robinalexander

Ahhhh goals....what do I like? WW2 mounted blades, historical authenticity, provenance (hard to find) and a wild hamon and for me, the exquisite top shelf of hamons is Mt Fuji with, a sun! Thats my holy grail and thanks to Brian for the attached picture from his 2016 post 👍. But it didn't start that way. 2016 I went to the military museum in Darwin NT and was taken by a real gunto (98) in a display cabinet...awesome. One year later came across another one at the markets .... Koshirae in poor condition ...it had a blade of some description with scratchy writing but they wanted too much US $450 and I was with my wife 🤔 ( it could have been anything...including great!). But the collector hook had been set. So with interest at a high, I read and researched the internet and decided, on good advice, that I shouldn't waste money on a few cheap guntos but instead, just buy something of value first up. So with logic rather than heart I bought a beautiful Koto Uchigatana (influence Soshu/Chikuzen school) in nice 98 mounts, mumei from the UK (John Carlin/Bill Tagg). I wont sell it! Ok been there done that....it was then that I developed a real (maybe my original?) liking for 95's and some leather tassels. Having been one, like my dad, the NCO's will always have a special place with me. Gathered a modest collection of each variety and I'm very happy with that ✔). Then discovered 98's and bought my first (blind) on Aus. Ebay for a very modest price and it turned out to be a Teruhide with surrender tag and provenance (tsuka not off since 1945 ....I know, I know....but really, that is true). This is a good start to collecting....yes? Started buying real books, listening to people and adding some beautiful swords to my small collection. A greater interest in gendaito is developing but unfortunately and honestly, I have found that the more I think I know, the greater risk I expose myself to (no one from NMB 😊). For me, a little knowledge can be dangerous so self control and thought are things I need to keep handy in my pocket. 95's were so much easier. Collecting goals? - Like others, my collecting goals have definately evolved. If I stopped now, I would be very happy. I haven't sold any of my swords and, at this time, have no intention or desire to buy anything else but I guarantee something will come up. In the mean time I have started documenting each sword and that is an interesting and very educational task in itself. Happy collecting. Rob

JR, My message crossed over with Bruce's and he has a lot more experience than me but I suppose it comes down to personal choice. For me, I dont remove the handles from 95's ......a conservation/preservation thing.... although have to admit I did it once with a second stage 95. If the numbers on the sword and saya match then that is a very good thing. Rob

J R, Nothing to be gained by removing the tsuka (handle), usually nothing at all on the tang. You will not find any mei or swordsmith's signature. BUT be aware that if you do remove it, you run the risk of breaking screws and generally just not being able to get it back together to fit as tightly as it does now! I have a real softspot for the last of the Type 95's but they are machine made blades usually of low quality steel (not traditionally made). So in terms of skill or art, there is never anything special about the blade itself. That would be the worst struck serial number I have ever seen (maybe its the bad picture) and it would worry me a little. Is there any corresponding number on the throat of the saya (scabbard) ? Picture of mine attached. Rob

Bruce my ashi looks like it could easily date from the 1800's but that is based solely on the simplicity of construction and patina. In any event I dont think it came from the 'top shelf'. Rob

Works nicely on a Samsung tablet. Love your work Brian! Rob

It was noted in a recent post from Mark (Trying to get information on inherited Katana) that the ashi on his saya was located on the swords cutting edge side (second pic) I also have a sword with the ashi mounted in a similar fashion (first picture). Both appear to be old blades and in pic one, it is probably c. edo/koto. My questions are... 1. why was it done? 2. how common is it for this to occur? 3.does it primarily relate to old blades? I just another thought .... could be a couple of new terms for the Glossary.....Tachi-ashi and Katana-ashi Rob

No probs...will PM you tonight 😊

Sorry to say this Luke but IMO this is a fake, and a very bad one at that. It may be that the seller believed it was genuine but I can assure you it is not. I am sure there will be other similar comments in due course and hopefully it may provide some leverage for you to recoup your money. There are a number of sites that explain how to tell a fake Type 95 but just search on this site "fake Type 95" and you will find lots of info and, with respect, examples of much better fakes than your purchase and reasons why. Dont be put off collecting...adapt and overcome! Rob

Very nice Neil. To my untrained eye the blade looks more slender with a nicer form than other Mantetsu's I have seen. Is it just my imagination? Rob

John, This informatiin is from the Seidoshop.com which is a Japanese engraving shop. Sakura is Japan's floral emblem and the most loved blossom since ancient times. The Sakura mon has about 200 known variations, and yet it is an emblem that is rarely seen nowadays. Cherry blossoms represent beauty, but they are also a symbol of death because they soon wither away. Several Buddhist temples use the Sakura mon as their emblem (jimon), notably in the ancient capital of Nara. The Sakura mon was also used as a sub-emblem (kaemon) by the Hosokawa, lords of Kumamoto Domain. Rob

Bruce I haven't seen Merry Xmas Mr Lawrence for quite a few years but from memory, the habaki/saya fit on Sgt Hara's sword wasn't that great. Maybe no chuso, but I recall the blade came half way out of the saya in one tense early scene and it stayed half way out for a little longer than was comfortable.... for me anyway. I couldn't help thinking that it could have been one of those things that unfortunately occurs when shooting of a movie but, for whatever reason, the director decided to leave it in. Maybe it was not an uncommon occurrence and therefore made it more factual and realistic??? Rob

