vajo Posted October 17, 2018 Report Posted October 17, 2018 I dont belive that Luis. You got more for a Gunto in Japan. Look in yahoo auctions. There were sold Type95 in Japan for around 300.000 Yen. There are two example threads under auction. No room to smuggle illegal swords in and out from Japan. The customs controll every sword on the airport. I think he collect them at pawn shops, from private and flea markets. 2 Quote
celt72 Posted October 17, 2018 Report Posted October 17, 2018 I had a Kanenori gunto in modern koshirae that I was going to use for Iai, but I decided go with another sword instead. Showa22 bought it from me on ebay and a few months later I saw list it, but now in gunto koshirae…. 1 Quote
paul griff Posted October 17, 2018 Report Posted October 17, 2018 Luis, You may be right...I know someone who has been buying blades from Japan including Showa period blades for years,admittedly they have modern fittings or shirasaya non have been housed in gunto mounts.....Where there is money involved nothing surprises me...! Regards, Paul... Quote
BANGBANGSAN Posted October 18, 2018 Report Posted October 18, 2018 I had a Kanenori gunto in modern koshirae that I was going to use for Iai, but I decided go with another sword instead. Showa22 bought it from me on ebay and a few months later I saw list it, but now in gunto koshirae…. He must have a lots of parts in stock,because it's not that easy to find the koshirae fit the blade though. Quote
BANGBANGSAN Posted October 18, 2018 Report Posted October 18, 2018 I'm sure the yakuza have been smuggling them by the boat load! Very possible Quote
dwmc Posted October 18, 2018 Report Posted October 18, 2018 I've always been curious where the hell Showa22 gets all of his inventory! I've actually been a bit jealous of his seemingly endless supply and availability to Japanese swords of all types. Having said this, I also lived in central California for almost forty years, and attended more sword/guns shows (mainly in northern California) than I can remember. Bay area, Sacramento, Stockton, etc... I came across a guy at a gun show in Sacramento, Ca. once who had a table with an enormous pile of gunto saya's, sword parts and pieces, intact swords, you name it, he had it. Friendly, nice sort of guy, I spoke with him for maybe thirty minute's, and what I think struck me most about him is how casually he mentioned his ability to put together sword parts and pieces in order to make them marketable. Hmmmm, early Showa22 ?? Years later, long before the onslaught Chinese reproduction shin gunto tassels, I noticed on ebay, what appeared to be, and was advertised as an original WWII era company grade officers tassel. I don't recall the exact wording, it appeared nos, but was definitely advertised as WWII era. (The seller Showa22 ) Sacramento, Ca. area I ended up winning the bid, and while waiting for the tassel to arrive, I noticed that his ebay site was relisting the exact tassel I had just purchased, with identical photos and description. I immediately contacted him, he did respond, and mentioned it was a simple mistake. Eventually, the tassel arrived, it had absolutely no wear, which was fine, unissued, no problem, but I did notice the normal blue color of company officers was more purple than blue. I let the purple color go, hey, maybe just a manufacturing variation. However, I could never quite get over feeling the tassel was a modern reproduction. I eventually took the tassel to the San Francisco sword show and asked some of the vendors opinion's. Most said modern reproduction. There's nothing worse than the feeling you've been taken. As mentioned, this was way before all of the Chinese reproduction tassels. So if my tassel is a modern copy, Showa22 was ahead of the game even back then... The only consolation I have is the possibility it may be original as I notice on the Ohmura's Military Sword site, many of the photos of company grade officers tassels have the same purplish appearance. I'm definitely not condemning the guy's lively hood, but just saying... 4 Quote
