robinalexander

I am new and have a question.....real or fake? Well my deutsch is better than my Japanese. I reckon it is a very genuine Type 95 early version 2. Nice piece....I would buy it. Rob PS...if you dont write back Mario I will know that my answer will need to be translated for you

Found it also thanks to Francois, just amazing Neil. I reckon you could get lost looking into that.... beautiful. Rob

Hi Neil, always going to be out of my price range but maybe you could post a couple of pics on the 'Show us your high class gunto' thread? Rob

Approximate equivalent of of US $14,300 today.

Hi Charlie, As you may well know, their auction 'legal rider', which every bidder has to agree to, may cover them for any 'embellishment' or possibly even misrepresentation. Tenmoku Auctions Inc. attempts to catalog every lot correctly and will attempt to point out any defects, but will not be responsible or liable for the correctness of the catalog or other descriptions of the lot. If it was a 17th C sword you were after and you really didn't want this one then there is nothing wrong with contacting them straight away outlying you case and include the above proof of age. Its a pretty major piece of mis advertising on their part but nothing ventured, nothing gained...if you don't try you will never know. Good luck.

Wow tks John...subject too big for me but will leave you with a Gosannokiri (3-5-3 same as Neil's) that apparently is Seal of Japan (courtesy Worthpoint).

Neil, does this help ...got it from possibly unverified Wiki source but Toyotomi clan seems to be pretty close to the mark. The Government Seal of Japan, one of the country's national seals, is an emblem (mon) of paulownia used by the Cabinet and the Government of Japan on official documents. It is one of various paulownia mon, collectively known as the Paulownia Seals (桐紋, kirimon) or the Paulownia Flower Seals (桐花紋, tōkamon).[1][2] The seal is utilized in the official emblem of the Japanese Prime Minister and the Cabinet. The 5–7 Paulownia (五七桐, go-shichi (no) kiri) is used as the official emblem of the Prime Minister of Japan. It resembles a stylized paulownia with 5–7–5 flowers. Before the Chrysanthemum Seal was used extensively, the Paulownia Seal originally was the private symbol of the Japanese Imperial Family, from as early as the sixteenth century. The Toyotomi clan, led by Toyotomi Hideyoshi, later adopted the Paulownia Seal for use as the crest of his clan. After the Meiji Restoration, the seal was eventually adopted as the emblem of the Japanese government.[3][4] It is now still mainly used by the Japanese government, as a contrast to the Chrysanthemum Seal which represents the Emperor as the symbol of the sovereignty of the State, and members of the Imperial Family.

what was wife's name "Gertrude"?

No stamps sorry Bruce.

Thanks Uwe

Thank you again Koichi...always reliable and quick. I have some research to do on this Kanemori. All the best. Rob

Hello I think this is (Yoshida ?) Kane Uji (Slough's page 72 ) but I'm not confident about the second kanji 'uji' . There are no arsenal stamps but from date would appear to be showa-to. Dated on reverse side Sho Wa Ju (10th) Hatchi (8th) ??? ....im workin on it 😊 Thanks Rob

Tks Corry, apologies an 'old moment' I think. When I saw your heading Possible repaint on NCO? and then started to read post and look at pics I got the (incorrect) impression you thought the paint job may be bodgey and u were considering 'making it right' ...my misread...all good. Rob

Hello Corry, My opinion....PLEASE do not attempt any repaint of saya. They are both ok as they are. There are lots of minor colour variations in 95 saya's and yours are no exception. Nice examples. Good retention of paint on the handles by the way. Rob

Hello Trystan, I would be interested to know why you say a lot of them went to China. Just havent heard of that one before (usually thousands of replicas/fakes coming out of China). ☺ Rob

Thanks Brian...no offence meant Hamish...but we dont see 95's advertised for sale like we did in the past. Rob

Understand Hamfish (I'd rather address your by your real name or call you somerhing 'OZ' like Hammo) but my point was not so much price, but rather, actual numbers of 95's for sale. Just dont see them for sale much anymore. Rob

Wow...must have been lucky or good buying with my seven! Rob

One of my pet hates is people, who should know better, selling something that they know is a copy/fake. Habitual with some Ebay sellers. Laws vary considerably between states let alone countries but negligent misrepresentation basically occurs when someone makes a statement without regard to the true facts. Rob

PS. And I'm not talking about copper tsuka NCO's...they are a different kettle of fish altogether.

Thanks Kolekt-To ....something about NCO's has been on my mind for a few months now which possibly relates to your thread. My point. I remember that only 3 or so years ago there were ample NCO's on the market at auctions, military sites, Ebay etc...you could take your pick depending on price and condition of course. I recall prices were ...ballpark...US $450 to $650. BUT, since Covid really kicked in it has been hard to ignore the real lack of genuine NCO stock being offered for sale/auction. Plenty of replicas and fakes but compared to 3 years ago (and further back) if seems to be 'spot the NCO'. Why? Is it possible 'loose' stock is becoming exhausted and they have been snapped up over the last 10 or more years to the point that they are now all in collections. If there is any truth in that, it could explain why these prices are now being paid? Supply and demand??? Where have all the NCO's gone? Rob

That's a good thread Bruce with some considered comments about the possible 'rise' of the MRS. I have to admit that I found that thread when I started looking at what Neil meant by MRS and after looking at his good pics. Never seen them before and great to 'discover' yet another variation with some mystery attached. Rob

And another one just noticed on Ebay https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/WW2-Japanese-SWORD-TYPE-3-OFFICERS-GUNTO-Signed-Nobumitsu-dated-Showa-18-/144188802868?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&_trksid=p2349624.m46890.l49286&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0 Looks made up to me but who knows, a lot of Type 95 sarutes are pretty shakey..... and with incorrect all brown tassel (unless Gunzoku). Rob

Geoff, To consider your question. It would be good to know (ballpark) , how many 95's and 98's were actually issued compared to RS swords. Logically, if the RS are in a real minority (numbers wise) AND they were around more-so later war (i.e. more struggle than glory) then, again logically, there may be a lot less photos. Just a thought. Rob

Very nice Neil...that particular sarute matches so well with the whole RS concept of 'more serviceable' ...'robust'....impressive piece. Rob