I second Neil's recommendation. Rob

Close up of sho stamp for anyones interest Rob

Hello Bruce, no unfortunately nothing on reverse side. Thanks for the tip on Stamps of the Japanese Sword I will follow that up, got to be easier than the 'stamps thread' Will have to get a another Oshigata book as well that supplements Slough's (mind you I don't want a complete library) so happy to take a recommendation on that. All the best Rob

Thanks Steve, good tips too. Will go back, revisted with your info and try (try mind you) to consolidate 😊 Rob

Ok so I have this nice Wak (suguha/combat cover) that I have tried to translate between my best friend (Mrs), the Olympics and Slough's Oshigata = 4 hours, which incidentally is nothing to this retired person....but, I have given up with no conclusive result. It appears to have a Sho stamp (but the inside dosn't look quite right???) therefore made for/during WW2 which I believe from a very reliable source, is rare for a Wak. I might start a thread on that matter as soon as I get this sorted. For my first real attempt, and I am sure a chuckle for a few members I have come up with...... No Shu Izo or Roku or Ama ????? Nin or Hachi Kane Mitsu Saku Kore So I clearly have something wrong in there 😂 ..... need some help...but feel its Kanemitsu but can't recognise that in Slough's. Thankyou in advance. Rob PS...as mentioned, I also went through the Arsenal Stamps thread and have trouble matching the exact stamp on my Wak ??

Neil beat me to 'Merry Christmas Mr Lawrence' so I will add that Clint Eastwood/Spielberg + 1, classic 'Letters From Iwo Jima. Rob

Yes Dale in the latter years of the war when raw materials began to dry up there was a concerted push by the Japanese powers that be to press family swords into service. Thats why we see some old blades in gunto mounts rather than IJA arsenal stamped blades. Also, it appears to be quite common to have a mixture of fittings (even tsuka) and more commonly civilian tsuba. Even if a late war donated/bring along sword had mixed fittings, the one thing that appears to be consistent is fitting of a leather (combat) saya cover. Agreed, I could mount in a period fit out but didnt want a project and it has a nice well fitting tsuka and I suppose most importantly, I will leave it as I found it as it does all fit well. Even with the cheap rabbit tsuba 🙁. Thanks again. Rob

Thanks Dale, I really appreciate the quick response and the time taken to fully explain what I have. If they came out, or have been around since the 50's then it's certainly not part of the swords WW2 mountings. I have to wonder what tsuba was on it originally......something nice I bet. I really wish people would just leave historical swords as they found them. Dissapointing but I'd rather be dissapointed than to be under any false illusions about it historical worth. Thanks again Rob

Hello Tsuba experts, I have absolutely no knowledge or experience with tsuba's and am therefore throwing myself on the mercy of the court. The attached tsuba is attached to an early Edo or late Koto blade with a very genuine WW2 tsuka and combat cover saya. The tsuba could be original or it could have been swapped by the middleman/dealer who bought it from the vets family. The mounts were pretty nicely tight when I bought it. As I said,,I have no idea about tsubas but on a quick search I found lots of comments about rabbit or bunny tsuba (no idea what thats about). Specifically, what I dont like about this tsuba on an old WW2 blade is (what looks like) a really badly cast mimi and generally, the 'new look'. I have no idea about anything else. Looking fwd to any comments and happy to provide any further pics if required. NB...its actually a pewter colour but I used a halogen light in order to get better resolution so it turned it a little orange.ish. Thanks Rob Rob

Sorry Bruce, no truthful story in that really.... I can still give a 'high five' (with each hand 😊). Your words "and you can feel, as you slide an oiling cloth or paper towel along the blade" very much reminded me of what goes through my head every time I carry out that manoeuvre when cleaning/oiling my sharper blades. A clean swipe from habaki to kissaki has that sobering effect on me. Many years ago when I first developed an interest WW2 swords (c2018 😂) I remember reading an article wherein the author said something along the lines of ...'if your intending to collect Japanese swords then at some point they will cut you'. Too true in my case and in fact have done that twice. Not serious in any respect and definitely not due to tomfoolery or inebriation but simple over familiarity (is that the same as neglect?). Something strangly spiritual about being cut by a Teruhide or is it simply the result of a lack of concentration? But thanks for your concern although the actual loss of 4 digits would have made for a much grander Teruhide encounter. All the best Rob PS ....Maybe a new thread could be started, reading something along the lines of a butchers sandwich board...... "Best Cuts this Week" 😂

Agree Bruce, but I have also felt 'the wobbles' in far superior blades...or, at least I did, when I had four fingers 😂 Rob

Thanks Geraint appreciate the enlightenment..I really should have thought of that 😮 it all adds up. Cheers Rob

Ciro the blade looks really nice to me. The nakago however looks 'odd' even a bit new? Looks quite solid with quite pronounce 'clean' edges (like a piece of bar steel) the nakago-jiri also looks wide, cleanly cut and angular. The mekugi holes appear largish and clean. Dont wish to be negative and you should not read too much into my observations because I dont have the experience other members. Did anyone else notice these things or are they quite normal? Rob

Looks like successful bidder actually paid 550,000 Yen.....around US $5K.....blows me away. Might hold ontk the 95's until Japan relaxes it's import laws a little 😉 Rob