David Flynn

Could it be YOSHIHARU, there were two producing during the war. Some come with a small w stamp, whilst some are just 2 character signature and some have dates.

I have been told that some swords with showa stamps removed, have passed shinsa. I haven't seen one myself, except for one oshigata in John sloughs book, where it states, "Stamp Removed".

(Yuki) MUNEMITSU, page 119 John Slough's book. Though it is signed the same, some characters and the shape of the nakago don't match. However, saying that, some smiths had more than one person signing their signature for them.

If this is a second chance offer, I would be very wary. Most second chance offers on ebay are scams (fell for one myself, a few years ago). Ebay washes their hands of the whole thing if one gets stung.

I wouldn't go all Gung ho on this being Koto. There's every chance that it is Shin Shinto!. Notice the Hada! I'm not saying it's not Koto, but without holding it in my hands and checking it out for myself, I wouldn't be too hasty.

I think the next NTHK shinsa outside Japan, will be in Sydney Australia in 2011.

The Chinese are definately getting better, Yikes

Hi Moss, here is a site for you to look at http://www.sydneytokenkai.com. Tom here is the name of Someone in Melbourne. Barry Thomas warlord@iinet.net.au

I started collecting about 17yrs ago, I'm 56 now. My first sword was a gimei MuraMasa. For a few years I was collecting anything antique, had mostly shinto. I had a change of heart midstream through my collecting history and sold my collection. I then had another change of heart and began to concentrate on Gendai. So now Gendaito are my passion.

I have a sword by the same smith. The hamon is different, but the hada is the same type of O hada. I took this sword to the NTHK New York Shinsa in 2006, where it recieved a Kanteisho paper with a score of 75points, putting it in the top few swords of the Shinsa. Who ever buys this sword, I'm sure they will be happy. And Yes, it is a true Gendaito.

Past its use by date.

Again, What makes you say that?

What makes you say this isn't a true Gendai?

Congratualions Adrian. As a volunteer and and member of the Sydney Token Kai, It must be said, what a wonderful event. Except for a shakey start (computer problems ), things went very well. The volunteers did a marvelous job. I would personally like to thank them all. The Shinsa team were quite surprised at the high pass rate and reflected this at the best of show talk at the end of proceedings. Gordon gave the talk, explaining why they had picked these particular blades. The audience were enthralled as Gordon, explained step by step, why these blades were chosen. To our overseas Visitors, whether dealer or submitter, thank you for your attendence. You certainly gave this show an international flavour. To our interstate collectors and dealers, also my heartfelt thanks, as this event has finally made us a united band of Australian collectors insteast of just the local groups. I would also like to thank Sensei Yoshikawa and the Shinsa team, who worked tirelessly. I can't stress enough, our deepest appreciation to the NTHK. Hope we see many more friends from home and abroad at the next shinsa in two years. Going by our first attempt, I believe the next show will be even better. Thanks David

This sword is made by Fukumoto Kanemune. He is the son of Amahide. He made both gunto and gendai. His gunto have showa and seki stamps. His gendai do not have any stamps. This sword has, as well as the Railway stamp, a showa stamp, inicating it is a gunto. Gunto by Kanemune in this conditon go for about $1800 on ebay. Gendai by kanemune in this condition go for about $2500 on ebay. So by my reckoning, this sword has cost and extra $3000 for a Railways stamp.

As a member of the Sydney Token Kai Study Group, I would just like to thank Adrian for all the work he has done thus far. I'm sure this Shinsa and Taikai will be a huge success. I would also like to thank , the NTHK, Dr Gordon Robson, Richard Turner, Bob Benson and the Sydney Token Kai Study Group and other Australian collectors, who have already supported this project.

I would call the hamon: Togari Gunome Midare.

I have been told they are presentation swords for events like Sumo.

Unfortunately, Jin Soo Kim closed his site

The valleys are to wide to be proper sanbonsugi. Looks like, just based on the triple formular.

I had a shinshinto Fujiwara Kunitomo. It was suriage with suguha and a very straight kambun type sugata. However, the habuchi was definately one of the better ones I have seen. Also the hatarake, was fantastic, It had Sunagashi etc. and done in a extremely refined and eligant manner. I sold this sword several years ago, because I didn't like the sugata and have been regretful ever since. I don't know if this is the same smith

The sword was problably remounted. The fittings appear to be lower class antique

Depends on how much you want to spend. However, if you can push it, the sword from Aoi, is much better value

I look at it like buying a car. the cost of a new car ( not counting the cheap models ) is so much. After you buy it, it then depreciates until it bottoms out. Then after many many years you reach antique status

The tang looks like it could have been welded on