Banton989

Thanks Didier, a few more glamour shots just for you. Lots going on in the blade under high magnification.

Hi all, Something a bit different, koto wakizashi length blade, 59.3cm nagasa, 1.2cm sori, mounted in nice fittings and same saya. Gimei to Soshu-Ju Masahiro. All fittings matching stamped numbers and on tsuka throat. Have to say I do love the same saya on some kai. Adam

There is an amendment that covers it:- An amendment to this act was passed, which came into effect on the 1st of August 2008. It allows curved and samurai swords which are handmade using traditional forging/production methods to be sold without a license. Swords with a curved blade of 50cm or more may be imported where the weapon: was made before 1954 was made by traditional hand sword making methods is only available for the purposes of use in religious ceremonies or for martial arts is for use in a historical re-enactments or sporting activity for example a martial arts demonstration for which public liability insurance is held As far as I know this hasn't been altered since. And also covers ownership. Adam

Thanks for all the opinions so far, my photography probably isn't helping. The nioiguchi is actually very nicely consistent down the length of the whole blade. Good to know what nie looks like as I have never seen it before in person.

This swords just popped up in a Facebook post!

Pic 2

Hello all, just after a bit of guidance, I'm trying to learn all I can about my new sword :-) In my pics (apologies for the poor photos) is that nie along the hamon line? Not handled an older blade before so it's amazing looking close up at the depth of the construction. I could look at it for hours lol. Is there a name for the particular nie pattern? Any help appreciated. Sorry I'm such a newbie! Thank you for your patience. Adam

Hi all, can anyone help translate this found hiding under a fuchi please? Adam

Just received a new sword from a good friend. As a new gunto collector this is my first ever koto blade I have owned, very excited! Came in very nice gunto mountings with mon. Adam

Couple more photos...

Just recieved this beautiful gunto from a friend! Silver tomoe mon, matching 509 numbered fittings, leather combat cover over aluminium saya, muromachi period blade, mino school possibly one of the Kanemoto line, black dyed fittings. I love it!

I will be 46 3/4 when I get my first koto blade. :-) I was 46 1/2 when I bought my first gunto and now have 3.

Very true, bit harrowing in places after I watched all of it. It's a shame they didn't go a bit more into the sword itself, bit of a missed opportunity. Found myself telling the lady on tv off for touching the blade too! 🤣

Just watching a TV documentary called "A Doctors Sword" It's about the family of a deceased veteran looking for information on a gunto given to their father by a Japanese officer at the end of WW2. They travel to Japan to try and find more about the sword and it's original owner. Not a bad watch. Adam

Oof, that's been through the wars.... what a great piece of history frozen in time though.

Ah that was you Trystan! Thankyou for that 😁. I thought it may be someone on here. Will see what else I can find.

松山水交社? Is what I think it is so far.

Hi all, Nice little inscription on a Kai-Gunto tsuka, I've read the top 5 kanji as Matsuyama Suikosha (Matsuyama Navy Officer Club) can anyone help with the final bottom one please? Thanks in advance Adam

Ah that would be unfortunate as I pulled the trigger on it 🙃. What are the tells?

Hi all, Spotted this Navy tassel with an almost golden coloured knot on it, any thoughts on it? I can't find any reference, replacement, embelleshment etc? Thanks in advance, Adam

Yeah when it was ran by the dad it have a great militaria section. Still a great shop! I'm the other end of the trainline from you in Redditch.

That's the one Brendan.

Thanks Alex, what else would need to match menuki? What would your guestimate be on the blade & koshirae age?