Need opinions on this Samurai Sword.

[army_inc]

Hey guys,
I have the opportunity to get this samurai sword pictured. I don't know much about the Japanese side of WWII as I've mainly been doing the European theater of collecting. Any thoughts on this sword. THe gentleman who is selling this said he got it appraised at a gun show by Mr. John Yumoto, author of "The Samurai Sword" who was at the local gun show promoting his book. THe thing that gets me is his book was written in 1989 so it's not like it's a recent publishing. Any thoughts as if this guy is being legit or if he is blowing smoke? What are your thoughts on the sword? THanks guys.

[army_inc]

just found out he had a 2011 printing as well. Here's another picture. I Have more pics if you need them, but figured these three would start the thread off.

[gunto]

Fake!

[army_inc]

What are some things to look for so if I do buy one, I know (or at least have a better idea) that it isn't a fake? I did noticed that it didn't have the "wavy" line near the blade where the steel is forged together or what not, but figured maybe it was a more recent katana made for a soldier getting ready to go off to war. I wasn't sure. Like I said, I'm just not starting to branch over into Japanese items and I feel like a total newbie. Thanks again for the help.

[Steve Flanagan]

Sword

Chinese or Pakistani not even close, not enough quality even the wrap screams fake! Buy some good sword books by Dawson such as the Cyclopedia edition of Swords of Imperial Japan edition he recently came out with. Here is a site I deal with regularly

http://www.satcho.com/References.htm

[Budo45]

http://home.earthlink.net/~steinrl/nihonto.htm

read this sight front to back then you should have a good idea what to look for.

[pmiya]

John Yumoto died in 1988, his book was first published in 1958.

[Bob Coleman]

The late Yumoto Sensei never saw this sword as he would have immediately labeled it a fake. This was likely made after his death in the late 1980's.

[Bob Coleman]

It is disgusting that an individual would quote an individual who has been gone for so many years. Yumoto Sensei more than anyone else in the post war years helped the foreign collector learn about the Japanese sword and it's fittings. I know he pointed me in the right direction and opened many doors for me in Japan. He NEVER went to gun shows to promote his book. He would travel to Japanese swords shows and lecture and give opinions on blades and fittings. He never brought copies of his book with to sell. He did not need self promotion. He was a guest in my home many times when he came to the Chicago Sword Show.

[Stu W]

Yumoto sensei's book can often be found for sale. I've picked up several near new used copies over the last year for members here who, like yourself, wanted a book on the basics. I've paid between 10 and 15 USD each for them and they are a great place to start.

Grey Doffin could probably find you one in a short time...

http://www.japaneseswordbooksandtsuba.com/


As to your question about what to look for...that will be resolved somewhat by viewing the images in the book and on web sites such as mentioned above. Here's another that may be helpful...

http://www.h4.dion.ne.jp/~t-ohmura/gunto_002.htm


Before buying anything have a look and see what it is you really want to collect. True "samurai" period swords or military (Gunto) swords? A nice IJA Type 95 NCO such as seen in these somewhat dated photos...

http://dev.wehrmacht-awards.com/foru...d.php?t=495813

...can be obtained for around 800-1000 USD +/-. IJA officer Shin-gunto for about 1200 USD whereas a IJN Kai-gunto will be more again. Probably pushing 2K USD if in decent condition.

Here's a link you may find helpful with terms...

http://home.earthlink.net/~steinrl/showato.htm

and here is another for general info...

http://home.earthlink.net/~steinrl/military.htm


Don't rush into a purchase. Mistakes in sword collecting tend to be expensive and we are here to help you avoid them. Once you have a better idea of what it is you want to obtain let one of the sword collecting regulars on this sub forum know and we can assist.

Regards,
Stu

[Stu W]

Bringing this back up as it does not appear the original posting member has seen the additional information supplied.

Regards,
Stu

[army_inc]

Hey Guys!
Sorry about not responding. I've been super busy with family and military obligations. I appreciate the heads up on the swords and the information about the author and sorry to hear about his passing. I'm glad that I got the truth though as something wasn't write about this whole sale. I've got to the Richmond Gun show a lot over the years and have never seen a man who appraised swords promoting his book. It's a shame that someone would lie like that to make a buck. THanks for the information again.