Show Us Your High Class Gunto

[oli]

Maxein, Otto. Samuraischwerter für die Materialschlacht. in this book it is written that Yoshichika made some Tachi for coronation celebration of Tenno Hirohito. 

[PNSSHOGUN]

Hi Oli, this is a different sword from the Coronation Tachi. Those were all dated 1928 and had a particularly elegant Tachi Sugata and Bo-Hi, also they had two types of traditional Efu Tachi mount. Michael's sword is something very unique as it has normal Type 94 fittings that have been silver plated but special Ashi that are half regular army Ashi with modified Tachi style tops. So perhaps this was a special presentation Tachi made during the mid to late 30's for a specific occasion.

 

Here is a Coronation Tachi, and the two types of Koshirae for reference:

 

[David Flynn]

Michael, I don't believe that is  actually a Tachi.  It's a type 94 with silvered fittings but someone has added the Saya ito to make look like a Tachi.  The biggest giveaway is, The pierced Tsuba.  If it was a Tachi, it would have a Tachi Tsuba.

[Itomagoi]

Hello, because it just fits to this topic. A very rare tanto of Yoshichika in Shirasaya.

[Michael 67]

Hi friends 

 

I would like to show my Moriwaka Masataka to the members.  Nagasa is 70.2 cm.  It has a 2 colored wood saya.
 

 

[Michael 67]

At the moment I have a lot of time because of Corona.  Since I have no symptoms and I am fine.  I would like to introduce to the members today more swords from my modest collection, left side Miyaguchi Yasuhiro (68,cm)  in 94 Shin Gunto with pinned kabutogane.  Next to it Kajiyama Yasunori in 94 Shin Gunto pinned kabutogane, Kotani Yasunori (69.9cm) in 98 Shin Gunto, Abe Yasushige in 98 Shin Gunto with aluminum saya.  Sorry for the bad pictures.

[Michael 67]

More

 

 

[Michael 67]

More

 

 

[PNSSHOGUN]

Very nice collection Michael, it is interesting to note the pins have come out on one sword. The early swords came with different pinned Kabutogane styles I believe, one with holes drilled and no pins, ones with pins with no head, and pins with head to retain them. Can you let me know the dates on the pinned swords? 

[Michael 67]

Jo John,

 

Yasuhiro is Showa 9, June

 

Yasunori is Showa 9 March

 

 

  

[Brian]

So THAT'S why none of us can find Yasukuni swords
Awesome collection. I think most of us dream of owning a Yasukuni-to oneday.

[vajo]

Great collection Michael 

[IJASWORDS]

While we are in a YASUKUNI mood, a couple of mine. An early 1938 (Kajiyama) YASUTOKU in leather combat cover, and a 1942 (Kotani) YASUNORI in an aluminium saya. Both in Suya fittings, with pierced tsuba.    

[Volker62]

Then I want to participate too with this...

 

 

 

 

 

 

Very rare NBTHK papered

 

 

 

Kayijama Yasutoshi 69,9 cm Nagasa long in Mint condition, deep sori

 

flawless original polish with utsuri

 

with Hozon Silver foil Habaki and Silver Mon on the Kabuto Gane

 

 

Koshirae is '98 pattern with unsual Haikan , not suya made I suspect  because of the blades lenght...

 

 

It must be a order made one of this lenght

[Volker62]

will try to show more special Yasukuni to in the near future

[Volker62]

Yasutoshi's Haikan

[george trotter]

Hi Volker,

Interesting. I have a sword with the same haikan (sword by unknown WWII smith Shigekuni).

Just for Bruce, are there ay stamps or marks on the tsuba/seppa that might identify the mounting shop? Would be nice to know who made this haikan/fittings.

Mine only has the number 199 stamped on metal parts....how about yours?

Regards,

PS. mine also has  8 seppa and silver habaki and silver mon (torn off).

[PNSSHOGUN]

What is the date on your nice Yasutoshi? That hanger type can be found on Type 94 and early Type 98. 

[Volker62]

Hello Friends

 

I own two swords with this Haikan, other is a long 68,9 cm sword made by my long time friend Kotani Kenzo san, 

 

Yasunori.

 

 

Sorry no marks, or stamps  on the Haikan, I  know that Bruce is looking for it, so he gets information from me about it

 

all fittings are matching numbered 5

 

 

 

 

what can happen, if you'r not  careful when handling the Japanese sword...!

 

Always be careful Gentleman

 

 

John as you can see the sword is dated march, showa 15.year...

 

 

thank you!

 

 

[Volker62]

sorry forget to mention

 

 the blade from Kotani Yasunori is dated  showa 13. year. 12. month

[Volker62]

two photo's of Kotani san.

 

Yasunori

 

one in traditional clothing  at Yasukuni

 

 

other shortly before his death, in the home for aged..........

 

 

please enjoy, he was a nice man !

[Volker62]

found this on Yasutoshi's handle.

 

perhps a note of the Koshirae maker?

[george trotter]

Thanks for those dates gentlemen 1940 and Dec 1938...helps me date  my undated Shigekuni to say 1940-ish.

Volker san, yes, that writing might be the mounter shop...pity it is unclear...my Shigekuni is numbered in ink (in kanji) 199 and has the shop guy? name written as Oshima (I think I have already told Bruce).

Thanks again..

[Volker62]

Thank you George.

[Brian]

Volker, so you knew Kotani san?
That must have been very special. Did he share many stories?

[Volker62]

Brian hello

 

yes I was in contact with him and his granddaughter Mayuko  for serval years.

 

He was  very pleasured, that one of his swords come to germany.

 

with his Granddaughter, who was able to speak and wrote english,he was happy to write to me and gave me some very

 

nice presents, which I appericate so much.

 

 

Finally he wanted my letters in his coffin, a great honor for me...

[PNSSHOGUN]

Thanks Volker, very special swords and memories. Writing on the Tsuka can often relate to the style of Mon.

[PNSSHOGUN]

Type 94:

 

 

 

 

[Volker62]

Thank you John

 

 

Wow impressive collection!!!!

 

Do you also own a Yasutoshi??

 

 

I've seen very very few of them...

[george trotter]

5 hours ago, PNSSHOGUN said:

Thanks Volker, very special swords and memories. Writing on the Tsuka can often relate to the style of Mon.

Might have mentioned this before John?....but in the case of this name OSHIMA being written on the tsuka, the missing mon was unlikely to have been an Oshima mon as the information on the sword says the owner was 2nd Lt KUME (unless he was a linked branch family to Oshima?).

Regards,