Family Mon?

[dnmmilo]

G'day Fella's,

 

Hoping you can help, I recently purchased a gunto from a school headmaster in Wagga Wagga and he actually gave me two swords one of which is variant I have not owned before. I realise its a parade sword of some description but would really be interested in getting any other information on its type and employment that you fella's might have.

 

In addition the sword appears to have a family mon attached to the hilt backstrap. Any info on that would be much appreciated as well.

 

Cheers David

[Jiro49]

Name not kamon, Kawamoto I believe.

 

Regards,

[John A Stuart]

何本 Nanimoto. No? Maybe 河本 Kawamoto, yeah more likely that you're right. John

[dnmmilo]

Cheers Fella's, Do you know whether this type of sword had a specific designation. Additionally do you know what these, I hesitate to call them swords, parade blades were used for and by whom?

[Bugyotsuji]

'Kawamoto', yes, but many families with these same Kanji choose to read their name 'Ko-moto'.

[Geraint]

Hi David,

 

Just to close the loop from your original question,you are correct to assume that this is an Army parade sabre, usually found with a chrome plated blade with an acid etched hamon on better quality ones. Yours seems to be in nice order. The source you need is probably Ohmura's Gunto site.

 

Cheers

[dnmmilo]

Thanks Guys, I really appreciate the information. Cheers David