Shin-Gunto Tsukaito Colors

[angus]

This is likely a newb question but can anyone here tell me the uses of different colored Ito

And if they were relevant to certain ranks in the IJA ?

I have seen numerous brown and an almost golden colored and an occasional black.

Have Often wondered what the choices were and whom could choose or if it were an option based on rank. Or for instance if the colors were for different units inside separate branches.

This may have been asked already however after a search I didn't see a thread on this subject

It is however possible that I have overlooked a thread on this subject.

 

Many thanks,

Kris

[PNSSHOGUN]

The only main differences are between Shin and Kai Gunto. Otherwise they are all within a spectrum of brown-green, with exceptions often seen for Imperial Gift or special order swords.

 

Beyond that it was really a matter of what the sword shop was making or what the customer ordered. On the higher end of Gunto fittings you will see higher grade silk Ito but tassels were the official mark of rank. 

[Bruce Pennington]

To expand on John's post, Army ito was "almost" always brown, but there are some examples of blue and even green ito. Navy is almost always black, but Ohmura's site shows one with purple ito. And like John said, this had nothing to do with rank, it was simply a personalized customization for the officer making the purchase.

 

There is an unusual combo, where a naval officer is working jointly on land with army, and you will see the army brown ito on a navy gunto (there are actual period pictures of this).

[Shamsy]

To expand on John's post, Army ito was "almost" always brown, but there are some examples of blue and even green ito.

 

Yep, I have seen a sky blue ito wrap on a pattern 8 NCO. I suppose it could have be a shade/colour similar to blue, since I have one of the many forms of colour blindness. But it certainly was not green, brown or black. It was bright!

 

And predicting the next responses, no, I did not save a picture (regrettably), nor do I believe it was a replacement post war.

 

[lonely panet]

if were thinking of the same sword, the type 8 is a early D-Guard that never had ito

[Shamsy]

Pattern 8 Type 95 NCO to be a little more specific. Not Type 8 which as you say is unbound.

[angus]

Thank you all for taking the time to answer.

I recall seeing a type 98 with black Ito and haven't seen many more since then

It would be cool to see photos of an actual sword shop in Japan circa 1940-1944.

Often wondered how the pricing structure for average type 98 vs elaborate upgrades for the same sword was at that time.

I don't own a copy of Dawsons book but will likely track down a copy.

 

Thanks again

[Ian B3HR2UH]

Bruce , unless I am colour blind every naval sword that I have ever handled has a chocolate brown ito . I don't recall ever seeing one that was black !

Ian Brooks

[Bruce Pennington]

Bruce , unless I am colour blind every naval sword that I have ever handled has a chocolate brown ito . I don't recall ever seeing one that was black !

Ian Brooks

Dang Ian, you’re right! I had the same’ in mind when I wrote that.