Scogg Posted February 25 Report Posted February 25 Yes, I am confident this is a genuine example. Does it have a matching saya number? Cheers, -Sam 1 Quote
Rayray Posted February 25 Author Report Posted February 25 On 2/25/2025 at 11:04 PM, Scogg said: Yes, I am confident this is a genuine example. Does it have a matching saya number? Cheers, -Sam Expand Not sure I’m trying to get more pictures. thanks! 1 Quote
Conway S Posted February 25 Report Posted February 25 On 2/25/2025 at 10:52 PM, Rayray said: Expand Just be mindful the blade looks like it has some staining or scuffing. The price isn’t too bad. Might not be there if you wait for more pictures in this picture. Conway Quote
John C Posted February 26 Report Posted February 26 On 2/25/2025 at 11:05 PM, Rayray said: Not sure I’m trying to get more pictures. Expand At that price, a mismatched saya would be okay. It's at the low end of the price scale but the seller has zero feedback, so keep that in mind as well. John C. Quote
Kolekt-To Posted February 26 Report Posted February 26 When an NCO sword (albeit in mint condition) sells on eBay for over $1800.00 and a Gendaito Type 98 (in excellent condition) sells for a little over $1000.00 a couple weeks before. Make this make sense. Strange times, strange market. 2 1 Quote
George KN Posted February 26 Report Posted February 26 ^ Completely agree with this, it's bizarre! I also haven't been able to fathom it. Can anyone else? Quote
Scogg Posted February 26 Report Posted February 26 It’s crazy isn’t it? I’ve been thinking about this a lot lately. I have my theories: Gendaito and Nihonto are works of art, and with that, comes a large and long learning curve. I think many militaria collectors are intimidated by Gendaito, and even showato. They have to settle with the fact that they cannot translate Mei, and they may struggle to fathom who might have carried the sword in the war, and what rank. They also require more careful storage and handling. There’s also a large scale of quality that they might find difficult to perceive. Militaria collectors like things that are standardized and can be more easily researched. The Type 95 better fits this mould. They are serialized, so it’s easy to fathom how many may have been made, it’s easy to imagine who might have carried it, and it’s easier to confirm if it’s genuine, from their point of view. Militaria collectors are many, Nihonto and Gendaito collectors are relatively few. Sometimes I wonder if 95s are being bought up and stored in long term collections, increasing their rarity in the market. While Gendaito and Showato are experiencing a sell off in comparison. Just my thoughts on the matter. Nothing for certain. Cheers, -Sam 5 Quote
Conway S Posted February 26 Report Posted February 26 I think Type 95s just appeal to people who want a “Japanese sword” for their collection and the aluminum, copper, or wood handles make them unique in these collectors’ minds. I really like Type 95s, but I am not someone who pays $1000 plus for one. I have found deals on nice condition ones by being patient. It’s why I don’t have a copper one yet. I think they are way over-priced. I would much rather buy a gendaito for those prices. Conway 3 Quote
George KN Posted February 27 Report Posted February 27 I think you've probably hit the nail on the head Sam with them seemingly being easier pieces to collect. Still, commercially it seems odd - like I can see a future where as Gendaito/Shinsakuto are increasingly using modern tools and methods that WW2 Showato are once again accepted into Japan on mass, increasing their global value, but I can never see that happening with the type 95's due to their factory construction... Because of that too, it seems to be much harder to spot good fakes, and they do seem fairly prevalent. Don't get me wrong, the genuine articles are really cool pieces of history, and I want one for my own collection, it's just interesting that the market is developing in this way. Makes me wonder if some of the type 95 collectors will begin branching out into Nihonto more in the near future. That all being said, I do like Ray's example in the OP of this thread 1 Quote
Scogg Posted February 27 Report Posted February 27 As someone who appreciates and values art, and therefore Nihonto - It's really baffling to me too. I have had a table at the monthly local Militaria show. You'd be amazed how much interested my 'not for sale' Type95 gets, over the Type98 Showato I had, or even my Hozon papered Wakizashi in shirasaya (sudo kunitsugu). Militaria collectors look at the Papered Wakizashi with distain! It's like they scoff at the fact it's been polished after manufacture, and the shirasaya screams to them "not original fittings". Meanwhile they try to offer me crazy money for the 95 (near 2k). Honestly, I just don't get it. I don't host tables at these shows anymore - and instead just attend as a guest. Ray's example with the Tokyo 1 Star, is in really great shape. I'd jump on it, if it were reasonably priced! Just my experience. Cheers, -Sam 1 Quote
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