David Flynn

Hizen, Shinto.

Seki Gendaito, are not highly regarded, only because Chris Bowen doesn't like them and has stated many times, that they (Generally) aren't the best quality. This is only "His" opinion and not Shared by the various sword societies. Chris has shown many times his various Bias and prejudice. His bias is towards Tokyo smiths and generally doesn't like many others. This is not "Heresay". One can check all his posts on the NMB.

The reason sword shops sold so many antique blades is, because with the end of the Samurai as a class, most could not afford to keep their swords.

As a bye the bye, I attended the SF show in 2006. At this time I had only decided to concentrate on Gendaito for a few years. Anyway, the was a chap there with a case with about, 1/2 dozen polished and papered, Yasukuni To. All of them had either Kizu or Ware, or both! This actually turned me away from Yasukuni To, until I acquired an early Yasutoku.

George, I never said, RJT had three levels. I was talking about swordsmiths in general and whether this applied to Gendaito. Personally, I would consider RJT, mid level.

I'm led to believe, of the polishers listed, the only ones fully trained are, Bob Benson and Woody hall.

Check the Tsuba, as well.

I think it's a Civilian Tachi.

Expertise d’antiquités japonaises à Écouen (patrice-sabbah-katana.com)

A tanto by Akihide would be extremely rare.

I go to Japan, almost yearly. Occasionally, I only go mainly for the DTI, however, I have travelled extensively through Japan. The reason I travel around Japan is for two reasons, first, to find sword shops, Secondly, I enjoy Japan an love the tourist aspect. My favourite sword shop is Wayy out of Tokyo. Now for my point. I have seen many swords for sale in Japan, with Green Papers. I still believe, that unless one is just a cheque book collector, one should do the research on the blade. Does it match the school? Does it match the work of the smith? With todays internet, one can just type in the smiths name and examples of the smiths work will be there to compare, as well a signatures.

The last gimei orikaeshi mei I saw was, Sue koto Kaneuji.

I began like Paul, collecting anything that took my fancy. Later, I decided I would concentrate on Gendaito. I believe I learnt much from Gendaito, as I believe most are just a continuance of Shin Shinto. However, now my tastes have changed again. I still like Gendaito, but have now branched out to all era's

I believe these type of put togethers, are post war. If it was done in Japan, why not just another military Tsuka?

Field re- fits, didn't use antique handles (as far as I know).

If it doesn't have a stamp, reasonably safe to assume it''s a Gendaito. As for using Tamahagane, Unless it's a Star Stamp or Yasukuni blade, there really isn't anyway to be sure it was used. Unless there is a record of which smiths outside the RJT or Yasukuni (Minotagawa) who used it, one would never know. Also, how would he know it's pre 1939? There isn't a date on it. Also, it appears to be a put together.

They weren't classed as "Legendary" during the war. To the average Digger, it was just something to prove they won. Pretty much the same as collecting Luger's from the European Theatre. Also, the surrender ceremonies were used to rub salt into the wound.

My Dad was in the RAAF during the war. He was in a construction squadron, which built forward air - strips. He finished in Borneo and was there for the surrender. To attain a sword there was a pecking order. However, because he was so low on the Totem, he was in a raffle, but missed out.

I don't think it's been buffed, but I agree with Ray, a very amateur polish.

Arthur, contact Paul Martin. He is a member of board of modern artists ( can't remember the initials). I'm sure he will be able to help you.

I believe this sword has passed it's use by date. Why would you even bother. Put the money towards something better.

As with swords, if it doesn't have a paper, then you pay relative to that. A huge part of collecting is, the ability to trust oneself. Of course this takes many years of learning, but, this is the crux, learning. With the aid of the internet, there is so many oshigata that even if one doesn't have the appropriate books, one may check signatures for oneself. And of course, we have Shinsa. I'm generally not into Tosugu but I know people who are and there has been items that were thought to be gimei but the workmanship matched and then passed Shinsa. I have also seen both swords and Tosugu, that the consensus was they were right, which turned out to be gimei. So then, when buying any tosugu or sword without papers, if signed, consider them to be gimei. Of course there are exceptions, but that's just that, exceptions.

Many Gendaito and some Showato, are also found with Mon.

I have been under the impression that, the Saka stamp was just an acceptance stamp and and not a manufacturing arsenal. Even Gassan swords have been seen with the Saka stamp. Also, I believe the Saka Stamp, was only on the Nakago Mune.

If it's the Nidai Yoshichika, he made both Showato and Gendaito.