newly found Minatogawa Jinja katana

[IJASWORDS]

Tom, as stated before, I believe your sword is true to its Mei, and made for Mr Haruto, from Yasuki Steel at the Minatogawa Jinja. That still makes it an interesting blade. 

The issue is, was it originally in Shin Gunto mounts. As Mr Haruto didn't serve in the Army. 

[Brian]

Maybe he gave it to a son who was going off to war?
Lots of possibilities I guess.

[baldi1942]

 Having read thru Tom Kishida's  THE YASUKUNI SWORDS I find that Kudo Haruto was kinda in the good graces of the Japanese Military /Industrial complex and probably had a few cups of sake with the upper echelon of the Imperial Japanese Army/Navy.  And my money is yes, this Minatogawa sword was made with steel from Yasuki but it was "tamahagane" which is the same steel produced by Yasuki Corp for the Yasukuni tatara.  I find it hard to believe supplying the Yasukuni tatara with tamahagane for years and then using common mill steel for a presentation sword forged at the Minatogawa tatara..  Anyway, Haruto was according to Kishida's book knowledgeable of swords and of course steel and beat out his only competitor Tabesan to get the contract for the Yasukuni tatara.   And I believe we can assume Haruto also supplied the Minatogawa tatara with the same "tamahagane" and this sword was forged from same.    5G bet is still on.  May have it sold with absolute GUARANTEE IT IS REAL!

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Tom Darling]

The yasuri-me, I believe is the give away,  made by  mill steel , as the yasuri appears to be (evident )  on very hard steel, not deep and sharp, factory made.  But, still  is a nice sword. IMHO.

 

I'd like a clear pic of the  ji and ha.   Thank you.

 

Tom D. 

 

 

 

[baldi1942]

Well, sorry fellas , but sold the sword and it will go to Japan and be polished and papered or not - will be a while but will definitely let u know  the outcome of the  shinsa.  In the mean time I'm gonna go for a PHD in metallurgy so I can understand the difference between tamahagane and common ol mill steel and how the yasurime is so easy to clue one on the difference.  I can't get a good photo of the hada or hamon but did compare this sword to the other Minatogawa I had and also a Yasukuni-to and the hada looks the same on all 3- very tight very fine itame IMO not muji but the hada on all 3 blades just is so tight and this presentation Minatogawa-to hamon resembled the Yasukuni-to hamon more than the Masatada Minatogawa-to.  Anyway,  stay tuned and maybe next year we will know the results of Ol Haruto's presentation Minatogawa Jinja katana. 

[IJASWORDS]

Tom, I like your sense of humour! Do you know if customs officers still destroy non-traditionally made swords (classed as weapons) when they enter Japan? 

I am sure yours will be ok. 

[baldi1942]

7 hours ago, IJASWORDS said:

Tom, I like your sense of humour! Do you know if customs officers still destroy non-traditionally made swords (classed as weapons) when they enter Japan? 

I am sure yours will be ok. 

I have heard of that but I know of no one who has experienced a sword being destroyed.  Knowing the Japanese, I would think it would be returned but ?  Not sure who checks the incoming swords but they cannot know much about quality or value as many good swords are sent for polish and/or shinsa and for customs purposes have a very low value.  Back about 25 yrs ago Tanobesan told me I could bring in 3 swords and if customs gave me any problem I could call the NBTHK and resolve it.  On checking thru customs I told them I had 3 katana in the tube and immediately was escorted to the Airport police office - I made the phone call to the NBTHK but NO answer !!  Police told me because I was staying in a Hotel I could not physically have the swords in my possession.  Next day got old Sugiyama(not sure if that was his name but Benson became his predecessor). Paid for Sugiyama to ride out to Narita + gave him a bottle of good whiskey - Sugiyama showed the Police his name card - they gave him the swords and the minute we left the building Sugiyama gave me the swords and I took them to my hotel room and next day went to confer with Tanobesan.   Never tried taking swords into Japan since then.  Have sent swords to Fukuoka and the customs there is less stringent than in Tokyo as seems the polisher can pick up the swords rather quickly.  It's their game and we have no choice - so like I said - stay tuned and we'll some day know the outcome of this presentation Minatogawa. 

[Swords]

Hi I have been reading this thread about this 

WW2 Japanese SWORD KATANA this ones SIGNED MASATADA 1943 DATE MINATOGAWA not the early 1941 I  wanted help the blade it has no nicks some dark spots but seems not too bad orverall! any help ?! Is it a worthy sword thinking of buying it

had to shrink pictures to get them so hopefully it’s enough 

 

steve

[Volker62]

Hi Tom

 

 

I don't know of any earlier date of a "kikusui blade".

 

once had one of his own, that was dated August 1941, that a "GOOD Collector Friend took from me, and then sold it to a lawyer in china for more than  double the price , against his promise.

 

Nice find Tom!

 

 

Volker

[Bruce Pennington]

10 hours ago, Swords said:

MASATADA 1943 DATE

Looks like a nice Kaigunto, Steve.  Can you give a clear pic of the date?  Looks like Showa 10 7, if I'm seeing it right, which is 1942.  Minor point. 

[PNSSHOGUN]

With no Kikusui on Habaki or Nakago it's difficult to classify this one. If you are buying a Minatogawa Shrine sword you don't want any asterisks next to it. This has also been listed for some time, usually Minatogawa Shrine swords sell very quickly as demand is always high. 

[Swords]

Hi I’m trying to get more pictures including the Habaki what’s the Nakago and-asterisks 🤔 I should know that!

hopefully will get more perspective I do have some doubts 

It has dark spots no nicks from what I was told 

I can always return if there’s issues what makes you think it’s not a Minatogawa Shrine sword 

thanks for your help 

 

steve

 

 

[IJASWORDS]

Steve, without seeing these on a MINATOGAWA, at your stage of collecting I wouldn't take the risk, unless it has been papered. 

[Swords]

Hi I agree I’m going to pass I also noticed a couple of chips after I asked if there were nicks 

he said there wasn’t any! Never got more pictures I asked for  

I think  I will buy from someone on the forum 

Too many bad swords on EBAY You can list a piece of junk and some one will buy it!

I have seen a couple that I really liked on the forum 

but a little pricey So I will keep looking for a good one There  was one that was a special order that I really liked but a little pricey for my pocket Now that I can get good feed back  from others on the forum I won’t make a huge mistake  Thanks for your help

 

steve