george trotter Posted December 13, 2017 Report Posted December 13, 2017 I picked up an interesting kai-gunto yesterday...blade ordinary, but it has the details of both the Australian officer who obtained it in 1945 and the Japanese Naval Ensign who owned/surrendered it. It had the surrender tag and brown rank tassel as one would expect to see (FYI...it also has the extra protruding type scabbard ishizuke (chape) as illustrated in F&G "Jap. Mil. and Civil Swords and Dirks" pp.70 & 129). My question however relates to the little "tassel" attached to the top scabbard suspension ring. I just don't know exactly what these are. I have seen about 3 over the last 45 years and wonder if anyone knows something about them. Apart from this one on this scabbard, I have seen them twice on navy dirks, also hanging from the suspension ring. They are brown, good quality "cord" with a plaited/woven "ball"...also of good quality like the usual quality tassels seen on navy and army swords. Anyone know anything? Regards,. Quote
Kai-Gunto Posted December 13, 2017 Report Posted December 13, 2017 They are for the kaigunto. Its a lock strap. 5 Quote
george trotter Posted December 13, 2017 Author Report Posted December 13, 2017 Well, I'll be....thanks for that. Who says the young can't teach the old! Just to expand a little...do they appear on army gunto also? Regards, Quote
george trotter Posted December 13, 2017 Author Report Posted December 13, 2017 Well I'll be...thanks for that. Regards,. Quote
Kai-Gunto Posted December 13, 2017 Report Posted December 13, 2017 I have never seen them on shingunto Quote
Dave R Posted December 13, 2017 Report Posted December 13, 2017 Shin Gunto tend to solve the problem with metal latches (Chuso stoppers) on metal saya, and leather tabs with buckles or popper studs on the field saya. 3 Quote
Bazza Posted December 13, 2017 Report Posted December 13, 2017 I have one coloured brown on a Shingunto housing a Gassan Sadakatsu blade. It was attached to the sarute so I don't see how that could be a lock-strap - that could be one use, but I suspect there might be another aspect to it. BaZZa. Quote
Kai-Gunto Posted December 13, 2017 Report Posted December 13, 2017 On 12/13/2017 at 11:32 AM, Bazza said: I have one coloured brown on a Shingunto housing a Gassan Sadakatsu blade. It was attached to the sarute so I don't see how that could be a lock-strap - that could be one use, but I suspect there might be another aspect to it. BaZZa. Does the gunto have a lock clip? Maybe post-war mounted. I wouldnt relie on a thin strap as a tassel, it has to be mounted onto the wrist. Do You have a picture of it? Heres one more period photo Quote
PNSSHOGUN Posted January 5, 2019 Report Posted January 5, 2019 I recently acquired one of these, I think they are so rare/unknown nobody on ebay knew what it was... 2 Quote
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