Stephen Posted October 18, 2018 Report Posted October 18, 2018 Dave didnt that fellow have a table at the SF show? from the few times im met him i thought nice enough fellow, not a care taker of nihonto just a used car(sword) seller. Youll find the same class of seller in Nippon just on a advanced level that you dont recognize their tricks yet, keep with it youll get there. Theres been so many Showa 22 threads and warnings id like to see a moratorium on them. Just do a search on board. 3 Quote
dwmc Posted October 19, 2018 Report Posted October 19, 2018 Stephen, If he did have a table at the SF sword show, I didn't recognize him as the person I had met years early. Really hadn't thought about him much until reading this post, and occasionally looking at the purple colored tassel. Good analogy~Used car (sword) seller.... Quote
ChrisW Posted October 19, 2018 Report Posted October 19, 2018 This guy just gives me the wrong vibes with how many warning threads have appeared about him and his wares. I'd almost say he might be a rather clever forger. I've seen more than a few of his repeat listings with the same stock photos. I'd advise people avoid him for fear of being defrauded. I mean, if he is bringing listings down after people notice it here, he is definitely watching and there is definitely something going on with him. 1 Quote
Stegel Posted October 21, 2018 Author Report Posted October 21, 2018 If there is still doubt about his performance, let me put it to rest with an 8 month report card so to speak. After posting this thread, I went through my data base and cross checked previous data to confirm that what he is doing to this field of collecting could be seen as an absolute disaster. Parts are being swapped, ie brass for steel tsuba's and vice versa, fuchi and scabbards or throats of scabbards. Items are being sold multiple times on occasion, usually at a higher price than originally sold for. Cleaning is performed and even polishing. Chips and other blade damage is repaired. Re-stamping of scabbards is so rampant it could be viewed as an obsession of his, and a red flag is the over use of talc to highlight numbers and hide features of the scabbard throats. All of his sales are Matching serial numbers!! (quite a few in completely invalid configurations- as they could not have come from the issuing arsenal like this) I can back all my claims with evidence if required. In summary, 21 out of a total of 47 sales have the examples deliberately changed a further 13 are doubtful as there are suspicions present (re-stamping etc), 11 could be seen to appear genuine, and only 2 can be considered 100% genuine IMO. colour code for easy visualisation: BOLD RED----DISGRACEFUL RED------------BUSTED! CAUGHT RED HANDED ORANGE------SUSPICIOUS EXAMPLE GREEN--------APPEARS TO BE OK BLUE-----------GENUINE EXAMPLE date: serial # summary info: 20180205 37201 名 GIFU 東 Scabbard Swap & RESTAMP20180212 51366 東 SUYA Possible RE-STAMP20180220 120414 東 Iijima Possibly LEGIT20180226 83370 名 SEKI LOOKS LEGIT QUICK CLEAN & RESALE20180308 63273 名 GIFU ADDED THROAT SCREW & CLEAN LEGIT20180318 93714 東 SUYA 名-Scabbard Swap REPAIR and RE-STAMP20180318 148988 Iijima with Tsuba, Scabbard & FUCHI Swap and RESTAMP 20180320 90282 東 Possible LEGIT 20180323 300014 Pattern 5 Scabbard RESTAMP--> RARITY RUINED20180328 137252 Iijima Tokyo 1st Possible TSUBA SWAP but LOOKS LEGIT20180402 124360 東 ReStamped Scabbard20180407 215768 関 CLEAN & REPAIR20180409 30387 東 SUYA Possible RE-STAMP20180414 24244 東 New Scab Throat20180414 213538 関 Possible RE STAMP20180420 137559 Iijima FUCHI SWAP with Possible RE-STAMP20180423 44472 東 Iijima Possible RE-STAMP20180425 65839 名 GIFU LOOKS LEGIT20180428 81646 SEKI SOLD TWICE 2WKS APART20180507 123609 東 ReStamp Scabbard20180507 212842 FEINT STAMPS SHOWA22 20180508 55451 東 100% Scabbard RESTAMP20180513 Pattern 8 wooden handle with GREEN ITO LEGIT EXAMPLE20180516 99924 名 TSUBA SWAP Salmon Scab20180522 97564 東 CLEAN & RE SELL20180527 Pattern 8 wooden handle with RED ITO LEGIT EXAMPLE20180603 27602 東 名-Scabbard20180617 12637 東 Iijima Possible RE-STAMP20180701 78249 名 GIFU LOOKS LEGIT20180708 84662 名 SEKI LOOKS LEGIT FIRST SALE20180709 56322 東 Iijima ADDED SARUTE PARTS20180714 84662 名 SEKI LOOKS