WOODEN TSUKA, Japanese?

[Stegel]

Came across this handle recently, what caught my eye was its Japanese appearance... it wasn't expensive so i bought it.

 

It has a Kyu Gunto appearance, yet is definitely some sort of Spartan like 'budget' build.

The only thing i know is that i bought it from a fellow in the U.K 

Assuming it was found in an arena which the  Commonwealth Forces engaged during the war, so we have India/Burma/Malaya/Borneo/Thailand etc

 

Please give me your thoughts on this piece, is it Japanese? Last ditch of some sort? or some collaborationist forces under the Japanese- so possibly island made etc

I have some very last ditch swords with this type of handle construction, they may have been supplied as either NCO issue (my belief) but also possibly for officer use because of the type of blades used.

 

I'm all ears for any ideas you might have.

Thanks!

 

[Stegel]

one more picture of the metal backstrap and retention rings

[Kiipu]

I do not recall seeing this type of handle before.  Maybe a handle for a machete?  It has the lanyard hole in the back.  What is the overall length and how long is the cutout in the wood for the tang?

 

I wonder if @Dave R would know what it is for?

[John C]

Looking at the tang recess, it doesn't seem to have the shape of a Japanese nakago (neither tapered nor screwed end).

 

John C.

[Stegel]

Here's a photo for comparison with a type 32 and a type95, can't believe i didn't do this straight away!

 

I think it may be a bit long/big for a machete, but that's an interesting thought.

It doesn't appear to be like any machete handle i have seen from the period, such as the dutch cutlass conversions done in Indonesia.

 

John, i agree with you on the nakago shape, however i think it could possibly hold an old wakizashi size blade.

[Kiipu]

It does seem to be an Asian two-handed handle for use with a sword.  Maybe some sort of Japanese or native sword hilt.  The metal tang would seem to have been about 5 inches long based upon the indentations in the wood.

[John C]

In addition, I would lean toward a sword with some sort of guard based on the taper/slant of the "fuchi."

 

John C.

[lonely panet]