Scogg

@Bruce Pennington @kleber75 Now relocating to military swords of Japan section for a new set of eyes

Thanks Conway, that's a good idea. It's been a slow going project, as I continue to learn as I progress. I'd like photos from peoples collections that are voluntarily offered for this project. The last thing I want is to put something out there, and some individual or website claims I used their photos without permission. That's a hurdle I intend to avoid, and I want my work to be crowdsourced for the good of the hobby. I have even been considering buying and selling a few 95s just to acquire some of these images I need. Basically, so far, I only have the transitional patterns (Patterns: 2a, 2b, 3a, and 4) dialed-in and am working on the regular patterns. I figured those would be challenging to acquire, so I'm feeling good about getting those. What I am still looking for is good detailed photos of the following patterns and details: - An 11mm tsuba on aluminum tsuka Type 95. - Pattern 1 = Copper handle - 11mm Brass tsuba - Offset ito at fuchi - Cap but no drag on saya. - Pattern 2 = Aluminium handle - 9mm Brass tsuba - Mirrored ito. - Pattern 5 = Wooden handle - Steel Tsuba - Side Latch - With(rare with)/Without bohi - Steel saya. - Pattern 6 = Wooden handle - Steel Tsuba - Side Latch - Without Bohi - Wooden saya. - Pattern 7 = Wooden ring handle - Steel Tsuba - Without Bohi - Side Latch - No serial numbers. - Pattern 8 = Ito wrapped handle - Steel Tsuba - Without Bohi - Side Latch - No serial numbers. As you can see, I've got a ways to go . -Sam photo example below:

@robinalexander I’m flattered, really! I have been working on a few documents. One being a download for the NMB with descriptions and photos of pattern types. What’s taking me so long is that I want to use my own, or donated photos. And my day job keeps taking all my time Believe it or not though, I still have a lot to learn on the subject. Also, there’s still a great deal of unknowns. Maybe someday though, with a lot of help. -Sam

My view may be biased when it comes to pricing, but I think it’s within the expected range. Matt is a good and reliable dealer; and both the tassel and the hanger can each be worth a couple hundred on their own, and both are hard to find. This transitional aluminum model with the mekugi-punctured ito was produced, according to my notes, in roughly the same quantities as the copper-handled versions. I have an estimated production figure of fewer than 6,000, and it’s anyone’s guess how many actually made it through the war. Just my opinion as someone who might like these "transitional patterns" a little too much -Sam

Thats a really good one, and absolutely checks all my boxes. I really love these suya transitional patterns, and with all those accessories !! Thanks for sharing, A really good one for the list. -Sam ps. This one was previously shared on the NMB this year, although without much of the details like saya number, hanger, or the tassel. Must have been a shared eBay listing or something with worse photos than what St. Croix has now provided.

Hi Jens and Bruce, I'd be happy to move it when we get some more translated. I very frequently refer to Nick Komiya's threads and his red font translated documents. I'm going to share a couple links below, the later, on the Type95, containing most of them. If you have an interest in Military Sword of Japan, these are must reads. Type 32 : https://www.warrelics.eu/forum/Japanese-militaria/system-kaizen-behind-type-32-gunto-production-1930s-788442/#post2154241 And for the Type 95 (with a lot of these documents, some also about the Type32): https://www.warrelics.eu/forum/Japanese-militaria/short-development-history-type-95-gunto-676112/ I will follow along and move it when the time comes. All the best, -Sam

Hi Logan, Unless it’s being offered at a pretty low price, I’d recommend continuing to shop around. It does look like a genuine wakizashi, but in its current condition, it’ll be extremely difficult to appreciate any activities in the steel. The hamon is very hard to make out in the photos; I suspect due to a buffing or improper polish; and the nearly nonexistent hamachi suggests a tired blade. Overall, I think you could find something more enjoyable if you wait for the right piece. Other opinions may vary, but that's what I see. All the best, -Sam

Good question. I had too quickly assumed it was this area / marks. Mark, can you confirm or deny if this is the area in question?

To me, it looks like scratching. In which case, it would be superficial; but an eye-sore nonetheless. If you are worried that it may be a crack through the hamon "Hagire", try to see if it's mirrored on the other side of the blade.

You are all good Willy; and no problem at all! These forums can take some getting used to - and our members sometimes forget the early days. It appears you're in my neck-of-the-woods, I'm hosting a Nihonto club meeting on Sunday December 7th, in Tualatin Oregon. If you'd like information about address/time, send me a message . All the best and welcome to the forum! -Sam

I am hoping that the gunto auction starts a small trend. If we can get a donation or two a year, to auction off, that could be pretty good money for the board. We'll see how it goes! One week left for bidding. -Sam

Poor forum manners are to be expected from time to time, and situations like that are usually best handled collectively, either by choosing not to engage or by reminding the poster that a little courtesy goes a long way. I also try to give new members some grace, since navigating these forums can take a bit of getting used to. What concerns me more are the repeat offenders who continue the same behavior despite guidance.

Facebook and Reddit will always be free. So if the NMB were to charge for services like translating or listing items, people would simply have no reason to do those things here. I hate to go there… but what then happens when AI figures out mei to a reliable degree? Additionally, I would hate to see the NMB be flooded with complicated little transactions for this or that; when it’s supposed to be an accessible resource for like minded people. The finances are one thing. Otherwise the translations and sales are very rarely a problem, with the exception of a select few repeat offenders who abuse the service. I don’t have the answers; but funding for the board just needs careful consideration, IMO

@Swords Relocating this and your other post to the auction and online sales section because the Auction and Online Sales section is for: “For the Discussion of eBay and other Online Sale and Auction Items or Sellers.”

