Different gunto menuki

[Itomagoi]

Hey,

i only got this one menuki from a friend and was very happy about it. I wanted to show you this one. I have found these Menuki mounted on the following swords:

 

https://www.antique-swords.com/924-1938-model-Imperial-Japanese-NCOs-shin-gunto.html

 

https://www.antique-swords.com/C06-Late-War-WW2-Japanese-Army-Officers-Shin-Gunto-Katana.html

[Dave R]

 They look like Chuso release buttons for Shin Gunto repurposed as menuki. Looks like a bit of a late war substitution, either because of shortages or to save money.

[Itomagoi]

Yeah, you're right. Looks like the release button. :-D

[Bruce Pennington]

I no longer have the earlier F & G edition that Doug references in his item description (just re-ordered!), but the pattern looks more like a police pattern than an Imperial court style. Maybe even a diplomat.

 

Peter, how in the world did you find those examples?

[Itomagoi]

A friend of mine bought a sword on ebay and this Menuki was there. He gave it to me as a present.

I think it will be difficult to find the second piece. :-D

[Dave R]

  On 7/18/2020 at 2:51 PM, Itomagoi said:

A friend of mine bought a sword on ebay and this Menuki was there. He gave it to me as a present.

I think it will be difficult to find the second piece. :-D

 

 Not really, just buy a damaged chuso from Eb**! Not a perfect one, because THEY are rare.

[Bruce Pennington]

  On 7/18/2020 at 8:03 PM, Dave R said:

Not really, just buy a damaged chuso from Eb**! Not a perfect one, because THEY are rare.

I doubt he will find that exact pattern though.

[Dave R]

 Funny enough, menuki seem to be one of the areas where there was a bit of latitude, either offered, or taken. Frankly I see no point in reproducing an emergency improvisation..... unless you are repairing a sword with evidence that this was its original form. But that's me, we all have our prejudices.