Recent purchase from Willis Henry Auction Shin Gunto T94

[smicha6551]

I was sucessful in bidding in the recent Willis Henry auctions - I don't really plan on collecting swords in Gunto mounts but I wanted to have an example of one and I'd like to learn as much as I can about this sword.

 

Here's the link to the auction: http://www.willishenryauctions.com/cata ... y-sword-2/

 

And here's some photos I was able to take. http://s39.photobucket.com/user/smicha6 ... t=2&page=1

 

I'm not using a great camera (to say the least) so I wasn't able to get a decent view of the grain, and I'm not sure if the signature will be readable. I tried to take a tracing with no success either. I did lightly oil the blade but didn't use any Uchiko as that's something I'd like supervision on. If anyone can indentify the maker I'd appreciate - I'm assuming the blade isn't traditionally made, but then again I didn't pay the price...

[reeder]

Looks good, what's the cutting edge?

[smicha6551]

Do you mean the length of the edge? The auction house lists it as 66.1cm - as I'm moving my tape measures have all been stored or walked off so I can't confirm that myself.

[Daniel]

Your assumption is correct, since it has a showa stamp.

Showa stamp=non-traditionally made.

 

Kind Regards

Daniel

[smicha6551]

Regarding the Showa stamp - which marking is that one - I was looking on this site: http://www.japaneseswordindex.com/showato.htm which shows the Showa stamp but I wasn't able to ID it on my tang. I wish I was able to get a better shot of the tang (along with the harmon and the hada) but I just wasn't able to get that.

 

Your assumption is correct, since it has a showa stamp.

Showa stamp=non-traditionally made.

 

Kind Regards

Daniel

[leo]

It seems to be Kaneyoshi saku. 兼義作

As it looks like a Mino Seki style blade, the first 2 Kanji may be Kawai 河合 , but picture is not good enough to tell.

Showa stamp is easy to find, small, almost square stamp towards the base of the tang.

 

Best, Martin