Shin-gunto koshirae question

[Jiro49]

Ill preface this by saying I know very little about shin-gunto koshirae!

 

I have a question regarding the quality of this mounting and the fact that it has no numbers or stamps?

 

The tsuba is huge, this is the first time Ive seen one this thick, the seppa are all nice quality. The nanako is very good and the sakura have more detail than most. The tsuka has a very pronounced sori which I have seen before but on presentation swords during the war.

 

Thank you in advance!

[Dick Tait]

Pierced Shin-Gunto Tsuba are generally regarded as higher quality than solid cast examples.

 

http://www.h4.dion.ne.jp/~t-ohmura/gunto_012.htm

[Geraint]

Hi Matt,

 

What about the saya? Is it laquered wood perhaps? Also some images of the blade and nakago would be interesting. This looks like a nice sword, you must be pleased with it.

 

All the best.

[george trotter]

The range of detail on fittings and the component quality varies widely...probably related to price range in the various fittings shops around the country.

I think an officer could provide his own blade if he chose and have it mounted to any price range he could afford.

The very thick rim on the tsuba is not common, but is seen from time to time.

The last time I saw one it was about 5/8" (15 mm) in the rim. It was on a blade by Hizen Tadahiro captured at the US-Australian joint campaign at Milne Bay PNG.

I think it wise to always check a blade if the mountings are special order like this....while not always the case, it usually indicates a "private" mounting job on a better blade.

Regards,

Edit: typos...again!

[Jiro49]

The saya is metal green gloss.

 

I just read this in another thread "made in Manchuria, as it was considered a separate country by the Japanese, (even after they occupied and 'colonized' it) they used a 15 and a 20 Stamen Plum Blossom instead of the traditional 5 Petal Cherry Blossom."

 

I just have never seen this style of sakura on gunto koshirae before..?

[nihonto1001]

It seems like these tsuba/koshirae are also associated with higher quality blades. Gendaito?

[Jiro49]

27.7" koto signed bungo kuni takada ju nagamori saku and dated 02/1565.