Miche Posted April 10 Report Posted April 10 Hi All, this Kai Gunto marine sword is for sale near me. Is it a good one? Is it possible to tell something about the age of the blade and polishing? Thank you, Michel 2 Quote
ROKUJURO Posted April 11 Report Posted April 11 Looks like a traditionally made blade in high quality military mounts. With good photos of the NAKAGO (plain, dark, non-reflecting background, photos presented as cut-outs, no HABAKI) and close-ups of the blade you may get more feedback in the NIHONTO section. 2 Quote
Miche Posted April 11 Author Report Posted April 11 Thank you! As I do not own this blade, is that allowed to present it in another forum? Quote
Scogg Posted April 11 Report Posted April 11 2 minutes ago, Miche said: Thank you! As I do not own this blade, is that allowed to present it in another forum? Yes, it's OK to post blades from internet/sale listings - especially if you have questions and are considering a purchase. I can move this thread to the NIHONTO section, to save you the time of creating a new topic - if that is agreeable to you. Let me know, -Sam 1 Quote
Lewis B Posted April 11 Report Posted April 11 The koshire (especially the ray skin saya) is very fine. This suggests the blade for which it was made is equally valuable. Being mumei and o-suriage I would assume its quite old (family blade?) Quote
Scogg Posted April 11 Report Posted April 11 It's also not common to see a tsunagi/shirasaya setup on WW2 swords like this. Somebody must have recognized the quality post-war, and commissioned the shirasaya. Blade looks older than WW2 to me. Wish we had more sugata photos, but my gut leans toward shinto period . I am making some assumptions, obviously - but it all bodes well for a potentially quality piece. Grain of salt. -Sam Quote
Miche Posted April 11 Author Report Posted April 11 48 minutes ago, Scogg said: Yes, it's OK to post blades from internet/sale listings - especially if you have questions and are considering a purchase. I can move this thread to the NIHONTO section, to save you the time of creating a new topic - if that is agreeable to you. Let me know, -Sam Hallo Sam, please do. Thank you. 1 Quote
Gerry Posted April 11 Report Posted April 11 Nice looking blade, and it looks like a wakizashi, since the torokusho states the cutting edge being 5?.8cm. The mounts are very nice, especially that area of the ray skin that looks like a chrysanthemum flower. This is probably a sword that came from a collector in Japan, judging from the attached torokusho. BTW, the tang is ubu, not osuriage. 1 Quote
Miche Posted April 11 Author Report Posted April 11 The total length in mounts is 93 cm, the cutting edge is 59.8 cm Quote
Lewis B Posted April 11 Report Posted April 11 1 hour ago, Gerry said: Nice looking blade, and it looks like a wakizashi, since the torokusho states the cutting edge being 5?.8cm. The mounts are very nice, especially that area of the ray skin that looks like a chrysanthemum flower. This is probably a sword that came from a collector in Japan, judging from the attached torokusho. BTW, the tang is ubu, not osuriage. Ubu yet mumei? An interesting discussion here around the subject. https://www.militaria.co.za/nmb/topic/14981-ubu-and-mumei/#comments 1 Quote
Stephen Posted April 11 Report Posted April 11 I don't know if the registration paper will give you any clues but maybe someone can translate for you Quote
Miche Posted April 12 Author Report Posted April 12 As I am looking to buy this and it will probably my only one, is this a good one to start with? I am also a novice on prices, they vary a lot. What would be fair? I know this is a sensitive question. 1 Quote
PNSSHOGUN Posted April 12 Report Posted April 12 If the price is reasonable it would be a fine first sword. Good Kai Gunto mounts and nice looking older blade, many of us started with far less glamorous examples. 5 Quote
2devnul Posted April 14 Report Posted April 14 On 4/12/2025 at 10:43 AM, Miche said: am also a novice on prices, they vary a lot. What would be fair? I know this is a sensitive question. Hi, It is a tricky question, since each sword is worth as much as someone is willing to pay for it This one, based on the pictures, looks like a very nice O-Wakizashi/Ko-Katana. In decent polish and with nice looking, original Gunto Koshirae. Blade might be Shinto Echizen as per my first guess. I wouldn't mind to have one like that in my collection. IMHO it is easily worth minimum 3k$. Even without papers (although for some collectors they are mandatory). At least no one will call it Gimei, since it is Mumei PS. If you are looking to buy then please also check this forum's 'for sale' section. There are some nice packages there available (including mine, therefore the adversary). Quote
Miche Posted April 17 Author Report Posted April 17 Thank you very much for the advice. I am still contemplating. Quote
Mister Gunto Posted Friday at 12:50 AM Report Posted Friday at 12:50 AM Old blade in nice Kai-Gunto mounts. Depending on the price, it looks like a nice buy. Quote
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