Scogg

I agree with the comments above. Looks like something severely altered, and put together to deceive potential buyers. By coincidence, I have the exact same tsuba, which came to me in a lot of miscellaneous fittings. Mine is clearly a modern reproduction or fake. It’s made from a metallic material painted black, with copper-colored highlights applied over the paint. Something that, in my opinion, suggests an attempt to imitate the look of a genuine piece. I’m not much of a “fittings guy”, but that’s how I’ve always interpreted it. -Sam

Hi @David E, I’m going to relocate this to the ‘wanted to buy’ section.Best of luck with your search for a tanto. Best, -Sam

No worries Harvey. Instead of putting them through a resizing program; sometimes cropping the image, or taking a screenshot on your phone will get them small enough to post. Although, as far as I can tell, everything looks good. Looks like a nice cutout tsuba. Interesting scabbard paint. What about the sword made you suspect forgery? Best of luck, -Sam

Hi Chris, This particular topic is many months old, and the original poster has not logged on since January. If you want tariff information, there are several threads about that subject. Tariffs seemingly change with the wind, so what was relevant in August may not be relevant today. https://www.militaria.co.za/nmb/topic/53371-importing-nihonto-through-us-customs-and-tariff-info/ https://www.militaria.co.za/nmb/topic/55055-can-someone-help-me-understand-the-tariff-sitch-as-of-22026/ https://www.militaria.co.za/nmb/topic/54422-tarriff-update-tsuba-from-Japan/ https://www.militaria.co.za/nmb/topic/52348-received-a-blade-from-Japan-in-the-usa-no-tariffs/ Best of luck, -Sam

Here's the link to the Emura that Chandler found, just for future reference: Also, here is the entry in full from Slough:

Here's another discussion from a while back. Some nice links and images included that show Emura hada https://www.militaria.co.za/nmb/topic/31267-emura/ Lovely sword. I have always had an interest in Emura blades. Very interesting and desireable. -Sam

@Great-Dane John C provided translation in your other post of this sword

From the same member too, @Kanenaga, are these two separate posts about two different copper-alloy tsunagi, or is it the same one? Would love to see the whole thing -Sam

Woops, my misunderstanding. Of course, in typical fashion, it looks like I neglected to photograph one of the most important parts! (The entire backstrap). I will get a better photo later today or when the general-grade arrives. For now, here’s what I’ve got. -Sam

Hi @Kantaro, The engravings in question are shown above, and highlighted by Hector. The engraving is of the kanji: 大井 = Ōi or Ooi I recently won a bid for a general grade dress sword. It is a pretty standard one, no mon or blade engravings; but it has some interesting stamps and the nice tortoise handle. Hoping to complete my collection with a Company, Field, and General grade saber. I will share photos of my three side-by-side when/if it arrives. I don't think I will try for the Emperor grade -Sam

Another one from one of my magazines

Hi @Gelotti Im going to relocate this topic to the military swords of Japan section; where I think you will get better feedback. It appears to be a real Type 98 Gunto tsuka. If you can show the blade and tang it will help get you the most information. The white “buttons” are nodes from the samegawa (ray skin), and you do not want to remove those. The part you want to remove is the bamboo pin indicated in the image below. In the right image it appears to be partially covered by the ito (silk wrap), so removing it may require some careful finesse. The bamboo pin is slightly conical, which means it will only come out in one direction. Based on the orientation shown, it most likely needs to be pushed toward you in the left image. Best of luck, -Sam

Hi @M Ubertini, I'm going to relocate this to the TOSOGU section. That's where most of the tsuba and fittings people hang out; and they will like to see this one. Lovely looking piece, congratulations! -Sam

https://www.invaluable.com/auction-lot/saito-makoto-1858-1936-1589-c-e6e9ce8f25?objectID=202806750&algIndex=upcoming_lots_prod&queryID=766a104cadbd61662fc74eecc2847237

Wonderful explanation @Ed, thank you! @Lewis B, I enjoy the exercise, but please understand this is just my interpretation: I would say that’s enough hakikake and expressed in a way to be called kaen. The way the nie and hakikake are wavy and then feathering away toward the yakote. Looks very flame like to me. Looks nice, -Sam

I am looking to buy Type 95 Guntō variations in good condition. I hope to buy each variant, take photographs for my document project in the downloads section, and then resell them to buy another. So please understand that I will be reselling these swords; an arrangement can be made where I sell them right back to you for the same price (and I cover all shipping). Budget 5k USD and under. This is a "long term" project, and I do not expect this to accomplish this quickly All the best, -Sam Variation 1 (Early Copper Hilt horseshoe Saya plug) Variation 1 (Copper Hilt straight Saya plug) Variation 2 Suya Variation 2 Iijima Variation 2 Gifu Variation 3 Variation 4 (Dawsons 2a) Variation 4 Variation 5 (nagoya aluminum side latch) Variation 6 (Unfullered Aluminum Suya) Variation 7 (Fullered Wood Handle) Variation 8 Variation 9 (Jinsen)

Would it be fair to say that all kaen is a form of hakikake, but not all hakikake is considered kaen? In other words, is kaen essentially a particular expression of hakikake? That’s how I’ve interpreted it, but I’d like to know if that’s the right idea. -Sam

I had this same question a few years ago. It still crosses my mind often. https://www.militaria.co.za/nmb/topic/45639-in-the-boshi-hakikake-vs-kaen/ As I understand it, a boshi is considered kaen when hakikake predominates, rather than simply being present as a secondary characteristic. This link helped me understand: https://markussesko.com/2015/06/10/kantei-3-hamon-boshi-3/ "hakikake-bōshi (掃掛け帽子) – Bōshi whose main characteristic feature are hakikake. However, a bōshi with an even larger amount of hakikake is usually referred to as kaen (火炎)." All the best, -Sam

Hi @Ben A Harris, You have what looks like a large and imposing sword in those WW2 military fittings. Are you able to take the handle off, and show us the tang? These swords were designed to be disassembled, so fear not. But still, proceed with care and caution. Skip ahead on this video to the time 6:40, for instructions on disassembling a sword in fittings.

I'd love to go this year. The Orlando and Chicago shows are still on my bucket list. I doubt I will be at the chicago show this year, but I'm trying to make Orlando happen. But it's a bit further away from Oregon @stackinnutts, I am going to relocate this forum topic to the "Sword Shows, and Events" section. Best, -Sam

When you say that you are restoring an old sword; what do you mean exactly? Are you doing this yourself, or commissioning the work through an expert? Here on the Nihonto Message Board, we are dedicated to the study and preservation of genuine Japanese swords and fittings. We do not condone or support DIY restoration attempts. These pieces are culturally significant works of art, and attempting restoration without proper and extremely specific training can cause irreversible damage. Any restoration work should be entrusted only to professionally trained craftsmen and qualified togishi. Preserving these swords for future generations is a responsibility we take seriously. Regards, -Sam

Great example, Conway! It looks like the measurements of both our swords are a bit different, and also different than the combination sword example on Ohmuras site. Although, yours is a bit closer to those specs. I believe the tang of mine is probably threaded, and I suspect it's threaded into that decorative Sakura flower at the pommel. I do not dare risk taking it apart, out of fear of damaging it. I hope @Kantaro is OK... We haven't seen him in a while. All the best and thank you for sharing, -Sam

SOLD That was quick! Thank you to the buyer. Donation incoming to the board. Will archive in a day or two. All the best, -Sam

If sold, a 10% donation will be made toward the forum.