what you think?

[vajo]

Found this on facebook ...

 

 

 

 

[Bruce Pennington]

Well, it's absolutely gorgeous.  A little too pristine, maybe?  Like the tsuka looks brand new.  But then the tsuba and seppa do too.  I've seen some of these on Aoi Japan.  I don't know if they are refurbishing the fittings or if they have a supplier that is making them new.  Either way, it's either a pristine closet gunto or a really good restoration.

 

Are you asking about the mei?

[SteveM]

Everything about it looks brand new, including the shirasaya.

 

The inscription says it was presented to "His Excellency, UMEZU Yoshijirō" in September 1939, and is from the Nihontō Tanrenkai (Japanese Sword Forge Association, i.e. Yasukuni Forge). 

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yoshijirō_Umezu

 

 

 

 

 

 

[vajo]

My first thought was - this is a replica. Because it looks like brandnew and the leafs of the fuchi looks not right. But i think this sword is very unlucky photographed. With flash not focused or the blue light is false. So the color is total false.

I think its a real Yasukuni to in top mountings.

But i was unsure what i see.

[John C]

I think the wear on the patina of the tsuba looks a bit artificial given how pristine everything else is. I would lean toward nicely restored.

John C.

[BANGBANGSAN]

昭和十四年九月吉日 1939.September
為紀念贈  Gift for commemoration
梅津美治郎閣下  Sire Yoshijirō Umezu
日本刀鍛練會 Nihon To Tanren Kai 

Yoshijirō Umezu (梅津 美治郎, Umezu Yoshijirō) (January 4, 1882 – January 8, 1949) was a Japanese general in World War II and Chief of the Army General Staff during the final years of the conflict. He was convicted of war crimes and sentenced to life imprisonment.

[robinalexander]

Can't make out the sarute barrel but from the last picture I can see where a second ashi has been fitted in the past. So with the centred chuso and pierced tsuba = Type 94 koshirae?

[Bruce Pennington]

2 hours ago, robinalexander said:

Can't make out the sarute barrel but from the last picture I can see where a second ashi has been fitted in the past. So with the centred chuso and pierced tsuba = Type 94 koshirae?

Yes, good catch!  First time I've actually seen marks from the second ashi.

[PNSSHOGUN]

Yes, Type 94 100%. 

[Bruno]

I remember "they" made several fake high grades officers years ago in Japan. Maybe this one is one of them?

[NathanLM]

I don’t think fake. I think just a very nice Gunto. 

[SteveM]

Chris/Vajo, was there any inscription on the other side of the tang?

 

 

[vajo]

Hi Steve,

unfortunatly not. He says he will do it.

 

[lucidorise]

Another sword with almost similar signatures made for baron inoue.

[vajo]

Its a private group so i can't give the link.

But these are the three pictures he posted from the nakago.

 

Ronnie when i compare the kanji they are 100% the same what you think

left is yours - right the other sword.

 

[lucidorise]

Hi Chris,

 

Yes. They are exactly the same. Hard to tell whether it is an imitation sword or not. Again, I have the same doubt on the fittings. 

 

The Mon plate (maruni daki myouga) looks worn and doesn't fit with the brand new fittings 

 

Ronnie 

[Geraint]

Dear Ronnie.

 

I do not think the silver mon is worn, I think the ground was gilt and the polished silver surface has tarnished a little, that's all.  

 

All the best.

[vajo]

Geraint, yes.

(picture is from John)

 

[PNSSHOGUN]

Some more with gilt remaining, it is difficult to find completely intact. Here are some examples:

 

[Geraint]

Thanks both.

 

Those are some lovely examples!

 

All the best.

[mdiddy]

On 12/3/2022 at 3:52 AM, PNSSHOGUN said:

Some more with gilt remaining, it is difficult to find completely intact

 

 

Here is one I found, more or less completely intact. Also, mine features a copper habaki with a matching mon that was similarly gilded. 

 

 

[Bruce Pennington]

Matt, is that an extra inscription alongside the date?

[mdiddy]

8 hours ago, Bruce Pennington said:

Matt, is that an extra inscription alongside the date?

 

Yes, it is the mei. The nengo (right column) and the mei (left column) are on the same side of the nakago. On the other side is a lengthy inscription. I will share it in the near future, maybe a separate thread.