Unknown Gunto

[ChrisW]

Hey guys!

 

Been a while since I posted any new finds of mine, I have quite a few that are sitting on my back-catalogue of things to post! I will get to them all eventually...

 

 

Anyways, today's item that I am putting out there for opinions and discussion is my most recent acquisition. I picked it up from a certain auction site from a seller who was selling a memento of his father's time in the service. His father was in the USAAF (airforce) and was a crew member aboard a B25 and he picked this thing up sometime during the war. Upon return, he did not talk about his time in the service nor did he specifically mention where/when he obtained this blade. It is in fairly solid shape and besides the mekugi-pin and one of the tassels on the portopee is entirely intact. What drew me to this blade is its rather interesting hamon style which is reminiscent of older swords and the pierced tsuba (indicative of earlier war models). This blade however appears to be very much WWII due to the lack of oxidation on the nakago.

 

Its measurements are: Overall length 36 3/4". Nagasa is 27".

 

My asks are as follows:

 

What smith made this blade?

Is this a gendaito or showato? I couldn't find any seki or other stamping upon it, just the two kanji. The nagako is also SUPER bright in the seller's photos, I will try to get a true-color picture of it in daylight.

 

What style is this blade's hamon trying to imitate?

 

I picked this up for $600. I wonder how well I did?

 

Thanks guys!

 

P.S. The photos in blue are the sellers, the crappy ones are mine.
 

[Bruce Pennington]

Chris,

That really is a beautiful hamon! Smith is:

 

兼永 (Kanenaga)

 

Real name: 渡辺 万次郎 (I don't know how this translates)

 

Don't know anything about the smith, maybe one of the nihonto guys can help.

 

At that price, you got a great deal!

[ChrisW]

Thanks! I saw the hamon and knew it was for me, strapped pockets or not!

[george trotter]

The kanji Bruce gives here is for Watanabe Manjiro Kanenaga. He was head of a forging enterprise in Seki during the war and had 18 pupils.

Another Kanenaga using these kanji is Taro Kanenaga. (Kawamura Eijiro). He had a son working in Seki also who signed Nara Taro Kanenaga (Hiroshi).

The mei looks cut by a Na-kiri-shi so may be showato although the form and construction looks good,

 

What I mean is...you need to type in the name and do some research on WWII period Kanenaga smiths/styles/signatures and see which one it is and whether it is gendaito.

Hope this helps,

[ChrisW]

Been doing just that George, still sifting through information myself; but if someone beats me to it, please chime in!

 

Thanks!

[lonely panet]

Check John slough's book.

 

You might have a good surprise

[BANGBANGSAN]

Saw it on Ebay,the final price is good.

Hey guys!

 

Been a while since I posted any new finds of mine, I have quite a few that are sitting on my back-catalogue of things to post! I will get to them all eventually...

 

 

Anyways, today's item that I am putting out there for opinions and discussion is my most recent acquisition. I picked it up from a certain auction site from a seller who was selling a memento of his father's time in the service. His father was in the USAAF (airforce) and was a crew member aboard a B25 and he picked this thing up sometime during the war. Upon return, he did not talk about his time in the service nor did he specifically mention where/when he obtained this blade. It is in fairly solid shape and besides the mekugi-pin and one of the tassels on the portopee is entirely intact. What drew me to this blade is its rather interesting hamon style which is reminiscent of older swords and the pierced tsuba (indicative of earlier war models). This blade however appears to be very much WWII due to the lack of oxidation on the nakago.

 

Its measurements are: Overall length 36 3/4". Nagasa is 27".

 

My asks are as follows:

 

What smith made this blade?

Is this a gendaito or showato? I couldn't find any seki or other stamping upon it, just the two kanji. The nagako is also SUPER bright in the seller's photos, I will try to get a true-color picture of it in daylight.

 

What style is this blade's hamon trying to imitate?

 

I picked this up for $600. I wonder how well I did?

 

Thanks guys!

 

P.S. The photos in blue are the sellers, the crappy ones are mine.
 

[ChrisW]

Hamfish,

 

Where I might get a copy of John Slough's book for a reasonable price? I'm afraid I do not have one. Also, you're killing me with the 'might have a good surprise' line!

 

Many thanks!

 

 

Edit: Found them, the price isn't too bad, but I'll have to save, I blew what little extra funds I had on this blade.

 

Edit 2: Eh... finding one actually for sale is harder than I anticipated... makes sense for such a useful book.

[lonely panet]

I was going from memory when I suggested the book.

 

Got home what do you know, page 51

[lonely panet]

Pt 2

[16k]

Hamfish,

 

Where I might get a copy of John Slough's book for a reasonable price? I'm afraid I do not have one. Also, you're killing me with the 'might have a good surprise' line!

 

Many thanks!

 

 

Edit: Found them, the price isn't too bad, but I'll have to save, I blew what little extra funds I had on this blade.

 

Edit 2: Eh... finding one actually for sale is harder than I anticipated... makes sense for such a useful book.

 

yeah, I’m on the look out for that book too. It’s been almost a year and haven’t found one for sale. Correction! I found one once, but the price was outrageous!

[lonely panet]

Out of print and hard to find.

 

Prob cost well over $100 if you can find one

[ChrisW]

So you're saying Kanenaga likely made it himself? Does that mean I am dealing with a showato or a gendaito here?

[lonely panet]

Much better photos will be needed before more educated members can offer there opinions.

 

As i have not owner or studied a blade by this smith, as i simply owned a book that listed this smith that is all

[16k]

Out of print and hard to find.

 

Prob cost well over $100 if you can find one

 

yeah, I would jump on it at 100. The only one I saw was $350. At that price, it was a big no no!

[ChrisW]

Oof.. well no luck finding any copies of the book for sale sadly. Anyone enough of an expert and nearby to have a look at the actual blade that knows Kanenaga's work?

[ChrisW]

Would it be acceptable to repost in the nihonto subsection for other members to have input there Brian/mods?

[ChrisW]

Thanks Brian/mods!

 

I welcome any further input guys! Thanks!

[lonely panet]

Post better photos if you want better comments.

 

You can't see anything important for clues

[ChrisW]

Hmm. Fair point. What do you suggest I focus on the blade first?