GeorgeLuucas

Thank you both! I also suspect it to be older than Shinto - just because the patina and shape feel much different than my Shinto mino katana. But that’s just my very novice observation That last photos are 100% natural sunlight, so that blue hue is hopefully a representation of steel color. That’s so hard to capture, but it does appear to have a blueish look to it Thank you! -Sam

Got some good sunlight photos during this rare sunny October day Cheers, -Sam

A best guess is a great start and all that I ask! I appreciate the input Right or wrong, every guess gets my nose into my books, and comparing features to the blade Starting with input and opinions from y’all helps me narrow my search and encourages my interest. It all helps me learn! Thanks again, -Sam

Thank you for your input! On this post, and my others. I’ve learned a lot following the leads you’ve given me The heavy hadori is unfortunate, and makes some detail hard to see And thank you @Alex A! Bizen was my first thought and I’m still leaning that way a bit thanks to you both! cheers, -Sam

I recently acquired this blade in Type 98 Gunto koshirae. Seems to be out of polish but in decent condition, the tsuka has some damage. The previous menuki had been nearly pulverized, so I replaced it with a section of chopstick for the short-term. I also added the tassel. Otherwise this is as-found Shinogi Zukuri Mumei Hamon: Notare Sori: Torisori Mune: Iorimune file marks: Kiri? nakagojiri: kurijiri boshi: notare komi? Nagasa: 60.3cm (23.74 in) total length: 75.5cm (29.7 in) sori: 2cm (0.787 in) Motohaba: 28.5mm Sakihaba: 20mm motokasane: 6.3mm sakikasane: 4.7mm Kissaki: 31.9mm I’ve got a low budget, and a thing for mumei over gimei. I enjoy the more dramatic Sori than my other swords. I also love the ww2 koshirae, and have always wanted a sword in gunto fittings. I believe the blade to be suriage and probably koto. trying to get good shots of the hada but it’s hard to see and my photography skills and equipment are still greatly lacking. Sharing for opinions, and discussion - to learn what I can from my new sword. I would love a closer estimate on its possible age Also, the sarute is a fairly simple metal band. Could I hypothetically purchase a more decorative gunto sarute and replace it? Or is that probably not worth it? more photos in additional comments* Thanks for reading, Cheers, -Sam

Visiting the southern Oregon coast on my honeymoon, and stopped in Brookings to view this sword. Really interesting bit of World War Two history, that I’ve always wanted to see in-person. It’s in a big plastic case in a library, so it was challenging to get a good photo. I wish I could see the nakago Heres a link with some of the history: https://www.brooking....us/291/Fujita-Sword Hope you enjoy! Cheers, -Sam

Looks like a great buy Jon! Its so tough to capture the jihada in images. Are you able to see it in-hand? Thanks for sharing pieces of your collection, Cheers, -Sam

I'm not familiar with Mr. Boomershine, But what did he tell you about the blade? Someone who is polishing Nihonto, and also had it in-hand, should be able to tell you more than we can with just these images

One thing that I notice is the lack of the “swallowtail” shape on the rear wings of the koshirae parts. Might just be the butterfly’s positioning Very nice looking koshirae, and fun sounding project. I’m jealous, and wish you luck!

It looks extremely similar. I'd say definitely/probably swallowtail butterfly (ageha) It has very slight differences to the Taira clan Ageha mon. Most noticeably the antenna on the Taira Clan Mon makes a full swirl/loop above the wing Whereas your ageha antenna appears to loop behind the wing Lovely piece. I'd love to see more/closer photos

I'm just a low-level militaria collector, and nihonto novice - so please take my following statement with a grain of salt: I think you got a great deal with that sword for $1000; it looks really nice. Personally, if I were considering spending ~$2500 on a gunto, I would not spend it on the sword in question; from the eBay link. Best of luck, Cheers, -Sam Edit: I hope i'm not breaking any rules here - opinionating on the price of a sale... If so, my apologies, and please delete

Hada shows mostly masame throughout, with a couple spots of mokume. I was told Yamato Tegai by the togishi - but it has not been to shinsa Love this topic, information, and photos. The small spots of mokume on my sword are enjoyable to admire.

I believe the Showa stamp indicates that the sword is not traditionally made in some way

Good questions that I’ve wondered also I’ve assumed it’s a combination of things. Maybe the overall length, and an aesthetic choice. Looking forward to what others have to say Here are my two Wakizashi with pretty different profiles; and tsuka to nakago lengths Cheers, -Sam

I would request more photos, especially of the nakago Hard to see, but that kind of looks like an arsenal stamp. Which would suggest it’s Showato rather than Gendaito. Looks like maybe a gifu stamp, or anchor? The bold hada would give me pause also… not sure what to make of that If I were considering this purchase, I’d ask for a lot more photos best of luck, edited for clarity, -Sam

Very cool! I would love to see more photos of the hand guard mechanism Cheers, -Sam

Unfortunately, I’ve seen many nearly identical fakes That rough and bold Damascus pattern is one of many giveaways Here’s a link with some helpful info http://www.jssus.org...japanese_swords.html Cheers, and best of luck

Objectively? Probably not. Subjectively? Totally!

Preserving history is the goal. Everything i've learned in the process is just a bonus! I was given a few options on next steps, but I have not decided. Rest assured - all options end with this sword being restored and cared for. Cheers, -Sam

Right?! I'm feeling very lucky / fortunate to have found both these swords for under 1k Honestly though, I think I live in a dead-zone of Nihonto collectors that are in "my budget range". Seems like i'm the only one at these shows actively looking for Nihonto thats not Gunto. That being said, I think I am done searching around locally for a bit. There were a surprising amount of nihonto at these shows, many in bad condition, and these two swords were the only ones that really sparked my interest. I'd really like to get into fully polished papered blades, Cheers, -Sam

Update: I just got word from the Togishi! He believes my sword to be Yamato Tegai school, shortened Tachi, probably late Kamikura period. The kitaeware in the kissaki is a problem, and might never polish out - BUT he believes it to be worthy of a polish and very quality work. He mentioned chikei and jinei, hakikake boshi, and mokume hada. This is VERY VERY exciting for me. I'm so glad I found this sword, got it off the shelf, and into a togishi's hands. Something told me it was special, and I'm glad that i'm beginning to learn how to recognize that (or maybe this was a total fluke ). What an amazing learning experience, and now I have a real responsibility of choosing what to do next Thank you again everyone for all your help, Cheers, -Sam

Thanks again everyone! I've got the Pecards antique leather dressing on order, and plan to take it very careful and slow. That Connoly Hide Care looks great; I've got an old saddle made in SF before great fire, and I think that might be perfect for it. The rolls royce angle is pretty cool! All great info and advice! Thank you again everyone! The blade has a wild and fun hamon, and interesting koshirae. I have a hard time seeing the jihada unfortunately. Nonetheless, I am enjoying cataloging and admiring the sword I will update when I finish the leather treatment, Cheers, -Sam