Mystery Tassel of Unknown Origin

[robinalexander]

Hello all, 

Just wondering if anyone can shed some light this tassel.  Came as part of a job lot but despite my best efforts and references, I have not been able to work out if its real or fake or what type of sword it may attach to.

 

It came from a legitimate (passed) gunto collector and no reason to believe it is fake or even that it may have come from a country other than Japan.

 

Seems to have previously been attached to a sarute judging by the discoloration, stiffness and shape at the end of the tassel.

 

Any information or ideas would be welcome.

Thanks

Rob

[robinalexander]

Oh well ...tks for looking...seems like this particular 'tassel' remains a mystery.

Rob

[PNSSHOGUN]

Unfortunately I haven't come across anything that matches this on an original sword so far, but it looks the part and does appear to have been tied to a Sarute for some time. My best guess is a colonial tassel or something repurposed from a sword bag/armour. The small ball slider is very similar to the rare retaining cord used on Kai Gunto.

[PNSSHOGUN]

Thinking more on this it may be from a Jitte or Edo period truncheon used by police, they often had lanyards/tassels attached.