Those “Is this eBay sword good?” posts belong in the ‘Auctions and Online Sales’ section so the rest of the forum stays focused. We usually move them when we see them, but some members repeatedly post in the wrong place despite being reminded and redirected over and over. The real concern, in my opinion, is when the forum is repeatedly treated as a free consultation service for someone’s resale efforts, with no contribution or appreciation in return. I thinks that’s what’s really going on in some cases. If someone is genuinely interested in Japanese swords or wanting to buy something, those identification posts are welcome and help keep the community active. But when the post is in the wrong section and solely for profit rather than learning, it starts to feel like the forum is being taken advantage of. That all being said, is it against the rules? Not necessarily, I don’t think, but that’s for Brian to decide. It’s just unethical and it always feels bad to be used. Just my personal view. Sincerely, -Sam ps. I’ll try to be more vigilant about relocating the eBay type posts to the auction section

Cosmoline or not, buying swords based solely on photos is always a risk, one that increases significantly when dealing with eBay sellers rather than reputable dealers. It’s also difficult to give meaningful pricing advice without knowing your specific goals. If you’re purchasing this piece for your own collection and enjoyment, that’s one thing. If you’re hoping to resell it for a profit, then only you can judge what margins make sense for your situation. Also, keep in mind, that many swords on eBay have already gone through the process of being bought and resold for more. Sincerely, -Sam

Koto bizen swords are known for their utsuri. Some of the most stunning utsuri I’ve seen has been on Aoe blades. I can’t quite see anything in your images unfortunately. Even in swords that are in good polish, utsuri takes a careful eye, and knowing what to look for to see. It’s even harder to capture in photos. Here's some really good articles about utsuri that might help: https://markussesko.com/2013/08/22/some-thoughts-on-utsuri/ https://markussesko.com/2015/05/14/kantei-2-jigane-jihada-3/

Obligatory disclaimer that I’m no expert. Can you get a photo of the whole blade without fittings or habaki? Preferably centered from above on a dark non reflective background? I’m surprised nobody has commented on this one yet. To me, just based on its shape, this looks like a potentially interesting sword, and with some unique and cool provenance. Are you, or the owner, able or willing to get it looked at by an expert or togishi? Might be interesting, -Sam

@vajo I recognize that as one of those notorious Iijima stamped fakes. I have very many listed just like it in the 30k and 50k range. They do look pretty good, but the bohi is often the big fake identifier for these. The stamps too, like you note. Do you recall if the samegawa dimpling was indented or raised? I have never handled one myself, so it's very interesting to hear your description, and good to know that they at least feel wrong. Sometimes I wonder if they are intentionally aged replica's. Something like, but not necessarily identical, to one of these: https://www.kultofathena.com/product/Japanese-nco-shin-gunto-sword/?attribute_pa_item-grade=standard-grade Thanks for the photos! I've got this one logged now -Sam

Yes, definitely. That said, if it’s an item you’re currently bidding on, posting the active auction could draw extra attention, and potentially more bidders, which might hurt your chances. That’s a risk you’ll need to weigh for yourself. I’d also suggest attaching a photo. That way, once the auction ends and the listing disappears, we’ll still have a visual reference here on the forum. (Looks like ya'll already covered that ). All the best, -Sam

I've recently been investigating these togi-mei. I am finding it difficult to track down any good info. I imagine these togi-mei are pretty rarely seen. I have only seen a handful myself. I recently discovered togi-mei on a katana that I own. It's not a wartime sword (o-suriage or suriage mumei, probably koto), but the polisher's mei has a date of Showa 31 (1956), so maybe this particular polisher was also working during the war? Just some speculation... -Sam One column: 君山研廣 = Kimiyama Kenhiro Two columns: 越後住 = Echigo ju = made in or resident of Echigo province 昭和三十一年 = Showa 31 = 1956 https://www.militaria.co.za/nmb/topic/54031-togi-mei-kanji-in-the-nagashi/#comment-566053

Those are great observations Chris, thank you. My focus has been cataloging the real ones, but I have also been putting together a "fake serial number list" with notes and features. Details like you describe are great things to include. All the best, -Sam

Does it not defeat the purpose of offsetting the chūso if the mekugi-ana ends up off-center directly beneath it? Really interesting! -Sam

I cannot help other than to eliminate a possibility. I once owned a showato signed by Osawa Kanehisa, and the mei appears very different to my eye. From Marcus Sesko's book, Japanese Swordsmiths: KANEHISA (兼久), Shōwa (昭和, 1926-1989), Gifu – “Kanehisa” (兼久), real name Ōsawa Kan´ichi (大沢勘一), born January 2nd 1915, student of Kojima Kanemichi (小島兼道), he worked as a guntō smith and died July 7th 1945, ryōkō no retsu. Best, -Sam

I believe their official site is under maintenance But Woody Hall is a well known US based polisher who's work is often recommended and highly regarded. I've seen some of his work and have been very impressed. As so few qualified polishers are available, his waiting list is long, and for good reason. All the best, -Sam