Jon MB

Thank you, Raymond

...

If you have a moment, translation assistance would be great! Apologies, the pic keep rotating..

Brian, given the ongoing interest in Mantetsu, and the ongoing increase in value, maybe a sticky would be in order. Strictly technical, divided into stages of production, examples shown, quality sources cited, no discussions about blood etc. This comment is not a critique of this good thread, but suggested in order to create a long lasting, authoritative thread on this site. If it already exists, in some form here, so much the better, I am aware there is already some fairly good info elsewhere on the net. Except, we don't want to encourage Mantetsu prices to rise, naturally..

Good pics! Many thanks.

Very nice!

Thanks Jean. I was wondering if it looked like it had been shortened, from the shape....tall order, I know. Nakago patina not entirely destroyed, mainly the ridge where the habaki has been sliding around, I think.

I was just given this mumei wakizashi. Somebody has sanded the blade surface lightly, no activity visible. I was wondering if anything can be deduced from the shape. Nagasa: 51 cm (20") Overall: 66cm (26") Sorry to hurt your eyes...Thank you for any comments.

Nice blade, nice Tsuba...

Paper wrap there. Yes, variations in mountings are very interesting...

Thanks Michael

Can't know for sure, but it's the cultural norm, never seen it done any other way there. I think pic 10 shows the effect of sharpening a bit. Mongolian knives (like the Chinese/ Tibetan /Manchu trousse sets with chopsticks) are considered good quality if they have silver fittings. The copper fittings to the koshirae here would likely have left the impression with Mongolians that this was not such a high quality knife.

Very nice piece with a very interesting connection. Great!

This came from Mongolia. Meaning 1939 Khalkhiingol capture, or 1945 Invasion of Manchuria capture. Mongolians sharpen their knives on the bottom of bowls, which has been done to this piece.

ok (Note: Rokojuro pointed out my thumb was somewhere threatening to ruin history, so I removed it). (The section of the picture showing my thumb).

Thanks for the comments guys! Two more pics.....photographing blades is just as hard as people always say it is...

Thanks Hamfish, It's all at once because I have some time at home, so I got the camera out...

Thanks Marius! Yes, kissaki, sorry. Hard to say with boshi, I think it's ok.

Apologies, some pics were a little large..

Hello All, Here is a Tanto, signed 'Kagemitsu'. Not sure if I posted it before.. Bought it in a flea market in Asia more than 10 years ago...USD 30. I think it was captured by Soviet forces in 1945. Do we like it? Should I have it polished? Notice problem with boshi, I think it can be recovered. Bizen Kagemitsu? Thank for your help, all comments welcomed. Blade:25.5 cm (10") Total: 37 cm (14.5")

Notice amulet-type script on saya for protection of user, formerly covered with leather.

A few more pics..As it is out of polish, activity hard to see...

Hello All, Trust we are having a good Saturday. I got lucky a few months ago with this. Was affordable, I wasn't too sure as I wasn't able to see the mei at time of purchase, but the price was right, and the sugata was right. A kind and experienced collector assisted me with the mei: 'Made at Sichshoto Tanren Dojo by Masanaga', 'Made for Mr Koizumi' 'Februrary 1945' I welcome all additional comments, thank you. Note the lack of Minatogawa emblem. I think the forge had already been bombed, but the the nearby forge used by Minatogawa smiths for private commissions continued to operate. Also note the Gunto type fittings. Now to gather pennies for a polish. Might take ages, as have lots of other commitments.

Styles of sabre were also presumably influenced by the nationality of contracted military advisors of the period, as well as the tastes of Emperor Meiji, an enthusiastic designer of uniforms and military dress protocols.

Same scabbard, look at throat and mark in middle.