WW 2 Japanese army officer's Tassel/Knot

[fitzer]

Is this WW 2 Japanese army officer's Sword Tassel/Knot original?

Thanks for your help,

 

John

[Rich S]

blue-brown I think is company grade officers (Lt./Capt/)/

The colors are rather bright though. Hard to tell is original

or repro from pic. Style is certainly correct.

 

Rich S

[Henry Wilson]

If you can pluck a fiber from it and burn it will tell if it is real or not. If it burns like a plastic bag then it is repro as the material is plastic.

[fitzer]

Thanks fellas. Its made from silk which I believe is correct.

[Guest Simon Rowson]

Hi Fitzer,

 

Just to put your mind even more at rest, the modern, repro gunto knots have a much bigger, less rounded and looser woven tassel crown than the originals. The tassel crown is the little woven ball above each bunch of tassel cords and yours looks absolutely genuine.

 

Also, just before Xmas, I saw a totally original general's knot here in Tokyo that had colours just as bright as yours.

 

Happy New Year,

Simon

[Nobody]

FYI; See the bottom of the page below.

http://www.h4.dion.ne.jp/~t-ohmura/gunto_011.htm

[Stephen]

hey Simon was the knot for sale...if so how much. Thanks

[fitzer]

Thanks again espec. Simon. I am pretty confident the piece is original it was actually the brightness of the colours that made me skeptical. This is going to look great on my new shin gunto

[Guest Simon Rowson]

Hi Stephen,

 

The knot was attached to a mint condition gunto but the dealer (very wacky, very friendly.....insisted on showing me ALL the swords in his shop) made a point of saying how rare a general's knot was and sounded willing to sell it seperately.....at the right price!

I still have his card somewhere so, if you like, I can have my wife call him (she's Japanese and my own command of the language is limited to "big beer and medium beer please") and ask how much it is.

 

Regards,

Simon

[Guest Simon Rowson]

Hi Fitzer,

 

Glad to be of help.

 

What gunto is your knot going on? It must be a nice one if it deserves a mint knot like that.

 

The best quality gunto, in the best condition, I've ever seen belong to a friend in Japan.....a gentleman called Mr Tomoyuki Ohmura (whose site you were directed to yesterday by "Nobody").

Many of his swords and tassels look like they were made yesterday.

 

Regards,

Simon

[Stephen]

Really no need to bother, im sure he want something like 1000.00$ just curious what there going for in Nippon. Thanks for the offer.

[Guest Simon Rowson]

You've got me curious now so I might call him anyway and I'll let you know the outcome if I do.

I was actually interested myself when I first saw it but the knot is in such good condition that it would look silly on the only gunto koshirae I still own (which is very high quality but certainly shows it's been used in a world war!)

 

Simon

[fitzer]

I received the tassel today, its looks great. Now I just have to wait for the sword. Simon I'll post a pic of the ensemble when I get the sword.

[fitzer]

Sword and Knot

[Ford Hallam]

Simon,

 

I can perfectly understand the need to ask for a "big beer". in Japanese ( one of the first things I learned too :D ) but why do you need to ask for a medium one? :?

 

kampai, Ford

 

p.s. whereabouts in Tokyo are you staying?

[Guest Simon Rowson]

Wow Fitzer, that's about as mint a gunto as you're likely to find!

 

Many thanks for the photos......can you tell us a little about the blade please?

 

Ford, my wife is only little and so the "chu nama" is for her! I'll send you a PM with my exact location and also an amusing anecdote about the first time I attempted to ask for a large and medium beer!

 

Kampai,

Simon

[fitzer]

Hi Simon,

 

Thanks. It's a very nice sword. I generally collect German WW2 blades and was surprised at the size and quality of this sword. I think I'm hooked. Next on the list is a Kai Gunto, then who knows what!!

 

The blade is in beautiful condition, in full period polish retaining a very strong oil temper line, and is free from any chips, nicks or damage.

 

I have been advised that the maker mark (mei) on the blade is Ishihara Yoshisada, registered as one of Seki sword smiths for making Showa military swords on Oct. 25th, 1939.

 

Here is the link to that thread:

 

http://militaria.co.za/nihontomessagebo ... .php?t=591

 

Any additional info you may heave on the maker would be great (i.e quality level..etc.).

[Dick Tait]

How much do the various (NCO/Company/Field/General) rank sword tassel/knots cost to buy?