Photo of an IJA Officer with Shin-Gunto
 

Just bought a photo showing an Imperial Japanese Army Officer holding a shin-gunto sitting in front camera.

Will find a frame to hold it, hanging next to the iconic weapon.

Love it

Yes-helmets too.
Navy and Naval landing forces had an anchor scheme.

Outstanding picture.
You got to love period images.

Very Cool! Is the guy in the picture holding the actual sword in the first picture? If so, thats really cool!

Alvin
Nice picture.
I bet this officer was part of the Kwantung Army that invaded Manchuria judging by his head gear.:thumbup:
Bob

nice sword

Try opening your IJA officer image in software like Paint Shop Pro and converting it to greyscale... that should remove the damage to the upper portion of the photo that appears orange or tan in color. The photo will probably look much better for framing.

Great photo and great sword!

I hate asking this, as I know nothing of Alvin. Im just curious of his heritage. If you dont mind. Cause that sword with that picture are very interesting. Im just curious about the story behind it. definitly a sword I would love to add to my collection of things.

Not a family heritage. I collected four Japanese swords. Since there is a need to raise some cash so I can give an expensive C96 a try (not sure its condition yet, just a possibility), so I sold three of my shin-guntos. Unfortunately, the $$ that I earned on EBAY went to my wife's account, and she insisted on spending those money on "useful" things. I lost my swords without gaining anything.... That's the side story.

I listed this sword on EBAY for a week or two, no one bids on it. So this one left in my collection. Recently I bought a rack to put it on my room.

Wow! I know you hated having to part with them swords. I knowledge of these swords is very slim. Seeing the picture of the man holding a sword like this, I'm assuming these date to the WWII era. I noticed the writing in the picture, is that underneath the hand grip? If you mind me asking, what does a sword like usually go for. Not that I'm asking if your still selling, cause I'm sure you want to hold on to it. As I also want you to. I'm just curious with a sword with actual writing like that on the sword. Have you ever found out what it says?

Yeah.... at this moment, I'm not in hurry to sell it. Sold a few guns (including a hot assault rifle!) to raise fund for the target pistol, most likely not enough, but I won't overbid it anyway. So money wise, the pushing force disappeared.

Regarding the "mei" (handwriting on steel handle), it's the swordsmith who made this gendaito. "下總住國明": the first two Kanji (下總) is a city/town/county in Japan, so it's a location. The 3rd character (住) is "lived in". The last two characters "國明" is the name of the swordsmith. Oriental culture puts location in the front, so the mei really reads "國明, who lived in 下總".

There is a list of Showa era swordsmithes, but I did not find this man's name in the list. Many Showato's have date on the other side of the steel handle, but this one does not. God knows, the blade might be made in pre-Showa era and fitted in Type 98 style during WWII. But that's a guesstimation. This is the only instance that I've seen carrying this mei.

I have an arisaka 99 and bayonet. I find the oriental writing very unique and almost an artwork in itself. I had to look at my series inscription over and over before it finally made since and looked like one I saw on the internet. Mine also has a single stamp on the bottom of the stock I have yet to figure out.

You definitly have a sword I would hate to ever leave my hands if I ever did get one. Thanks for for showing your sword on this site.

This makes me think of posting some pictures of an old civil war sword thats been in my family as long as I've known. It aint a special one with any markings and the blade is pitted up on one end. Its an old wristbreaker 1870 something I think. But its a good mantle piece though.

Now I know who to ask for when I decide to buy my first Japanese sword!