AOI ART GENERAL'S GUNTO/YASUKUNITO

[Guest Simon R]

Even at ¥1,111,000, I would say that 'johnfair7171' is a very lucky chap to get this virtually mint general's Yasukunito.

 

https://sword-auction.com/en/product/15845/as22567-刀：靖吉（保存刀剣）/

 

(And who could resist the sales pitch?

"This product has good blade crests as well as the ground iron, with the legs working in mutual disorder. It is a work that was owned by a plasterer-class soldier with a neat and beautiful work.")

[rematron]

"with the legs working in mutual disorder" is an amazing description for an otherwise inanimate object! I like it! 

[David Flynn]

Except for the Tassel, there is nothing that says this is a General's sword.    To call it a Generals sword, there would need to be provenance. 

[xiayang]

7 hours ago, SRDRowson said:

plasterer-class soldier

 

When the sword went up for auction I noticed this too and it amused me enough to check what's behind it.

It turns out the funny translation came about because they mixed up homophones and used a wrong character in the original Japanese listing (https://sword-auction.com/ja/product/15844/as22567-刀：靖吉（保存刀剣）/).

 

左官 = plasterer

 

佐官 = field officer

 

Both words are pronounced the same (sakan).

[PNSSHOGUN]

It is a nice sword with a general tassel attached. As David said, there needs to be some good provenance these days. Otherwise, hey presto: four generals swords!

 

 

[Guest Simon R]

8 hours ago, David Flynn said:

Except for the Tassel, there is nothing that says this is a General's sword.    To call it a Generals sword, there would need to be provenance. 

But honourable Tsuruta-san is beyond all reproach or doubt. He would never, ever pop a mint general's tassel on a Yasukunito to hike up the price. 

Plus, of course, johnfair7171 believed it to the tune of ¥1,111,000 - therefore, it must be true.

 

(I'm British - ergo, I'm sarcastic.😉)

[Guest Simon R]

5 hours ago, xiayang said:

 

When the sword went up for auction I noticed this too and it amused me enough to check what's behind it.

It turns out the funny translation came about because they mixed up homophones and used a wrong character in the original Japanese listing (https://sword-auction.com/ja/product/15844/as22567-刀：靖吉（保存刀剣）/).

 

左官 = plasterer

 

佐官 = field officer

 

Both words are pronounced the same (sakan).

Many thanks for explaining that, Jan.
I was perplexed how 'plasterer' had entered the description and simply put it down to Google Translate going haywire!

 

Simon

[Volker62]

very very nice swords John, congrats!

[waljamada]

No general's tassel but this Yasunori/Yasukunito is on Aoi now and a more affordable price than stateside prices typically:

 

https://www.aoijapan.com/katanashowa-11-nen-10-gatsu-kichijitsu-yasunori/

[PNSSHOGUN]

Nice sword and a good price. Made in 1936 but has Type 98 Koshirae is a bit puzzling.

[Baka Gaijin]

Hi John, Could it be a 94 with a later paint job on the Saya?

 

 

[Guest Simon R]

Just now, Baka Gaijin said:

Hi John, Could it be a 94 with a later paint job on the Saya?

 

 

Hi Malcolm,

I don't mean to intercept on John's behalf - he's far more knowledgeable than me - but I believe a type 94 would definitely have a pierced tsuba and central Chūsō-button in the fuchi.

 

Simon

[Baka Gaijin]

Thank You Simon,

 

That's really helpful, I didnt know about the central button position.

 

[PNSSHOGUN]

They are early Type 98 pattern mounts of very good quality, it is just somewhat unexpected to see them. Yasukuni-To are a bit of an exception as even well in the last years of the war they still were mounted in the top quality Type 94 early style of mounts with pierced Tsuba and gloss saya. Many Yasukuni-To can be found in Suya Shoten marked Koshirae and it seems Suya was using these top quality fittings right until the end of the war.

 

The simple and logical explanation is the sword was mounted later than when it was made.

[Baka Gaijin]

Again John,

 

You provide excellent and concise information.

 

Thank You

 

[PNSSHOGUN]

The sword has been re-listed: https://www.aoijapan.com/katana-yasuyoshinbthk-hozon-token-2/