Jump to content

Dad's Mantetsu Koa Issin

Bruce Pennington
 Share

Recommended Posts

Shawn7 Rookie

Shawn7

Posted
Posted

Bruce, I think you saw this sword back in March, and posted some of the pics here for reference.  I'm fairly certain I purchased it right after you saw it.  Let me know what you think, and if you need any more pics, info, etc.  Thanks!

Bruce Pennington Grand Master

Bruce Pennington

Posted
  • Author
Posted
  On 12/14/2023 at 2:36 AM, Shawn7 said:

Bruce, I think you saw this sword back in March, and posted some of the pics here for reference.  I'm fairly certain I purchased it right after you saw it.  Let me know what you think, and if you need any more pics, info, etc.  Thanks!

Expand  

First, and "Oops" - When I said to post them here, my head has us on the Mantetsu Survey thread!  But this is fine.  

 

Yes, that's that Shigefusa blade!  If I recall, there is no serial number, right?  Even so, if you could post a photo of the nakago mune, showing no number. I'd like it for the file as I don't have one.

 

How do you like it?  How does if feel in-hand?

Shawn7 Rookie

Shawn7

Posted
Posted

I'll try to get some more pics this weekend.  I believe you are correct that there is no serial number whatsoever.  As to the feel, I rather lucked into this one in that it was already at my perfect length.  I had another koshirae made for it that makes it perfect, and I have it in that, displayed next to the original koshirae.  I'll get some pics of that as well. I did have it polished, and the hamon is exceptionally wide, as can be seen in my earlier picture of the blade.

  • Thanks 1
BANGBANGSAN Veteran

BANGBANGSAN

Posted
Posted
  On 12/14/2023 at 2:36 AM, Shawn7 said:

Bruce, I think you saw this sword back in March, and posted some of the pics here for reference.  I'm fairly certain I purchased it right after you saw it.  Let me know what you think, and if you need any more pics, info, etc.  Thanks!

Expand  

It was sold by Showa22, right? If I remember correctly.

  • Like 1
Shawn7 Rookie

Shawn7

Posted
Posted
  On 12/16/2023 at 4:52 PM, Bruno said:

Woody Hall would do a fine polish on it.

Expand  

Thanks!  This one is already done, but I have others that could use it.  Mantetsu are the only exception my togishi makes for non-traditionally made swords.  I have a Kai gunto and another Shin gunto that could use some help.  How can I get in touch with Woody?

Bruno Mentor

Bruno

Posted
Posted
  On 12/16/2023 at 11:40 PM, Shawn7 said:

Mantetsu are the only exception my togishi makes for non-traditionally made swords.

Expand  

Shawn,

 

Woody told me more or less the same regarding my Mantetsuto, it was 2 years ago. He won't polish standard showa-to but may do exception for well finished  ones.

 

I reach him on Messenger but can ask him more details to contact him if you need.

 

Capture d’écran 2023-12-17 à 11.11.38.png

Shawn7 Rookie

Shawn7

Posted
Posted
  On 12/14/2023 at 1:09 PM, Bruce Pennington said:

First, and "Oops" - When I said to post them here, my head has us on the Mantetsu Survey thread!  But this is fine.  

 

Yes, that's that Shigefusa blade!  If I recall, there is no serial number, right?  Even so, if you could post a photo of the nakago mune, showing no number. I'd like it for the file as I don't have one.

 

How do you like it?  How does if feel in-hand?

Expand  

Here is the pic, Bruce: image.png.6738d54249ec2f051cba2d8c5c3a856a.png

  • Like 1
  • Thanks 1
Shawn7 Rookie

Shawn7

Posted
Posted
  On 12/18/2023 at 4:32 PM, Bruce Pennington said:

Thanks Shawn, beautiful fittings too!

Expand  

Thank you!  My sensei has a Mantetsu as well, which I hope to be photographing and documenting when he returns from his trip.  I'll add it to your survey when I can.  If you ever need any more pics or info, please let me know.

  • Thanks 1
  • 3 weeks later...
Conway S Community Regular

Conway S

Posted
Posted

It says best offer:)… And yes this is one of the more rare early ones (this one is dated 1939). The stamp is for those produced at the Dairen Railroad Factory which predates the Koa-Issin inscriptions.
 

The seller still comes up as smallsword when you click on the individual listings. 
 

Conway

  • Like 1
Shawn7 Rookie

Shawn7

Posted
Posted
  On 1/3/2024 at 1:50 PM, Bruce Pennington said:

Thanks Stephen!  I have that one on file from seller 'Smallsword' back in Oct '23.  Can't recall if 'jewelry&coin' is Smallsword, but I think he changed his ebay name.

Expand  

Bruce, unless I'm seeing things, that's a Tachi mei!  Weren't those only produced for important people in the company?  I've only heard of two of them so far, and that price is actually in line with those others.

Shawn7 Rookie

Shawn7

Posted
Posted
  On 1/4/2024 at 5:58 PM, Bruce Pennington said:

Shawn,

I checked a sample in each of the years and they are all on the same side as this.  

Expand  

Interesting!  Granted, mine is not standard, but it is opposite, as is the other ebay entry adjoining this one, and the one pictured in Modern Japanese Swords.  Those all have the mei on the omote, and the date on the ura, and do not have the railway stamp.  This one is the reverse.  Did all the others you checked have the railway stamp as well?  Do you have any in the survey that have the mei on the ura that don't have the stamp?

Bruce Pennington Grand Master

Bruce Pennington

Posted
  • Author
Posted

I’m sorry Shawn, I am a bit overwhelmed at home, taking care of two households, and may have rushed my search and maybe didn’t understand fully the point you were making. Also, I always have to relearn the language when guys are talking about which side the sword is named on.

 

 It will be a while before I can look into this again, maybe Thomas, or Trystan can enter this for you. 
 

@Kiipu @BANGBANGSAN

  • Thanks 1
Kiipu Grand Master

Kiipu

Posted
Posted

The alphanumeric Mantetsu, that is those with an A to V serial number prefix, have the markings in the following positions.  There have been no exceptions so far.

Obverse (Ura-mei 裏銘): Year & Season.

Reverse (Omote-mei 表銘): SMR logo.

 

Starting with the W-series, the Kōa Isshin 興亜一心 slogan takes the place of the SMR logo.

  • Like 1
  • Thanks 2
Shawn7 Rookie

Shawn7

Posted
Posted
  On 1/5/2024 at 2:11 AM, Bruce Pennington said:

I’m sorry Shawn, I am a bit overwhelmed at home, taking care of two households, and may have rushed my search and maybe didn’t understand fully the point you were making. Also, I always have to relearn the language when guys are talking about which side the sword is named on.

 

 It will be a while before I can look into this again, maybe Thomas, or Trystan can enter this for you. 
 

@Kiipu @BANGBANGSAN

Expand  

Bruce, you never have to say you're sorry to me.  I deeply appreciate the knowledge you provide, and I know all too well how life sneaks up on us some times. Hope your situation improves.  Smooth sailing on calm seas.

  • Love 1

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

×
 Share
Go to topic listing
×
×
  • Create New...