Kaigunto

[hxv]

Greetings,

 

I just want to share a new item in my militaria collection. The blade was posted here viewtopic.php?f=1&t=20468

 

Here are the mounts the blade came in. Everything fits tightly (tsuka, tsuba, seppa, saya) with no free play. Overall, it's a really nice package: a nice blade in high-quality mounts. Enjoy!

 

Regards,

Hoanh

[Kai-Gunto]

Nice one, congrats mate.

[Stephen]

thumbs up

[Daniel]

Very nice!!!

[Moley]

Please forgive me if this is taking the thread offline.

But

Looking at this wonderful exmple

I have often wondered...

Were Kai -gunto .. (Navy swords) "Superior" to Kuy Gunto (Army Swords) ?

Please forgive me if I used the wrong terms.

It just seems to me that the "Navy" swords have so much "better" koshirae??

Or... is this my interpretation?

Any reason for me thinking this?

Any difference in the actual blades?

(I know some were stainless steel)

But "Otherwise" ????

 

 

Gwyn

[Kai-Gunto]

Army had shingunto!

[Moley]

Army had shingunto!

 

Thank you.. I am corrected..

But

Is there any difference in "Quality" ???

 

In the U.K. the Navy is the "Senior Service" ..

So has more "snob value" ???

How about Japan?

 

Moley

[Geraint]

Hi Gwyn.

 

Kyu gunto are the earlier style. There is a range in quality of mounts in both kaigunto and shingunto. The treatment of the saya and the quality of the mounts themselves can vary quite a bit. I am sure others will have examples of all sorts. The example that Hoanh shows is very nice, the silver mon on the menuki is a nice touch, as is the lacquered shark skin saya. I am not certain of the relative merits of army and navy in Japanese culture except to note that naval power has perhaps a less dominant position than might be the case in England. Naval swords are less often seen and this is usually explained as a result of many going down with the ship.

 

Lots to explore.

 

All the best.

[LakeBum]

LOVE this sword and fittings, great buy!

[hxv]

Thank you Jason. I was very lucky indeed. The sword is with John Tirado now for shirasaya and tsunagi. I had just purchased a nice, mint naval tassel from a member here to complete the sword.

 

Regards,

Hoanh