Shin-Gunto; Kamon ID? and Hibacki

[csymmes]

I've attached a copy of a photo of a kamon on a shin-gunto gendaito (with a long signature from a Kondo Akikuni). Does anyone know anything about this kamon? (If anyone has a Kondo Akikuni sword I would also like to compare notes as well).

 

I've also attached a photo of the hibaki, which someone told me was in silver and is called "Falling Rain". Don't know if that is BS or not?

 

Thanks!

[Stephen]

it comes under the characters ...this one is ichi or one

 

few familys have it, first on the list is Asahi

[huntershooter]

Not sure on the kamon, but looks like the kanji "ichi": one. Someone more knowledgeable than I will be able to answer this.

Yes the habaki appears to have the "falling rain" pattern.

[k morita]

Hi, csymmes,

 

Do you know anything about Kondo Akikuni 昭國?

[sanjuro]

Just to be correct right up front, the so called 'falling rain' pattern on the habaki is actually called Neko Gaki. It means 'cat scratches'. It actually has nothing to do with a pattern as such. It is intended to increase the frictional grip of the saya on the habaki at the mouth of the scabbard.

[george trotter]

Hi all,

I have to agree about "neko gaki" (cat scratches). I have always known this pattern as cat scratches...especially in the pattern I have attached...I only came across the term "rain" in recent years...I think it came from an American dealer/auction house.

I may be wrong, so can we have a comment from our knowledgeable on this?

Regards,

George.

[Stephen]

if it was rain it would be more of a driving rain than falling, :lol: known it as cat scratch as well.

[csymmes]

Morita,

 

I only know a little about Kondo Akikuni and would love to know more, if anyone has information. What little I know is from various internet searches stating that he was of the Miyairi School and was appointed Rikugun Jumei Tosho and received prime ministers prize and Excellence prize (I've tried to locate more information on this but have found nothing). As with all "newer" smiths, he is listed as Hawley #8, AKI47/48. That is all I know.

 

The translation was given to me by Kim Jinsoo, who said the smith was named Kondo Akikuni who lived in Tosa of Tokyo (mei on one side says "Oite Tokyo Tosa Akikuni Tsukuru Kore" and the other side is the date (February 1941) "Kigen Nisen Rokuhyaku Ichinen Kichijitsu").

 

I've got a new camera and will post better photos soon (along with a Kai-gunto which I'm trying to get information going on the Nihonto general board as well), but here are some additional ones for everyones viewing pleasure.

 

IMHO, I like the rain reference better than the cat scratches.

 

Thank you all for your comments and information. - CS

[Brian]

A bit off topic...but could the "rain" description be used when only slanted lines are present on the habaki, and the "cat scratches" description be reserved for when there are those burrs at the end of the strokes?

 

Brian

[sanjuro]

Brian

 

You have a point about the rain and cat scratch descriptions, but I think they are both just variations on the old neko gaki theme. Over time, 'falling rain' is a term that has been coined and accepted. The Japanese always seem to refer to it as neko gaki, regardless of the little burrs being there or not. George had a point also about the falling rain title being first coined by an American dealer. I think it was on bad 'ol fleabay that I first came across it. A couple of the American dealers use the term all the time. Maybe they dont know the real name for the marks.

 

Then again, I'm just a grumpy 'ol stickler for the right terminology.

[csymmes]

I know the photo doesn't help much, but they don't appear to be embedded burrs on the habaki like the example George provided. They appear to be small beads. I don't know if that makes a difference or not.

 

Any idea from looking at my poor photos as to whether it is silver or not? - CS

[cabowen]

I know the photo doesn't help much, but they don't appear to be embedded burrs on the habaki like the example George provided. They appear to be small beads. I don't know if that makes a difference or not.

 

Any idea from looking at my poor photos as to whether it is silver or not? - CS

 

 

The burrs wear off with time.

 

Yours looks to be a silver wash though it is hard to tell from the photos...

[k morita]

Morita,I only know a little about Kondo Akikuni and would love to know more, if anyone has information. What little I know is from various internet searches stating that he was of the Miyairi School and was appointed Rikugun Jumei Tosho and received prime ministers prize and Excellence prize (I've tried to locate more information on this but have found nothing). As with all "newer" smiths, he is listed as Hawley #8, AKI47/48. That is all I know.

 

Thank you for your a reply.

Kondo Akikuni was a pupil of Kurihara Hikosaburo (Akihide).

Personal name was Kondo Tsutomu.

Tosa is not in Tokyo, Tosa is now Kochi prefecture.

[csymmes]

Thanks Morita! Do you know if he signs Kondo Tsutomu

 

Do you have any idea of value of his work or does it vary depending on the work?

 

I'm still working on the other photos. Can't seem to get a good close up with enough lighting.

 

-Cowles

[csymmes]

More photos. Still learning how to use my Nikon D5000 and having trouble with the automatic zoom for close-ups, but wanted to provide a couple other shots.

