Kai Gunto Sword - Well I Think

[Woodzy9370]

I'm am trying to do some research on this sword my father received while in Japan during WW2. He has keep it all these years and it is in great shape - not a nicks anywhere and probably have only been out of its Saya only a few times.

 

According to a friend the date on the tang is March 1944 but the other side is a name - just wanted to do some research. It is about 37 inches long.

 

Any help would be appreciated.

[ROKUJURO]

Woodzy9370,

the tang is signed ECHIGO (province) KUNIMITSU (name of the smith), I think. 1944 is correct.

This might be a KAI GUNTO, depending on the mounting. 

[Stephen]

Wonderfully cut mei i suspect top notch work.

 

 

quite a long list of Kunimitsu

 

i never found exact match.... a few

 

KUNIMITSU (国光), Shōwa (昭和, 1926-1989), Gifu – “Kunimitsu” (国光), real name Hatano Ginjirō (波多野銀次郎), born May 4th 1890, he worked as guntō smith and died January 23rd 1967

KUNIMITSU (国光), Shōwa (昭和, 1926-1989), Akita – “Kunimitsu” (国光), family name Kijima (木島), jōkō no retsu (Akihide), Fifth Seat at the 6th Shinsaku Nihontō Denrankai (新作日本刀展覧会, 1941) (see picture right)

KUNIMITSU (国光), Shōwa (昭和, 1926-1989), Hyōgo – “Kunimitsu” (国光), family name Mizuta (水田), rikugun-jumei-tōshō

KUNIMITSU (国光), Shōwa (昭和, 1926-1989), Shimane – “Kunimitsu” (国光), family name Ishihara (石原), rikugun-jumei-tōshō, ryōkō no jōi (Akihide)

KUNIMITSU (国光), Shōwa (昭和, 1926-1989), Saga → TSUNEHARU (常治), Shōwa (昭和, 1926-1989), Saga

KUNIMITSU (国光), Heisei (平成, 1989- ), Okayama – “Kunimitsu” (国光), real name Takeshita Satoru (竹下悟)

[vajo]

MUTO SCHOOL Komiyama Kunimitsu (1894-1988) 

Begun 1942 forging under the name Kunimitsu.

 

Could you show us the blade in shape. I think it is a well forged gendaito.

 

[Woodzy9370]

boy that was quick..   Here is a pic of the entire sword.

 

 

[vajo]

Nice Kai Gunto. Keep it in that good condition and oil it well.

One thing, the nakago binding is unusual for a kai gunto and the sarute knot is not original 

[geekman]

I think it's Echigo no Kuni Mitsuoki... Endo Mitsuoki...

 

 

Brian

[Stephen]

Brilliant!! why i couldn't find him!!!  well done Brian

 

 

 

MITSUOKI (光起), Shōwa (昭和, 1926-1989), Niigata – “Echigo no Kuni Nuttari-jūnin Endō Mitsuoki” (越後国沼垂住人遠藤光起), “Echigo no Kuni Endō Mitsuoku” (越後国遠藤光起), real name Endō Jinsaku (遠藤仁作), born October 1st 1904, he was basically a self-taught smith but studied from 1935 in Tōkyō at the Nihontō Tanren Denshūjo (日本刀鍛錬伝習所) under Kurihara Hikosaburō Akihide (栗原彦三郎昭秀), he won several prices and made 1939 some blades for the 700th anniversary of the death of Emperor Gotoba (後鳥羽), he lived in Nishiumakoshi (西馬越) in Niigata Prefecture, in 1981 he became mukansa and died in 1997, kihin-jōi (Akihide), Special Honor Seat at the 6th Shinsaku Nihontō Denrankai (新作日本刀展覧会, 1941)

[Woodzy9370]

Well that was fast. I never guessed I would know thin in one day. My guess is if I google this Swordsmith I will learn about him. How do you know if this is a good Swordsmith or average. I assume I can oil it with gun oil? Then the last question is that some day, I will need to buy out the other siblings since I really want to keep this sword. Any way to ballpark the value of it so I know what is fair. Need to pay 3 of them off.

[Mark]

have not seen the sword but probably worth $2500 or so..........  give them each $600 and that should be fair

[vajo]

Mark, $600 for that sword?

[PNSSHOGUN]

Give them a case of beer each and handshake

[Stephen]

Times three Chris, three brothers n sisters, paying them off.

[vajo]

Oh, thanks Stephen. As a family piece with history, i would talk to them holding it.

[Woodzy9370]

No plan on selling it just looking for a fair price to buy the other brothers and sister out. Thanks all for the help.