DTM72

Over the weekend, I picked up a WWII kaigunto wakizashi with a nijimei Kanesada blade. Looking at the signature, I already know it is NOT nidai "Nosada". I don't think Shodai made hamon of this style so now I need to figure out if this is 3rd, 4th,5th, 6th, etc. The hamon alternates between sugu for an inch (2.5cm) then 3 ko gunome peaks, back to sugu then 3 gunome peaks. Would greatly appreciate any help in figuring out the generation. Thanks in advance! Dan

Thoughts?

Not expecting a miracle of translation since it is well-worn. Zooming in on the photo showed me the remains of the anchor, and the scratches from filing or sanding it down. Just curious as to what it once said.

Would you say this is a Shore Patrol variant or maybe an early model? @Kiipu

For those of us who were not fortunate enough to make the show, feel free to politely rub it in our faces as to how good the show was. Elaborate on all the deals you found and the unique treasures that we all missed! Seriously, hope all went well for sellers and the attendees. I mailed two items for shinsa and I'm anxiously awaiting the results. Really wanted to be there and submit them myself, but work and family have to come first. Post away!

Known Shore Patrol swords for comparison. Note the differences in the non-folding tsuba, the fuchi has the push button release and the tsuka end cap.

I looked through my Fuller & Gregory and Dawson books, and have found some similar, but nothing matches what I picked-up this weekend. To me, it resembles a Navy Shore Patrol sword, but looking at the end of the handle for the anchor, it may have been removed by the owner, and some kind of number and inscription takes it's place. No anchor marking on the saya either. Wakizashi blade appears to be a repurposed shinto or shin-shinto blade with the nakago thinned down and threaded on the end. Nakago is signed Kanemoto. Blade has even light staining throughout, but hamon is visible. Unique things about this one; Handle core is wood, wrapped in black leather ito, laid flat, butted tightly side-by-side and wound in a spiral around the core. No evidence of any wire wrap ever being on this. End of handle does not have a loop made onto the end cap, that hangs down for the attachment of a tassle. This has a small loop that holds a hanging brass ring. Saya is black wrinkle finish, not chrome. Appears to be original and not added later. Black covers the saya, the ashi and the rings of the ashi. The side of the tsuba folds and engages a pin on the saya...like a naval sword. All the Shore Patrol versions I have seen do not have this feature. I'm open to opinions on this one. If I can't match it to the books, I don't know what to call it.

Ed, From what I can see, they are both signed by Kanesada, but it is not the same sword. The placement of the 2 kanji for Kanesada is slightly different. Your date is more typical in the way of how it was written (Think normal printed letters). the date on the sword at the beginning of this post is more stylized (Think cursive). For your habaki, spray some WD-40 into it, ad let it soak for a few minutes. Use a block of wood against the edge of the habaki and gently tap downwards. Once it starts to move, give it another shot of WD-40 and keep it well lubricated. You may find some old dried-up oil, gunk, cosmolene inside the habaki and on the sword where the habaki was. If the gunk doesn't completely come off with the WD-40, use some alcohol to loosen it up, but use only a good quality microfiber towel. And, of course, apply some tsubaki oil, or good quality chiji oil to protect everything after the habaki and fit are are cleaned. Good luck!

My mistake Moriyama san.

I would recommend posting in "Translation Assistance" section of this forum.

Nice looking tanto and koshirae. What matters the most is that you enjoy it and it fit your budget!

I've found a few Chinese blade makers that are forging some pretty decent blades. One thing they all seem to be completely lacking in is their fittings. How can they do so well on the blades, then put some cheap cast fittings with painted gold or gold plating!

Nanban tetsu (南蠻鉃) literally means "Southern barbarian steel"

Sophisticated...LOL

The thread for pilot swords was starting to go on a tangent to wakizashi length kaiguntos. I figured I would start the thread to get the ball rolling on this conversation. I believe @Bruce Pennington had a chart tracking short blades in kaigunto koshirae...I think? @IJASWORDS @Shamsy @PNSSHOGUN @BANGBANGSAN My kaigunto is signed nijimei 兼定 Kanesada and has a late koto period wakizashi blade. Koshirae matches the blade. Dimensions are; Nagasa = 21" (53.3 cm) Overall length of tsuka and saya = 31" (78.7 cm)

I also have a wakizashi length Kaigunto, so I would gladly jump into this conversation. I'll get one started now.

Tango no Kami Kanemichi 丹後守兼道 Opposite side is Kiku mon at the top. I can't translate he rest at the moment. There were multiple generations of Kanemichi so I cannot say exactly which one this is. 丹後 = Province where smith lived 守 = Honorary title of smith 兼道 = Smiths name Just to let you know, this is a very famous smith, and there are many fakes. Not saying this signature is faked, just wanting you to know this is a possibility. See ing pics of the blade itself will help all of us give you more information that you seek. Dan

Most recent story is the plimpton collection. Some went to auction, some were direct sales on here, some went to eBay. I got a very nice field grade kyugunto that is in near mint condition from this collection.

eBay seller sent me an offer to buy this at a reduced price. My concern is that all the photos of the hamon show that it is a suguha hamon, but one photo shows a notare (Wavy) hamon. It may be that the seller accidentally mixed another photo in with the correct photos. Just something to keep in mind on the eBay battlefield. Dan

Love the Mt. Fuji with the moon!

I remember Oda Nobunaga fighting a mountain clan in Iga that fought unconventional warfare and were ninja like, but maybe not necessarily ninja. See article below. https://www.thoughtco.com/the-greatest-ninja-battle-195580

I sent you a message asking for additional pics of the end of the saya and the end of the tsuka. I am also wanting to make you an offer on the sword, if I get the pics. Or, are you wanting to buy this sword from a site and are asking questions about it? Dan

Sent you multiple messages.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/314076629152?hash=item49206d08a0:g:z-4AAOSwxVViz~Z9 Check out the kakihan too! The sayagaki was definitely written by the honami!