John C

I imagine the difference is probably just semantics. Any utilitarian object made the best it can be by a craftsman can turn into art when the craftsman elevates the object to be aesthetically pleasing, which is of course, subjective. So craftsman can become artists. But can artists, those who make objects that are solely aesthetically pleasing, become craftsmen? And the Beat goes on... —the Whispers— John C.

Adrian: The stamps are correct, though they look double struck to me, and the scabbard has matching serial number, which is good. It is a fair representative sample. You could find one with a brass tsuba and leather tassel, if you were looking for a more complete example (nothing wrong with the iron tsuba, just not as "pretty"). For a nice example, you could look for a copper handled version. I would say 700-900 would be average for this example. John C.

Sam: Was it in the same condition? Seems odd someone would hold onto a blade for just 3 months then sell it at a loss. John C.

Jackson: If I can offer my two cents, in terms of the tone of the meeting, it helps to remember that of the 4 official classes set forth by the tokugawa shoganate, the merchant class was below samurai. The meeting, while professional, may be a bit one sided. John C.

George: It looks the same to me; even the securing knot. I think the difference may be the twist of the ito in the hineri style as it goes over the top. Yours is twisted on the bottom but flat (edges tucked under) on top, whereas the hineri looks twisted on the top as well. That's what I'm seeing, anyway. John C.

Actually, it's already my hobby, which I hope to turn into a living. I'm finishing my next fiction book currently about a Samurai Constable (Doshin) who investigates murders in 1860s Japan. John C.

Donated swords could be as short as 54.5cm (21.8 inches). John C.

Scene: On the train from Southern Cross Station, Melbourne The dust blew across the wide dirt road on the outskirts of Ballarat, bending the wheat fields in one direction. Frank stood anxiously waiting for his love, holding his wide-brimmed hat with one hand against the gale and squinting to keep the blast out of his eyes. The sound of the whistle from the steam train could be heard from a mile away, only making his heart beat faster. With a screech of steel on steel, the train rocked to a stop just in front of the delapidated wood station. The word Ballarat barely readable. The weather suddenly cleared just as Fumiko stepped off the stairs from her car. She looked around nervously until she saw Frank, their eyes locked for a moment. Dropping her one bag and rushing into an embrace, he couldn't believe the day had finally come—the day he would propose. Without hesitation he dropped to one knee and removed the ring box from the large pocket on his coat. Tears streamed down Fumiko's face as she nodded and said a shy "Yes" before Frank could even ask. The walk back to the farm was long. But Frank and Fumiko both felt they could fly there if they wanted. End Scene. John C.

Marcus Sesko lists 3 Kanetsugu that use those particular kanji in that era. All are listed as gunto smiths. Value would depend on whether or not the sword is traditionally made. Are there any stamps at all that you can see above the signature or date? If not, closer shots of the blade may give us a clue as to traditional or non-traditional. If traditional, I would say 2000-2500 for the whole package (with bayonet and paperwork). If non-traditional, 1500-2000 for the whole package. These are just estimates, of course, based on what we can see right now. John C.

I believe they were semi-traditional. If memory serves, they were hand forged from monosteel and oil quenched then electroplated in Hakusui Inami's workshop. He was also making knives and cutlery sets at that time. John C.

Robert: If you can find a copy of Leatherneck magazine, Aug. 1955, there is an article about the Marines buying parade swords from the Japan Sword Co. It seems most of the honor guard did this. Here is a shot from the article of marines inspecting the making of their swords. John C.

Similarly to Jean's thoughts, I would expect some difficulty in finding specific examples from that time period since the samurai class was abolished and the wearing of swords in public was prohibited. Swords, and I imagine koshirae, were becoming more art obects at that time so there was less need for mid to low-level mounts. I suspect most would be pedestrian examples from the satsuma rebellion (1877). Smiths, particularly in the Seki region, transitioned to making kitchen knives and scissors. Just my two cents, John C.

Well. I guess as soon as the buyer posts it here, he can remind the auction house of it's claims and get a refund. John C.

These were issued for customs so that no unauthorized "war trophies" were being brought home. But swords were given out to soldiers by commanders as gifts by the dozens. Swords were even sold in the 8th Army PX after the war. This paper should stay with the group as provenance. Also, a few posts up I gave you some additional information on the bayonet. John C.

Odd that someone who sells real treasures would touch a blade with his bare hands. Do you think he knows he has such special objects? John C.

I'm going to say not likely, though not impossible. Marines would have picked up military swords on the islands. One exception may be the town of Naha on Okinawa. There could have been civilian swords there. But given the quality of the fittings, I think Bruce's assessment of it being during or post war civilian is most likely. No absolutes in this hobby just probabilities based on what we have seen before. John C.

Kris: I'll start you off. The only thing I can say for sure is that it was not made by the military. The mounts are civilian and the blade does not have the typical stamps as a military blade. But it still may have been used in ww2. Some civilians, called gunzoku, who worked for the military would be allowed to carry swords. As to the blade, I will leave that up to others to discuss. John C.

Ashley: Your bayonet is indeed the late war "last ditch" version charactrized by an unfullered blade, riveted slab wood grips, and straight guard. The mark is the later version from the Matsushita Metalworking Corp. With frog I would guess it would be worth 125-200 to the right collector. John C.

Ashley: Just an aside, the type 30 bayonet you have could be a late model version (need to see the quillion better), however the frog attached to the scabbard is probably worth as much as the bayonet if not more. Just something to keep in mind. Also, I agree with everything said above - the paper and the sword do not go together, AI is useless when it comes to identifying swords, and we need to see the tang to make any kind of judgements as to maker and value. John C.

Thank you for responding, George. Here is a wider shot of the whole piece. To answer your questions: yes, the holes go all the way through and seem to be unfinished, i.e., not sanded or rounded off at the openings. The blade is hand forged and has a hamon, however probably oil quenched if I had to guess. No other markings on the blade at all. John C.

Sounding out the name on the tag, I wonder if it is Yoshi Nabu or something like that. John C.

I hadn't seen this before. A 椀型Wan-gata tsuba. Seems like it would almost act like a basket hilt. https://www.ebay.com/itm/267698595756? John C.

Hello: I have a question about this kogatana. It appears to have the shape of a hyotan drilled into it. Has anyone seen this type of thing before? Could this be a hyotan or just someone who got happy with a drill? Thanks for looking, John C.

I had to laugh, Russ. At least you have owned a couple of them! I love them as well and have never even seen a real figural one, much less owned a figural one. Probably couldn't afford it if I did come across one. So I am relegated to collecting obi-hasami netsuke. I think you are lucky for at least having had a couple. John C.

Some additional info: A good book on these, a print showing jitte and torinawa in action, the author of the book dressed as a yoriki and a doshin. John C.