Interesting eBay listing 'KIYOMITSU'

[m4l700]

Yes, I know it is almost forbidden to checkout items on ebay. But sometimes it is really interesting to see what you can find there, even just for the sake of checking it out.

 

I found this gunto with these interesting and maybe high-end moutings and blade(gimei?)? Atleast, I dont see a sharkskin saya everyday on a type98, and the sarute looks interesting? Besides what is that writing on the kabuto gane and the end?

 

https://www.ebay.com/itm/116-WWII-Japanese-GUNTO-Army-Shark-skin-sharpening-Saya-and-KIYOMITSU-Katana/283773581677?hash=item421239396d:g:TqAAAOSwTRZeO5QH

 

It looks to me like a really rare and high-end one. Have I been fooled? 

[Bruce Pennington]

some pics. I'd also like to know what is written on the kabutogane.

[Stephen]

As pretty as the fittings are id tire of kizus in first 20 mins

[BANGBANGSAN]

Tang- 備州長船清光 Bishu Osafune  Kiyomitsu

kabuto Gane -飯 & 島 ,Could be Name for 飯島 (IIJIMA )or fitting from  飯島刀劍製作所( Iijima Token Seisakusho)

 

 

[m4l700]

Thank you Trystan! So probably the place/company where the fittings where custom made for this blade? The rayskin(sharkskin?) saya must have cost a bit extra I assume, along with the fittings.

 

It is indeed a shame about the flaws in the blade, but it is what it is. I think it might be an interesting package.

[lonely panet]

Being a past sue bizen collector, i can say the main point of this piece is t h e mounts.

 

The mei is very off puting to the quality of the blade. The mei is just to fancy for what appears to be sue bizen bundle sword.

 

If i was a buyer i would be reading 2 things.

BIZEN OSAFUNE KIYOMITSU HA, OUTLINE OF GROUP AND EXAMPLES, by motohide shimano and malcolm E cox

 

And

SUE KOTO Japanese SWORDS OF THE 15 AND 16TH CENTURIES

 

Just my opinion, but i could be just talking out my ass

[Bruce Pennington]

David,

I put this on the Translation Assistance forum. Raymond Singer says the kanji are:

 

"I believe it is 飯島 - Iijima"

 

Makes sense, as they made lots of Type 95s and their koshirae.

[BANGBANGSAN]

Bruce

I replied earlier -kabuto Gane -飯 & 島 ,Could be Name for 飯島 (IIJIMA )or fitting from  飯島刀劍製作所( Iijima Token Seisakusho)   

 

David,
I put this on the Translation Assistance forum. Raymond Singer says the kanji are:

"I believe it is 飯島 - Iijima"

Makes sense, as they made lots of Type 95s and their koshirae.

[Dave R]

Face the fact, miltaria and nihonto are different worlds, when they coincide they are sublime... otherwise,....

[Death-Ace]

Neat little Sue-Bizen as the others have stated; however, as a kazuuchimono, just not too valuable. Might have been worth it as the mounts are excellent and the blade, a reminder of the times prior to the Edo Period. Just as stated, a lot of kizu for a "common" sword, and not sure if it is actually tired. Price is just too expensive to me.

 

I'd say take it for what it is, if someone loves gunto koshirae, this is a way to go and if they love nihonto as well, a win the seller dropped it by hald.. But otherwise, better to save money. Plenty of gendaito or other nihonto in good gunto koshirae around at this price. It is always an interesting thing though to have a blade that was made during that bloody time of Japanese history to end service in its last.

[PNSSHOGUN]

Those Koshirae are very rare and that one is particularly nice but is it all original/matching? The Sarute looks brand new & the Tsuba is numbered but one of the Seppa is clearly non original and none of them are numbered either.

[lonely panet]

gimei and mis matched fittings.

 

Along with fake matetsu-to.

 

Thus the interests of I'm swords are so hight