robinalexander

From what I can see, that is a very nice 95 package Trystan

Yep Brian, I'm a little confused myself!

Sold at Pottle Auctions Sydney Aust. last week. I didnt follow auction as the condition report described it as a very average condition 95 (but with canvas cover ✔). Bidding was well over 2k aud. a couple of days before the auction. I tuned in late that night, post auction, to see sale price of Aud. 10k. but there just be something amiss there me thinks. In any case, it has a canvas cover.

Hi Seth, On face value, looks like a Type 98. What I find unusual is the colour of the Ito and even more so, there doesn't appear to be any sarute hole in the Tsuka (?). That's a worry in terms of 'original authenticity'. Rob

Thanks mate...will checkout those leads

Just listed for sale by Dan Griffin (Griffin Militaria)....recorded as .......... Additionally, there is an open channel in the lower scabbard, approximately 11 inches from the base, where a bullet strike opened the scabbard. The sword blade apparently escaped damage from the bullet’s impact.

Hi Bruce @Bruce Pennington, do you recall where the thread was, or what 'key words' I could use? Tried 'double hamon' ....'two hamon' ...'phantom hamon' = no luck. Rob

Hi Randy, Obviously no further pics are needed for translation but, like others, I would be interested to see a couple of pics of the blade, tsuka and mounts. If you have time. Rob

Hi Luna, My 'two bobs worth' ..... and no offense meant.....I have never seen a nakago like that and I really wouldn't even bother picking it up off a market table. For me, the shape of the blade leaves a lot to be desired. Referring back to your original thread....blackened same (kai ?).....but not Kai kobutogane . Saya fittings = not kai but possibly post war at best but more likely replica (saya-jiri = bad replica) Reallly like the chuso button in the first thread though Having said that.......I have been wrong before! But I still wouldnt part with money for it. Rob

Yep I reckon yr spot on ... there was a big (no pun intended) difference in his weight between your c1930's pic and probably any of the later war pics. You would think the stress of loosing his grip on the Phillipines would have kept his weight down in the final years. Or maybe he took comfort in eating his worries away. Just an observation that is more noticeable with Yamashita than most others of similar rank. R

thanks John. I just came across this rather impressive picture of Yamashita so will post for interest.

Fascinating subject John....what rank do you think he was in the 1930's ? Rob

Michael, thanks for sharing, I'm sure it not always easy to do that. Many of us could relate to your (and others involved) personal circumstances at the time of liquidating your collection. Not wishing to appear flippant, but I find it of much greater interest to know what actually happened, as in your case, rather than reading through the many threads about what members intend to do, or wish to do, or would like to do in selling/dispersing their collection. Notwithstanding, they are interesting in their own right. On occassions, when negotiating a possible purchase, I make it known that I am a collector, not dealer (no offence dealers!) because that's what I am. Like most, I am not going to on-sell. I have the first Koto I bought, and everything after that. But one day I ... we ..... will find ourselves in a position that is not dissimilar to yours. I can say without reservation, the collector friends I have made on NMB are exactly that, friends and collectors, not opportunists. Thanks again for your honesty and personal insight. Rob

Do they have beer?

Hi Piotr, I know that many other NMB members have them but for your interest and comparison here are pics of your TERUHIDE Ishido mei followed by my own. No date or stamps on mine either. Rob

From a 2017 thread courtesy @PNSSHOGUN showing the Kai Gunto of Lieutenant Kenshi Chuma, recovered from the midget sub that attacked Sydney harbour. Now held at the Aust. War Memorial. As the newspaper of the day stated "The copper guard is inscribed and is shaped to represent the rising sun" thanks Ian @Ian B3HR2UH . Not post war polish and unlikley to have been polished by the owner. The tsuba is thicker than the blackened version with possibly with a squarer edge (?). On balance, just higher grade fittings. Rob

Peter, I have always believed this colour and metal was either early war material (quality dropping later) and/or personal upgrade by the owner. There seem to be enough of them around to suggest, at least to me, that they are 'as original' and not polished as you suggest. Interestingly, i have noticed the metal fitings on swords with these types of golden 'rising sun' tsuba/seppa's are also of a much higher quality than those on the more 'blackened' Kai Gunto tsuba/seppa. Accepting that all were probably gilded originally. Having said that, I learn something new every time I log in here so, open mind. John @PNSSHOGUN may have some ideas on this as well. The attached picture shows Yoshishige on the left, Mumei 'stainless' centre and Kaneyoshi on right. Rob

Thanks Ray, much appreciated. Rob

Hopefully just confirmation.... Kai Gunto (ext. drag, early fittings & Ishime saya) I think it is Yoshishige and dated 1942 (Showa 17). Not too sure on that second kanji (shige) ? Approx. 5mm Seki stamp Interesting that the cutting of the date on mine bears a close resemblance to that of @Eds Kai (Daido) translation yesterday..THREAD..."Katana which I could use some help with translation. Just came in today" Thanks Rob

Is this any good Dan ?

Thanks for your comments Baz and Bruce. 'FWIW' that confused my for a moment Bruce ...... FTR (look that one up ) this Tenshozan tanrenjo (Kai Gunto) is unfortunately, not my sword notwithstanding my best efforts. Rob

Thanks Bruce, I'm putting my money on scratches though.

Bruce have looked and looked and cant see it....can you point it out in some way? Pierced Tsuba = nice. I believe this has an earlier aluminium saya. From the first pic of the nakago (5 of 5) the mekugi ana seems to be quite clean however the rust has ravaged the edges of the nakago quite badly to the point of it being quite misshapen. I find that interesting. Is it mumei or has the rust just taken its toll on any mei? My guess is mumei. finally, does anyone know why the ashi is mounted so high? Certainly a piece of WW2 history. Rob

Fantastic Koichi you have made my day, and for me today, thats a very nice thing. Take care. Rob