Nicholas

I actually drove to pick up the sword in person last week. Hard to find any information or references. Do you have any ideas on how to proceed about finding out more information about the sword. Who or what it was made for. Are there any more?

Yes, I purchased the sword from the colonel’s son this is that sword. Ive seen this thread it’s where I got most of my information. I guess this is the only one that’s ever come up. Thanks Bruce

Hi, I am looking for further information on a sword I recently acquired. The sword is signed Koa Isshan Mantetsu and dated. There is also a long inscription I believe says “Presented by the railway company of Jilin, Harbin, and Qiqihar” there is also a surrender tag with the name “Dotomi Takeo”. From my research Jilin, Harbin and Qiqihar are city’s or hubs for the railway in Manchuria. That’s about all I know. I’ve never seen another Koa Isshan like this anywhere. If anyone has any suggestions or information it would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you. I would have never figured that out.

Thank you, that’s a beautiful blade you have . It appears that the sword I have has the same file marks as yours.

The condition of the surrender tag is not that great. If anything can be deciphered it would be greatly appreciated.

That’s what I thought it was. From what I’ve read they only made 229 long swords. Some have engraving on the blade and some don’t. Does anyone know how many were made with the engraving. The sword is in shirasaya. I believe that’s how they came encased in a box which I don’t have.

Thanks Bruce, I think this is a Horri Hideaki partially made from gun steel off of the battleship Mikasa.

Hello all. I just picked up this sword signed Hideaki but that’s about all I can translate.

Thank you Bruce. I’m not good with the dates.

Type (Tachi, Katana, Wakizashi, Tanto, Naginata, Other) : Katana Ubu, Suriage or O-Suriage : Ubu Mei : (Mumei, Signature) : Masayuki Papered or not and by whom? : No Era/Age : WW2 (1945 I think) Shirasaya, Koshirae or Bare Blade? : Type 98 Nagasa/Blade Length : 27.5 inches Sori : Hamon Type : Midare Jihada : Ko Itame Other Hataraki Visible : Flaws : no flaws Sword Location : New York Will ship to : anywhere in USA Payment Methods Accepted : PayPal Price and Currency : US $1200 plus PayPal fee and shipping Other Info and Full Description : signed and dated Masayuki 27.5 inch blade with showa stamp in good original polish. The blade has no flaws. Comes in original type 98 koshirae all in good condition apart from the paint on the saya. Tsuba and sepas stamped 33. It is missing 2 sepas. This is how I got the sword so the tsuba is loose. But handle and saya fit tight. Locking mechanism works fine. Brass habaki? See pictures for condition. Any questions feel free to ask. I will answer to the best of my knowledge. Pictures in Imgur link. https://imgur.com/a/tJ39Amx

Type (Tachi, Katana, Wakizashi, Tanto, Naginata, Other) : Katana Ubu, Suriage or O-Suriage : Ubu Mei : (Mumei, Signature) : Chikugo No Kuni Ju Muto Hidehiro Era/Age : 1942 Shirasaya, Koshirae or Bare Blade? : Type 98 gunto Koshirae Nagasa/Blade Length : 25 inch Sori : ? Hamon Type : Ko Choji midare with ashi Jihada : masame Flaws : no flaws Sword Location : New York Will ship to : anywhere in USA Payment Methods Accepted : PayPal Price and Currency : 1700usd Other Info and Full Description : Real name is Muto Hideyoshi, born in 1891. He was trained by his father 2nd gen Muto Hisahiro. Hidehiro served as a RJT swordsmith during WW2. Rated 1 Million yen also rated JoJo saku. The sword is in good condition with no flaws. Matching type 98 koshirae. Only issue is that locking mechanism does not work. Original polish with light scratches and staining. All around a good quality gendaito for the price.

I actually bought the Kai gunto on eBay a while back minutes after it was posted for 550$. Paid right away, then 2 hours later seller cancelled my order and refunded my money. When I messaged him to find out what’s going on he told me the sword was sold the day before it was listed. I figured it was a BS story.

Type (Tachi, Katana, Wakizashi, Tanto, Naginata, Other) : Katana Ubu, Suriage or O-Suriage : Ubu Mei : (Signature) : Toto Junin Ikkansai Kunimori Kin saku Era/Age : WW2 Shirasaya, Koshirae or Bare Blade? : Type 98 gunto koshirae Nagasa/Blade Length : 25 3/4 inch Hamon Type : saguha Jihada : itame Flaws : none Sword Location : New York, USA Will ship to : anywhere in USA Payment Methods Accepted : PayPal Price and Currency : $1800 Other Info and Full Description : Hi all, this is my first time posting anything for sale here. Please bear with me. I have for sale a katana signed Toto Junin Ikkansai Kunimori Kin Saku also known as Yasuhiro of the Yasukuni shrine. Kunimori is the name Yasuhiro used after he left the Yasukuni shrine and was forging swords at Okura Tanrenjo. If you research these swords there is a lot of debate whether these swords are true Gendaito or not with many people taking both sides. I myself believe they are true Gendaito and doubt Yasuhiro would make anything less. The sword is in decent origin polish with some staining. No nicks or chips in the blade.

To me the nakago looks artificially aged. And the polish looks off.

That’s what made me think about this. I have a ikkansai Kunimori sword. I seen the one on eBay which from the limited pictures looked like a decent sword and it got me thinking.

Thanks David. I had a feeling this post would ruffle some feathers after doing some research on the subject. I just can’t wrap my head around such an accomplished smith with all his achievements and highly regarded reputation signing a bunch of non traditionally made bundle blades someone else made. Sounds crazy, and I think it’s giving these swords a bad reputation. I can’t help but to wonder what the reasoning was behind the two signatures. The Ikkansai signed blades usually found in army type 98 koshirae and the Miyaguchi signed blades usually in navy koshirae.

Hi all, I know Yasuhiro was his art name while at the Yasukuni shrine and these swords are far and few between. But my question is, is there any quality difference between the two Kunimori signatures. It’s been stated that the ikkansai Kunimori blades are made by another smith in bundles with western steel and Yasuhiro only signed the blades but what about the ones signed Miyaguchi Kunimori. Are these blades of any better quality?

Pm’ed

Just received the books and Stephen threw in a nice sword bag as well. Everything looks good. And shipping was surprisingly fast. Thanks alot

Here’s one http://www.ricecrack...om/index_mobile.html it’s in the sales gallery towards the bottom. Dated may 1936

Thank you, I purchased one a few weeks after posting this. Thank you.