Mon in unusual locations

[Bruce Pennington]

Rather than a mon, I believe this to be, probably, a Chosen (Korea) Sonin-level official sword.  Confusing, though, because it seems from the side view, that there is a 10-petal sakura on the backstrap.  Do you have photos of the handguard pattern, and a straight shot of the backstrap?  Dawson shows the Chosen swords on page 346-8.  Navy Admiral swords can have the kiri, too, but their floral patterns are different than this (page 264).

[Bridges]

I looked but couldn’t manage to find the post Bruce, but upon review I believe you’re right. 

[Bruce Pennington]

Now that we're off-the-reservation, does anyone know if the Chinese used mon?  This is the head of the metal mekugi on a Chinese National Type 19:

[Bridges]

That’s an interesting piece. General type 19 copy? Bruce, that mon almost looks like an army cherry blossom. This isn’t a colony type 19 is it?
 

[Ontario_Archaeology]

4 hours ago, Bruce Pennington said:

Now that we're off-the-reservation, does anyone know if the Chinese used mon?  This is the head of the metal mekugi on a Chinese National Type 19:

I made a thread about this sword when it first came to auction a few months ago. The mon belongs to the beiyang army. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beiyang_Army

 

When the Japanese occupied the area they reused the symbolism to validate their occupation. Here is the link to the previous thread

 

 

 

[Kiipu]

There are some booklets by Jan Culbertson about these Chinese swords for those interested.

CHINESE SWORDS, Vol. II, Beiyang/Republican & Warlord

[PNSSHOGUN]

A very unique Koshirae featuring Mon placed on the Saya, similar to @Ian B3HR2UH's example. There is a Suya Shoten stamp on the Tsuba.

 

https://page.auction.../auction/d1095902258

 

[PNSSHOGUN]

While not in an unusual location, this Mon appears to be made from copper(?) rather than the usual silver. The good mounts are otherwise more or less unremarkable.

 

Ebay link

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Bruce Pennington]

John,

Whatever it's made of, John, wouldn't you say it was painted the same color as the kabutogane?  But even that is unusual.

[PNSSHOGUN]

A Type 3 positively overflowing with Mon, this just about takes the cake for most Mon on a Gunto.

 

 

 

[The Blacksmith]

Unfortunately, I do not have any pictures of it, but many years back I had a nice type 98 Shin-Gunto, made by Asano Kanezane, with the silver mon of the Sakai family on the kabuto gane. The sword also had its leather combat cover on the saya, and this had the Sakai mon neatly tooled into the leather between the ashi and the koiguchi,and coloured red.

I had a couple of swords by Kanezane, and this one I think was not actually by him, but made by a member of his workshop and bore his name. I believe that was not unusual with kanezane's workshop.

 

Great thread, and thank you for all who have contributed. It has been a fascinating read!

[PNSSHOGUN]

Mon on the release button of a field grade Type 19, pity about the blade.....

 

https://www.ebay.com...2:g:0gsAAOSwmuZmaIC0

 

 

[Conway S]

Here is another example of a mon on the fuchi. This time located on the opposite side of the chuso release. This zohei-to also has a pinned kabutogane and the thicker pierced tsuba. 

 

WW2 Japanese ARMY OFFICERS SWORD & SCABBARD MATCHING NUMBERED MOUNTS & MON

 

[Bruce Pennington]

We've seen mon on fuchi already, but I had to add this one.  A kikusui on a Type 98:

[PNSSHOGUN]

That looks more like a Type 94. 

[Bruce Pennington]

4 minutes ago, PNSSHOGUN said:

That looks more like a Type 94. 

Here's the only shots I saved, John:

[PNSSHOGUN]

One that appeared recently from Japan, usually the second Mon appears on a Menuki: 

 

 

[PNSSHOGUN]

A curious example on a Fujiwara Kanenaga sword where a Mon has been engraved on the blade, authenticity unknown: 

 

[PNSSHOGUN]

Navy Kyu Gunto Koshirae with Mon on the screw type Mekugi, typically seen on Naval Dirks:

 

[Smee78]

I really enjoy this thread, so many interesting mon out there to see.

 

Keep the pictures coming everyone.

[Conway S]

Here’s another mon on the fuchi. Also has an oversized sakura chuso and the kabutogane is separate from the sarute hole. 

 

For sale here from St. Croix Blades:

 

Old WW2 Japanese Sword -Army COLONEL! -Antique Samurai Collection SHINTO