Showato Now Being Registered And Sold In Japan?!

Bruce Pennington · November 1, 2018

I have recently seen 2 different Mantetsu gunto being sold on Japanese websites. Both were (forgive me if I'm using the wrong term) officially registered and had papers. I've seen Type 95s being sold as well.

Does anyone know if something new has changed regarding showato in Japan?

Here's a link to one. I can't remember where I saw the other.

http://www.Japanese-sword-katana.jp/katana/1710-1042.htm

vajo · November 1, 2018

Bruce that is what i see sometimes too.

We discussed this in another thread and the conclusion was there is no change in law, but the seller didn't care.

The Mantetsu looks incredible nice in my eyes.

Jean · November 2, 2018

Mantetsu can be VERY nice...

PNSSHOGUN · November 3, 2018

If you hit ctrl+F on this page there's quite a few Mantetsu blades sold from this seller, a couple remounted for Iai.

http://www.Japanese-sword-katana.jp/?tag=sold&cat%5B%5D=&age=gendaitou&certificate=&price=&s=

DRDave · November 3, 2018

Has anyone seen a blade with arsenal stamps (seki, showa, star, etc.) that has registration (torokusho)?

Bruce Pennington · November 3, 2018

On 11/3/2018 at 2:09 AM, PNSSHOGUN said:

If you hit ctrl+F on this page there's quite a few Mantetsu blades sold from this seller, a couple remounted for Iai.

=&age=gendaitou&certificate=&price=&s=]http://www.Japanese-sword-katana.jp/?tag=sold&cat[]=&age=gendaitou&certificate=&price=&s=

Thanks John! That put me at 73 Mantetsu blades on the list! (I found 3, and DRDave found 1 more, so if there are more than 4 let me know).

Brian · November 4, 2018

On 11/3/2018 at 1:32 PM, DRDave said:
Has anyone seen a blade with arsenal stamps (seki, showa, star, etc.) that has registration (torokusho)?

Yes.

But no law change. Just a mistake or more likely a favor. If there are rules, there will be rules broken.

Daniel · November 5, 2018

On 11/3/2018 at 1:32 PM, DRDave said:
Has anyone seen a blade with arsenal stamps (seki, showa, star, etc.) that has registration (torokusho)?

Yes I had one some years ago but as Brian said...

vajo · November 5, 2018

Mantetsu with Stamp

http://www.Japanese-sword-katana.jp/katana/1710-1023.htm

Stephen · November 5, 2018

http://www.nipponto.co.jp/swords4/KY330098.htm

Bruce Pennington · November 17, 2018

Another update from Nick Komiya:

Bruce Pennington:

“Thanks Nick! So my take, if I understand correctly, is it is happening and just depends upon the judging team and municipality.

11-17-2018, 04:03 AM #12

nick komiya:

Yes, happens all the time and the difference between municipalities is in the degree of prejudice towards Guntos among Nihontoh purists.

There are 5 judging criteria and the first 4 are hardcore nihonto features, but the 5th serves as a loophole clause, as it serves to leave a margin of error by saying "None of the above, but with exterior attributes equally worthy of preservation as a work of craftsmanship". Whether a Showato survives is a question of whether the judge applies this clause.”