciate members considered opinions. Firstly the style of the Mei is similar to what is normally found on a NAGAMITSU but in my opinion by someone else. In this case the kanji for ‘Naga’ has three horizontal strokes and not his customary two. It is also signed ‘Katana’ Mei and not ‘Tachi’ Mei like most of the others. The blade is not the usual NAGAMITSU style, there are no stamps of any kind and the construction is more slender and is in my opinion a well forged blade in 98 mounts. Omura has a similar NAGAMITSU on his site but I have always viewed the Mei with a slight amount of caution. We know that due to the volume of NAGAMITSU blades out there he could not have made them all himself, so my question is, is this by the man himself, an apprentice, did the usual Mei cutter have a day off or is it by someone else entirely? Edward S

Hello Morita San. Thank you very much for your assistance with the translation. Edward S

Many Thanks Kyle, I’ll keep working on it and if others know the other two kanji that will be great. Edward S

Hi all, I have had this signed tsuba for quite a few years and I am hoping that the more knowledgable members of the board can help with two things. Firstly, the kanji translation please, and secondly I have read elsewhere that this may be a ‘Smith-made’ tsuba that may have been a tsuba substituted for a decorative tsuba for the purposes of battle? The tsuba is made of iron and has a reddish/dark brown patina. My very best to you all. Edward S

Hi Ian, I do not have the Officers name via a surender tag or other documentation. If there is a data base of names of Officers that had a Yasushige made I have never been made aware of it. For now Umesaki from Steve M is the best opinion I have and I will adjust my records for this sword accordingly. Thanks.

Many thanks to Steve M and John for taking the time to look at my post. Alhough I am new to the NMB, I have observed it for years and I have never seen a similar Mon, I hope other members may have other examples with definite ID of the mark. The theory of an officer without a family crest having this specially made is not one I have previously considered but I guess it makes sence. All the best, Edward S

Hello one and all, I have a Gunto with a Mon which I cannot identify. If any member knows the meaning (Almost certainly a family name) I would be grateful. The sword is a Yasushige. Best Wishes, Edward S

Many thanks Bazza and John, That has given me a start. Although I have been collecting for quite a while, my knowledge is just one point above zero! From reading the information so far I have already learned quite a bit. Best Wishes, Edward S

Hello everyone, I am new to NMB and this is my first post/request. I tried posting this elsewhere on the site but I think I may have done so in the wrong place! Still finding my way around the site. Anyway if anyone can help me with a tsuba I have had for many years I would be grateful. The tsuba came off a badly damaged Wakizashi that I was given by a friend. The only salvageable parts were the tsuba and the Fuchi the rest of the ensemble was not worth keeping. If anyone can help with the translation and if they have any other info on the maker that would be appreciated. Many thanks.