Show us your nice Gendai blades

[Bruce Pennington]

On 2/2/2021 at 7:42 PM, IJASWORDS said:

Thought I would post a three character (Ichihara) NAGAMITSU Saku, who regularly made swords for the Osaka Army Arsenal. His swords were rated very highly for their cutting ability. This has no date, but a very small mune stamp. 

He signed his swords in 2 characters, and upto 10 characters. Debate has raged about which signature represent the best quality swords, and those that are "knockouts" for the war. This sword has an Itame haha, and a nice hamon with ko-gunome with ashi. It is in as found war time polish, and the detail doesn't photograph well.

And Bruce, the fittings have heart shaped stamps, what can you tell me about this? 

Nagamitsu (and Emura) swords are becoming quite popular with collectors, and are now being papered.  

Neil,

Sorry for detracting from this thread with my questions, but I assume this Nagamitsu blade has no date since you didn't post a photo?

 

Also, and @PNSSHOGUN and any Type3/Rinji collectors - do I recall a discussion that the high-quality Rinji Seishiki fittings like this are seen in the last couple years of the war?  Would the high-quality fittings and the canvas same' push an estimated date for this blade into the '44-45 timeframe?  But even as I type this, I realize the blade could have been made before 1942 and re-mounted in '44-45 fittings.  But, then again, I may be wrong about the high-quality RS fittings being only late in the war.

 

I'm trying to find blades made by RJT qualified smiths that aren't star-stamped to see if any are dated after 1942.  The total lack of stamps is evidence the blade was traditionally made.  But if the blade was made after 1942, by an RJT smith, and it's not stamped, then a case is being made that the Star stamp was used by RJT inspectors on RJT smith's blades that weren't traditionally made.  So far, I have only found non-star blades by RJT smiths on undated blades.  Which likely means they were made BEFORE 1942 and the RJT system.  A dated blade after 1942, and no star, would be evidence for the counter idea about the star.  But I haven't found any, and yours, if undated, continues to verify the current claims about star-stamped RJT blades being nihonto.

[PNSSHOGUN]

Hi Bruce, I don't own any Type 3 swords, must be thinking of someone else. 

[IJASWORDS]

Occasionally a nice, but mystery Gunto comes along, and no end of searching throws up any information about the swordsmith. And the best advice that can be given, is that he is an "undocumented" swordsmith, not that uncommon, but annoying when you are doing research. 

So here is an example, combined with a cry for help for any information. 

This is a 1943 YASUMASA, in what looks like its made in the MINO tradition. The photos don't do justice to the hada, homon and hataraki. It is well made in every sense, but I can't find any info about the maker. 

So any help would be appreciated. 

[robinalexander]

Wow Neil....that is so nice....I was looking at the blade and completely forgot what the question was :-))

Rob

[IJASWORDS]

Here is a (Kajiwara) HIROMITSU. It is dated December 1943. It looks like it started its life as a special order Civilian mounted sword, and later, taken to war in a leather combat saya. It has no stamps.

The fittings are a complete set of rare Showa Period pine tree motif in brass, and a blue/green ito wrap often seen on WW2 swords. The blade is in full polish. This famous smith was from Fukuoka, was responsible for some nice traditionally made swords.   

 

[george trotter]

On 3/21/2021 at 10:07 PM, Bruce Pennington said:

 

I'm trying to find blades made by RJT qualified smiths that aren't star-stamped to see if any are dated after 1942.  The total lack of stamps is evidence the blade was traditionally made.  But if the blade was made after 1942, by an RJT smith, and it's not stamped, then a case is being made that the Star stamp was used by RJT inspectors on RJT smith's blades that weren't traditionally made.  So far, I have only found non-star blades by RJT smiths on undated blades.  Which likely means they were made BEFORE 1942 and the RJT system.  A dated blade after 1942, and no star, would be evidence for the counter idea about the star.  But I haven't found any, and yours, if undated, continues to verify the current claims about star-stamped RJT blades being nihonto.

Bruce,

I must have missed this conversation, but maybe I can add to it now....not sure if this will help.

Here are two post - 1942 blades by the Tsukamoto brothers  Both RJT.

1. is Okimasa, worked in Tokyo. 1943 made,. No star but definitely nihonto (papered).

2. is Masakazu, worked in Fukushima. I think this once belonged to Chris Bowen...made 1945, no star but definitely nihonto (Chris wouldn't buy showato).

 

I think that the main point about RJT smith work post 1942 but no star is just that these are private order blades IMO.

Hope this helps.

