Brown Ray Skin Army

[Michaelr]

 Hello all. I know this may be a hard question to answer without pictures but I don’t have any at this time. A fellow Japanese sword collector showed me a Koto blade mounted in type 98 Army mounts with a Beautiful BROWN Ray Skin Saya. I know that I have few details as it was in the middle of a deal but this is what I do have: Signed Koto blade, type 98 army mounts, cord Saratue, and a beautiful, minty Brown Ray Skin Saya. I have never seen a full brown, Ray skin Saya let alone mounted for the army. I have seen a Navy that the bottom 1/4 was brown Ray skin along with the other 3/4 being black Ray skin. Has anyone seen a brown ray skin army? Any details? Any opinions?  I tried searching but didn’t have much luck. Thank you in advance and sorry for no pictures. 
   MikeR

[Bruce Pennington]

Don't recall how many of these we've actually seen.  A search of the forums might reveal some.  Ohmura documents several styles, of which is yours - 3rd down, right side.  So, not common, but not unheard of.  Would have been an upgrade at increased cost.

 

The scabbard, a spring clip and a tassel for new Guntōes (ohmura-study.net)

[Michaelr]

Thank you Bruce. I wish I was able to get some pictures of the one that I was looking at as the pictures above don’t really do it justice and show its beauty. I tried doing searches here and on the web but little information was found. It would be nice to see if anyone has one that they might share. 
  MikeR

[Bruce Pennington]

Here's one, from this discussion:

[Bruce Pennington]

Another here:

[Michaelr]

Yes those both look like Shark skin to me. The one that I was looking at had the larger white nodules/ spots

[paul griff]

Hello Mike,

                  Here is one,type 98 ,custom mounts,long nakago and a lovely blade signed Tada Yoshi ( gimei )…

Regards,

              Paul..

[PNSSHOGUN]

The above photos look to be sharkskin, rather than Samegawa, or are they from different ray species? The second one is brown, many of these tend to have a reddish hue like the examples above.

 

Paul those mounts look fantastic, does it have the extended drag as well?

 

 

 

 

[Ontario_Archaeology]

I have a few....

 

And it think this is the same one John just posted 

 

[Bazza]

Decades ago I saw an Army Shinguntou with full length brown ray skin saya.  Sadly, the blade had been badly mistreated and I passed on it, though I hesitated, nearly buying it for the koshirae alone...

 

BaZZa.

[robinalexander]

  On 5/16/2024 at 4:26 AM, Bazza said:

and I passed on it

Expand  

LOL Baz .... I think I bought it 

 

But seriously, it wouldn't be the same one.  This blade is no national treasure but it's far from mistreated.

 

Samegawa saya, mumei, Type 94 fuchi, probably Showa-to, no stamps or markings on nakago ...came with (incorrect) IJN tassel (but hey, it matches )

 

Sorry MichaelR ...not Koto.

[Ontario_Archaeology]

I'm wondering if any one has an example of a bluish green saya from that ohmura chart, I don't think I've seen one in my years of looking around. It's an odd colour as it is very bright compared to the others, maybe the reason it isn't as popular 

[Michaelr]

Thank you All. Great pictures. Seems like they are out there but not too common. Great information

  MikeR

[drb 1643]

Good morning Mike, here’s some pictures of my example.

[Michaelr]

Thank you Tom. That looks exactly like the one that I saw and in that same condition. Great pictures, thank you so much. Do you have any additional information?  Have you seen any others like yours?  Yours looks beautiful. Thank you for your input and for sharing 

   MikeR

[paul griff]

Hello John,

                  Yes, the drag is extended….A lot of nice touches to this sword my photo’s do it no justice..

Regards,

               Paul..

[paul griff]