 

Any information on the tassels will be helpful. I know there are 2 different ones, and do not know why as it came that way when purchased.

 

Thanks - Cowles

[gudis]

A little off topic..

 

Clean the blade !! you got some nice fingerprints on the second picture.

[sanjuro]

Lets get real.

 

This sword is in gunto mounts. Brass Habaki made for gunto were second rate at best. Your habaki is most likely silver washed and not really high quality. The blade isnt exceptional and needs a polish ( if it is deemed good enough to polish). Enough tippy-toeing around the 'lets not hurt the newbie feelings' thing.

Sometimes this hand holding and backside wiping really gets my goat!

[csymmes]

Thanks for your comments Keith. Yes, I am a newbie, but I've seen some nice blades in gunto mounts. Trust me, I don't need tip toeing and if it were a piece of junk, someone would have said so already. Quite frankly, I would want to know myself.

 

But you bring up a good point, the blade does need a polish, as I've never cleaned it before (been worried about doing something wrong). How does a newbie determine whether it is worthy of a new polish and where would one go (in the South) to have it done? I know the expense could outweight the value of the sword, so is there only one type of polish or would the suggestion be to get a window in order to see what you really have?

 

All comments welcomed, even those without the TP! - Cowles

[sanjuro]

Cowles.

Straight shot........ no ice cubes and no mixers.

 

If you are worried about doing something wrong in cleaning the sword then there are a dozen topics on this forum that tell you how to go about it. Read them! Cleaning and oiling a sword is a basic 'need to know'. The FAQ section would be a good start.

How do you determine if it warrants a polish? Quite simply, You dont! a polisher does that, and it costs money. Even for those among us who are very knowledgeable, there are no shortcuts. Does the polish outweigh the cost of the sword? Yes it does! The less you pay for a sword on the basis of 'good stuff aint cheap and cheap stuff aint good', the more the cost of a polish becomes in comparison. The facts of life I'm afraid.

As for finding someone 'In the South' ? who cares where? A good polisher is where he is and you only need to get the sword to him to find out all you need to know in order to make the decision.

 

Incidentally, Theres nothing wrong with being a newbie, nor is there any stigma attached to the appelation. Its how you go about handling that particular affliction that makes the difference. Read everything you can get your hands on! Then ask questions.

[george trotter]

Cowles,

The sword is by Kondo Akikuni, as Morita san said. Akikuni was born in Taisho 7, July 28. He entered study under Kurihara Hikosaburo Akihide in Sho 14. He became Rikugun Jumei Tosho in Sho 17 year. He later worked in Nagano Ken under Miyairi Akihira. He was 2nd seat in Shinsakuto Exhib in 1941 (Morita san's pic). He won other awards also. He re-entered swords after the war in Sho 33. He worked in the Bizen style, Ichimonji Sukemune, Osafune Nagamitsu, Kagemitsu and other styles (from Ono GTKSS, 1977 p.122). I did not notice a star stamp or date? so don't know whether it is gendaito...it is by a noted gendaito tosho however and is likely a good sword. I think his work is worth preserving.

From the little I can see of the fittings, they look good quality gunto...the original rank tassel (I-cho) seems to be blue/brown which is company grade...someone has attached a red/brown tassel to the saya which is the higher field grade ...this tassel is a bonus as they are valuable items today.

I would advise that you carefully/gently clean the blade with tissue/soft cloth and methylated spirits to get the old oil/gunk off, and then uchiko and oil. Examine the blade carefully and enjoy. If you can, take it to the SF shinsa for advice on polishing (which it needs). I wouldn't rush things...I think you have chanced on a nice find.

Regards,

George.

[cabowen]

The blade has a typical, service polish one would expect on a WWII sword meant for military use.

 

Properly done, a good cleaning may be all the blade needs.

 

To have this blade repolished correctly would indeed cost more than it is worth, at least at the present time, still, it would be a crime to let an amateur repolish it, i.e. anyone in the US other than Hayashi or Benson.

 

It doesn't look to be in that bad of shape. I would give it a good cleaning and let it be.....

[george trotter]

Cowles,

Sorry, I missed that you show the date Feb 1941...so it won't have the star stamp...It looks like a good sword however (can't tell if gendaito unless in hand...but looks promising and smith is good gendai tosho)

Advice about a good clean maybe being all the sword needs is worth listening to...polish may look a lot better after a clean.

Regards again,

Geo.

[csymmes]

Thank you all for your comments.

 

Just returned from the Antique Roadshow. There were 2 militaria appraisers, one said he didn't do swords while the other looked at it for 20 seconds and said it was worth $800-1200. Didn't look at the tang or anything. He said the Kai-Gunto (which I have photos on the Nihonto discussion board) was $3000-4000, but provided nothing more.

 

Don't know if that is an accurate appraisal or not, but was a little disappointed.

 

-Cowles