[Bruce Pennington]

7 hours ago, george trotter said:

I think that the main point about RJT smith work post 1942 but no star is just that these are private order blades IMO.

Thanks George.  I agree.  We've learned much since that post.  From our discussions, I learned there could be a number of reasons a blades made by an RJT smith wouldn't have a star.  Like you said - private contract, ware, and other RJT contractual requirements (like dimensions) that weren't met.

Thanks for the examples!

[IJASWORDS]

Thought I would put up a (OTA) YASUTSUGU, he is featured on page 194 in Slough. Although rated a Medium-High Grade Gendaito, he did make some really nice swords.  

The nice polish on this example, displays his skill in sword making.  

[Itomagoi]

Gendaitō in Rinji Seishiki Koshirae made by Hiromasa, his real name is Kamematsu Toriō (1908-1953). Nice Choji-midare of Bizen-school.
I have never seen this color combination on a Rinji Seishiki Koshirae before.

[Tom Clancy]

A one off Special Order.

By Masamichi Feb 1942.  This Sword will be available shortly.

[IJASWORDS]

Wish I could take photos as good as Tom above, but here is my attempt. 

A 1936 GASSAN SADAKATSU, polished, papered, which shows the AYASUJI hada. 

The sword is dedicated to the birth of the Imperial Prince.  

[MarcoUdin]

The hada on that is beautiful Neil, executed perfectly 

[francois2605]

Oh wow, this Gassan is absolutely stunning  Thanks for sharing this beauty !

[Bryce]

G'day Neil,

Beautiful sword! Are you sure it wasn't made in Showa 8, 1933?

Cheers,

Bryce

[IJASWORDS]

Bryce, you are correct, slip of the keyboard. 

[francois2605]

On 5/12/2021 at 5:10 AM, IJASWORDS said:

Wish I could take photos as good as Tom above, but here is my attempt. 

 

Just stumbled upon this PDF: this is the same sword, right ?

 

Edit: no, it's not the same sword, the number of mekugi-ana doesn't match.

Edited May 30, 2021 by francois2605

[Bruce Pennington]

2 hours ago, francois2605 said:

this PDF: 

Wow, that was a great kantei lesson!

[m4l700]

Not sure if i've ever showed my polished Ishido Teruhide, but here you go. A sword I personally enjoy having and looking at. Very tight hada that is hard to make out when it's not properly clean.

Thank you for watching!

Pictures are heavily resized due to file size limit
 

[Ed]

AKIHIDE, KURIHARA

 NBTHK HOZON

SUGATA: SHINOGI ZUKURI

MEI: KUNYON-TO KURIHARA HIKOSABURO AKIHIDE

DATE: SHOWA JU ROKU NEN HACHI GATSU KICHI JITSU (1946)

NAGASA: 74.93cm (29.5″)

OVERALL: 97.15cm (38.25″)

For more photos: https://yakiba.com/akihide-kurihara/

[David Flynn]

1941

[Bryce]

G'day Guys,

Here is my 1940 Gassan Sadakatsu made with steel smelted by the Japan Iron Sand Steel Industry Company. Beautiful tight masame hada.

Cheers,

Bryce

 

[BANGBANGSAN]

On 5/10/2021 at 2:49 AM, Tom Clancy said:

A one off Special Order.

By Masamichi Feb 1942.  This Sword will be available shortly.

 

Tom

Is it in Gunto mount?

[Tom Clancy]

4 hours ago, BANGBANGSAN said:

Tom

Is it in Gunto mount?

Yes Gunto Mounts.

[Sutraken]

A special order Tomita Sukehiro made in 1944 for Mr. Nishisaka Takashi in shirasaya and shingunto mounts. 

[reeder]

Nice Sukehiro! What is the nagasa. 

[Sutraken]

Hello Brandon, 

 

the nagasa is 62,8cm. It is a great sword. 

 

Kind regards 

Stefan 

[reeder]

Here's a couple of my Sukehiro. 27". I'll send this one for polish when I get some of the others that are out back in.

 

[Bazza]

Stefan,

 

Without checking I'm sure I remember seeing the portrait of SUKEHIRO in Ono's GENDAI TOKO MEIKAN...

 

Nice sword, beautiful nakago and mei.

 

BaZZa.

[Sutraken]

Hello Brandon, 

 

thank you for  sharing images of your Sukehiro with us. 

 

Stefan

[Sutraken]

Hi Bazza, 

 

the person who sold me my Sukehiro, a professional dealer, gave me the image I posted yesterday. I don’t know where he found the portrait picture. I didn’t ask him. 

 

Regards 

Stefan