Introduction And First Gendaito (Warning: Picture Heavy)

[Pteradon]

Hi all,

 

This is my first post on this forum, so I would like to introduce myself.

I'm Dave, 40 years old and living in the Netherlands.

 

Like my father, I've always been fascinated / interested in Nihonto's.

My father never bought a Nihonto because he did not have the knowledge to distinguish a real from a fake one.

 

2 Weeks ago a Shingunto Gendaito came on my way which I bought.

The seller told me that he had taken over the Gendaito 12 years ago from another collector.

It would be a Gendaito blacksmith Nagamitsu and manufactured in 1942.

 

Given my lack of knowledge about this type of swords, I can not confirm this.

Because of this I came to this forum to learn and read about Nihonto's.

 

I also like to know your opinion about this Gendaito.

 

 

 

[Pteradon]

more pictures

[Pteradon]

and more

[Ray Singer]

Unless research has been done regarding the nuances of his signature in different years, I do not believe that you can date the sword so precisely to 1942. There is no nengo (date inscription) on this sword.

 

Regards,

Ray 

[Stephen]

I have tried to link you to the Japanese sword index and the ways Nagamitsu signed...{site down} I have you seen the page on Nagamitsu

looks like you have one of his more sought after signing with full name. Good find not sought after all Gendaito enthusiast, i and a few others do like his work.  

[Rich S]

I think the page you are trying to link to is :

 

http://www.japaneseswordindex.com/naga.htm

 

Rich

[Pteradon]

Thank you all for the information.

 

Looking at the signatures from the link Rich mentioned,

i find the picture "F" looking the most on the signature on my blade.

 

To bad that are only three figures in that signature instead of the five figures on the blade.

[reeder]

NIce, I'm a Nagamitsu fan as well.

[mdiddy]

Looks like an earlier sword by Nagamitsu. Can we see more of the hamon? I think togariba is fairly rare for his work. He is mostly known for Bizen style choji. He must have been fairly versatile, or at least willing to experiment. I have had a couple of blades by him in Soshu style with profuse and dense nie along a notare hamon. This hamon looks Mino-inspired at first glance.

[Pteradon]

Of course Matt.

I have just made these two pictures of the hamon.

Hopefully the quality of the photos well enough to be able to see something in it.

[Stephen]

does have a mino feel huh?

[mdiddy]

Yes it does have a Mino feel. It looks like he was aiming for Kanemoto. I wish we could see the nioi guchi. I expect this sword does not have the typical oil-tempered effects of showato that also seek a Mino style.

 

Nice sword. Thanks for sharing. If you happen to take more photos, please share. 

[Pteradon]

Thank you.

 

I have just tried to make some detailed shots of the hamon,

but the result were a little disappointing.

 

A colleague of mine, takes pictures for her hobby. Maybe she can help me with.

 

A question:

When I look at the forum, most Nihonto's are pretty polished.

As you can see on the pictures is the Gendaito scratched here and there.

Can you give me advice herein concerning the Gendaito neater gain / polished?

 

[hxv]

Dave,

 

The polish on your sword looks OK, so I would not recommend having it polished. Polishing a sword costs a lot of money and removes precious metal from the blade, hence shortening its serviceable life. 

 

Hoanh

[Pteradon]

I dont know where to put this request in this forum.

Therefore i am asking this here. 

If this is not allowed, then I apologize.

 

I just found this Japanese flag on the net.

The seller is asking about 150 euro's.

 

I was wandering if this is really a original flag from the WW2 era.

The size is in cm.

 

If it's a real one, i like to put it in a photo frame and hang it behing the gendiato.

Finishing touch.

 

 

[Brian]

Yes, it's real (well.....it looks real, although good fakes exist)

Price is not crazy, I think it would make a nice display item.

[Shamsy]

Typically the reinforced corners are a reasonably good indication of being genuine. Very hard to tell out of hand. In all seriousness, old militaria tends to have a certain smell I've never had in repro. Other than looking a little insane, can't hurt to be sure.

[Johnny Barracuda]

In concur with Brian. It seems genuine (reinforced corners, toning, ink fading, red ink tone) but I have seen a few good fakes, including in Japan. If it is genuine, the price is good. I have a similar one but with the sunrays and my wife was rather adamant about not having it framed and hung to the wall!

[Dave R]

In concur with Brian. It seems genuine (reinforced corners, toning, ink fading, red ink tone) but I have seen a few good fakes, including in Japan. If it is genuine, the price is good. I have a similar one but with the sunrays and my wife was rather adamant about not having it framed and hung to the wall!

 One of the (very few) advantages of being divorced. I can put my stuff on the wall.

[b.hennick]

Quite a monster at the top of the rack!

[Dave R]

Quite a monster at the top of the rack!

 It's a very poor condition Tabagatana that I am treating as a project. Tired and bashed but no fatal flaws, and yes it is a long blade. 

[Johnny Barracuda]

 One of the (very few) advantages of being divorced. I can put my stuff on the wall.

 

A mixed blessing, indeed...

 

I concurr on the "Quite a monster at the top of the rack!" remark by Barry, although the expression itself reminds my of my college years and ladies, but I would not digress further by fear of being rightly castigated by our beloved moderators!    

 

What is the size of the nagasa on this impressive sword?

[Shugyosha]

Hi Dave,

 

Is that a Kindjal to the left of the targe? A lovely looking blade.

 

Best,

John