Raphael Pauli

Hello Dave, Thanks for the link you posted. I'm going read that carefully, since it seems to provide an interesting hint on the reason of the hamon-shape of Koua isshin tou. Regarding the book Modern Japanese Swords and Swordsmiths that you and Christian mentionned, especially the part you posted, these are informations I'd really take carefully because - as I can see - the authors don't mention any source. This could lead to such statements as the one we find on Mantetsu tou in Fuller & Gregory, Military Swords of Japan 1968-1945, The Bath Press: 1997, p. 78: "These blades were forged by inserting [...] into a Manchurian-made or western steel (often scrap railway lines)." Ohmura, based on original sources, seems clearly to say that this is wrong... My point is: if the methodology of the authors is bad, the informations can't be checked but just be taken for granted.

I'm glad to see that, although we still don't have a positive answer, my question generates such a debate. @Neil: Regarding the clay. In the translation of the Ohmura-site I have, it is cleary mentionned that earth of the region of Dairen was used as yakibatsuchi for yakiire: 炉温八○○～八三○度、焼入水温二五度を保ち、焼刃土は大連神社裏山に良質のものを発見したので之を用いた。 置土は自然乾燥が間に合わないので己(や)むなく瓦斯(がす)※2を用いた。※2 こ れが、焼入れにガスを用いたという誤解を生んだ 刀身焼戻しは、二○○度の熱油中に約三○分間投入したる後空気中に放冷し、歪取り、反り合せ、第二仕上げ、研ぎ等各分業で加工した。 (see:http://ohmura-study.net/223.html) Unfortunately, my translation is in French so I can only recommend you to use online translator deepl.com to translate this quote. @Jean-Pierre (je me permets de répondre en anglais, afin que tout le monde comprenne): What you say, as many other in this chat, is interesting. As your explanations seem to be founded on sources, can you please mention them? That way everybody may consult the hole text.

Thank you for your answer. In the Japanese version that someone translated for me, it is said - as in the english version - that a 500kg steel piece was forged in a rotary kiln (btw if somebody could explain me what a rotary kiln I'd appreciate it too) and streched / enlongated in the shape of a pipe with a mechanical hammer. Then the shingane was inserted in it. Finally, the pipe was cut in lenght corresponding to the weight of the sword, heaten and forged one by one. Here my question, very technically, is: how does this process looks like? How can the shingane get inserted in a 500kg pipe and be cut at the right weight? Physically, I guesse we're talking of a huge pipe and I can't figure myself out how it could be done...

Hi all, I'm trying to find out how exactly the Koua isshin swords were produced. Beside vagues explanations of english-speaking authors and the more exhaustive explanations of ohmura-study.net, I can't figure out, how the soft steel pipe was inserted in the hard one. Furthermore, it seems that all (or almost) Koua Isshin swords have a suguha hamon. Can somebody explain me why? Sources by answering would be very appreciated, since through my different readings, only Ohmura methodically quoted his sources. Thank you very much in advance.

Hi guys, To feed the debate, here a picture of my tassel. I just bought it and there was no knot at the end, I binded it myself. As you can see, mine is really short (about 30 cm). Your opinion? Kind regards IMG_0671.pdf

Hi Bruce, Thank you for your answer. I can't find the thread you're talking about, do you have the link? Also, on that page http://www.militaria.co.za/nmb/topic/25975-breaking-news-on-the-all-brown-army-gunto-tassel/#:~:text=Anyone%20have%20contact%20info%20for,gunto%20seem%20to%20confirm%20this you posted a part of an official regulation document. Do you have a copy of the hole document?

Many thanks Marc! I've been spaming this topic much more than you with my tries, so please don't apologize. I'll post my picture in the other chat to see what is said. Kind regards! Raphaël Pauli

I try again to post, let's see if it works...

I'm indeed desperately trying to post the picture but it just doesn't work... No idea why. I try again here

Hi all, I just bought this kai guntou tassel but by mounting it on my sword, I remarked it's particularely short... What do you think of that? Have you ever seen something like this? Has anyone doubts on its authenticity? Note that as I bought it, there was no knot at the end to bind the two "pompoms" together. This shorten of course the lenght. Many thanks in advance for helping. Raphaël Pauli

Hi Bruce, Thank you for your answer! I'll check that out.

Thank you all for your answers. I thought it was prohibited to sell swords on that site, hence I didn't do it directly. Nice to hear again from you Bruce. We had some mail exchanges regarding Mantetsu-tou some time before, remember? I changed my username and used directly my real one. Sorry for not doing it earlier. I thought pseudos would be ok.

Hello, I'd like to sell a guntou online, but I couldn't post it on e-bay due to their policy on weapons (wtf when I see so many on e-bay?!). Anyway, could someone recommend me an internet site where I could post a classidied ad? Thank you very much in advance for your help.