LEGIT SECOND SALE- TWICE WITHIN 1WK20180719 44955 Iijima 東 LOOKS LEGIT20180724 41823 東 名-Scabbard20180729 28820 東 LOOKS LEGIT20180803 41823 東 名-Scabbard20180804 7241 東 ReStamp SWAPPED Scabbard FIRST SALE20180809 55060 東 LOOKS LEGIT FIRST SALE20180814 19410 東 名-Scabbard SWAPPED OUT COPPER SCABBARD #520820180820 39157 東 RE STAMPED20180825 7241 東 Scabbard Swap & ReStamp SECOND SALE20180830 55060 東 LOOKS LEGIT SECOND SALE20180906 89468 東 REPAIR & SAUTE Added THEN RE-SELL20180911 77131 東 Possible RE-STAMP20180916 75398 東 LOOKS LEGIT20180918 34360 東 CANCELLED after being exposed20181014 123350 東 CANCELLED after being exposed again.Collecting in this field and building a data base has made it easy to make the above observations, but for the nihonto guys, well i can't say, but i would advise extreme caution. The validity of any database now requires a further degree of scutiny, and he has sent a lot of serious collectors, including myself here, into a severe tail spin, with his actions. Having said all this, i believe that no one should be buying anything from this person at all. If you wish to pursue the hobby, then there are many other sellers who do not cheat and deceive, just to make a sale chasing a quick dollar. 11 Quote
ChrisW Posted October 21, 2018 Report Posted October 21, 2018 An absolute summation of his selling practices. I hope any members here take this seriously and avoid this seller. Quote
PNSSHOGUN Posted October 21, 2018 Report Posted October 21, 2018 The polishing that is done on his auctions are fairly ruinous to Nihonto blades, especially the "real" Yasukuni-To and other rare Gendaito/family blades. ANother to note, majority of Habakis on these high end sword are low end brass ones of Chinese origin. 1 Quote
Jean Posted October 21, 2018 Report Posted October 21, 2018 Steve, I would have said: Hear, Hear 1 Quote
Bruno Posted October 21, 2018 Report Posted October 21, 2018 I asked him once, it was years ago, about his polishes. I get no answer but been blocked since. 3 Quote
DRDave Posted October 21, 2018 Report Posted October 21, 2018 I asked him once, it was years ago, about his polishes. I get no answer but been blocked since. In this listing there is a mon (etched?) under the nagashi. Anyone know a polisher doing that? Quote
reeder Posted October 22, 2018 Report Posted October 22, 2018 In this listing there is a mon (etched?) under the nagashi. Anyone know a polisher doing that? That was a very nice polish on the Yasunori. Quote
PNSSHOGUN Posted October 22, 2018 Report Posted October 22, 2018 Yes, one of the rare ones professionally polished. Quote
PNSSHOGUN Posted October 30, 2018 Report Posted October 30, 2018 An example of how his "polish" looks for the buyer, both are Gendaito made by the same smith about 2 years apart, the sword in Type 98 mounts is showa22's handiwork. The polish is dull & lifeless in person. 2 Quote
vajo Posted October 30, 2018 Report Posted October 30, 2018 Thank you John for showing. Overall the blade looks not so bad, because we don't know the condition as he gets it. And the other side is the price you have paid. Maybe a touch up polish is possible? Quote
Bruce Pennington Posted October 30, 2018 Report Posted October 30, 2018 An example of how his "polish" looks for the buyer, both are Gendaito made by the same smith about 2 years apart, the sword in Type 98 mounts is showa22's handiwork. The polish is dull & lifeless in person. Great example. Hey am I seeing black same’ on that army Guntō? Quote
vajo Posted October 30, 2018 Report Posted October 30, 2018 Hey am I seeing black same’ on that army Guntō? Looks like old blood or color to me. John what smith is it? Quote
PNSSHOGUN Posted October 30, 2018 Report Posted October 30, 2018 The same is a brownish black. The polish looks ok in photos, in hand it's a different matter. I did not pay much money despite it being a star stamped gendaito. The smith is Muto Yukihiro . Quote
vajo Posted October 31, 2018 Report Posted October 31, 2018 Showa22 sold today a very descent mint looking Nagamitsu for a good price. Anyone here in the board jumped in? Quote
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.