Family Mon on Gunto

[Shere Khan]

Hi guys!

I saw this sword and immediately a doubt came to me.

It's not the first time I have seen a family mon on a sword, but usually it is on the kabutogane not on the fuchi.

What do you think, is it authentic?

Have you ever seen others like this?

 

[Shere Khan]

The mon should be Nakagawa Clan 

[Bugyotsuji]

https://irohakamon.com/kamon/hiiragi/kawaridakihiiragi.html

Also check out Daki Hiiragi (embracing holly leaves) as in the 市橋 Ichihashi family of the Nishoji Han.

https://ja.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/仁正寺藩

[Bruce Pennington]

I like that blade style.  There've been a couple posted on these forums like it.  Looks legit to me.  It's also got that flatter tsuba style sometimes seen on custom rigs.

[Bryce]

G'day Toni,

Mon on the fuchi are less common, but not uncommon. Here is one of mine.

In your photo it appears that a new mekugi-ana may have been recently drilled in the nakago. If this is the one being used it may indicate that this koshirae has been recently paired with this blade.

Cheers,

Bryce

 

[Shere Khan]

Thank you so much guys! You have been very helpful to me!

[PNSSHOGUN]

This has been added recently, Mon on the Fuchi are most associated with early Type 94 pattern swords. The other glaring issue is those mounts are late war with no detail and the Fuchi would be covered by a leather retaining strap....

 

Below are two authentic examples on Type 94's, like the sword Bryce posted.

[Shere Khan]

Thanks for your analysis John, that fuchi does not convince me either

[Ian B3HR2UH]

The mon is on upside down, I think, so I would be very suspicious of it . 

Ian Brooks

[ChrisW]

Do you mean wrong side or turned around? I've seen some kamon that are held in by just a single rivet on the back. So it might be possible its simply turned around.

[Bazza]

I would opine that the handle is not the original as indicated by the new mekugi ana with counter boring in the nakago.  The fit of the handle on the nakago would be a good test.

 

Apart from Ian's observation that the mon is upside down I'm troubled by the oxidative colour (= applied heat) around the mon that indicates it has been soldered in place.  Also, the fuchi surface is featureless as John observes and I feel the mon is a recent "modification" to the fuchi.  It is clear the sword originally had a press-stud leather retainer, so the fuchi would have been plain.  Further, the leather cover over the scabbard look near-new compared to the worn, neglected look of the handle as indicated by the sad looking menuki...

 

An in-hand viewing would be essential before parting with any $$$$

 

BaZZa.

[robinalexander]

Must agree with Baz

Rob

[Shere Khan]

Thank you all for your comments! I hope someday to be as experienced as you are!

[Bruce Pennington]

Here's one on a 1940 Type 98, found on auction site.

[PNSSHOGUN]

Hi Bruce, can't remember the thread but that same mon has been seen before, although molded into the Fuchi.

[MarcoUdin]

A lot of families used that symbol, it's called 引 or Hiki which means bars. As John said I recall someone posting it not to long ago on the fuchi as well.

[Bugyotsuji]

引両　(ひきりょう)　Hikiryo

 

https://www.google.com/search?q=引両(ひきりょう)&tbm=isch&ved=2ahUKEwiGy_P2g6bzAhVSyZQKHc2IDA4Q2-cCegQIABAA&oq=引両(ひきりょう)&gs_lcp=CgNpbWcQDFD5YVjowQJggdcGaAFwAHgAgAFviAG9CZIBBDEyLjKYAQCgAQGqAQtnd3Mtd2l6LWltZ8ABAQ&sclient=img&ei=3FNVYYbtFNKS0wTNkbJw&bih=625&biw=1366

[PNSSHOGUN]

Here is the thread with this Mon, note the differences between them all!