Brian Posted August 21 Report Posted August 21 Hi all, Just a quick one. I'll post pics in a day or 2. Recently saw a fairly average Kai Gunto at a small arms fair here. Decent condition, and as translated here a few weeks ago, by the 23rd gen Kanefusa: https://www.militaria.co.za/nmb/topic/53270-assistance-with-2-mei-please Likely halfway between Seki Showato and Gendaito, maybe better quality Showato. Anyways, what's nice is that it came with a photo of the Captain and paperwork showing he was presented it at the surrender of Japan ceremony as he was the commander of HMS Nelson. So just a bit more interesting. I traded it for a very collectible dagger I have that the dealer wanted. Asking price on the sword was about $2300....too much but as a trade it was ok. The sarrute is missing, everything else seems complete. My question (long way of asking) is was there a more prominent variation of the sarute on standard Kai Gunto (2 ashi, speckled black laquered saya) or is any of the Shin Gunto variants acceptable on these? Looking through my parts, I have a clasped hands one spare, and was wondering if that would be correct/appropriate if I was to fit it? Quote
PNSSHOGUN Posted August 21 Report Posted August 21 The below variation with cherry blossoms and leaves is quite common to find on Kai Gunto, though all variations can be found. Silk cord is quite often seen. 1 Quote
Brian Posted August 21 Author Report Posted August 21 John, Are they consistently mounted on the blade side of tsuka, since they don't swivel around to the other side? Quote
Rawa Posted August 21 Report Posted August 21 All examples as I see have them mounted on ha side. Establishment of T94/T97 should be most suitable as an argument. http://ohmura-study.net/283.html 3 Quote
When Necessary Posted August 21 Report Posted August 21 50 minutes ago, Brian said: John, Are they consistently mounted on the blade side of tsuka, since they don't swivel around to the other side? Not John, but that is logical given the way that Gunto were worn on the officer's belt. This is Ohmura-san's main example: 3 Quote
Bruce Pennington Posted August 21 Report Posted August 21 7 hours ago, Brian said: Looking through my parts, I have a clasped hands one spare, and was wondering if that would be correct/appropriate if I was to fit it? Dee got me searching Ohmura's site, and sure enough, he's got a Minatogawa with clasped hands sarute: 1 Quote
Brian Posted August 21 Author Report Posted August 21 Thank you all. I think i'll fit the clasped hands one for now, if I don't have a different one. I know the dealer bought it a few years ago on auction in the UK and brought it back to SA. So I'm good with him making some profit as I also got the dagger for a good price. Didn't take long to find the auction where it was sold: https://denhams.com/lot/718/april-2023 Some nice history. I got his photo, framed story summary and his Vice Admiral commission. Need to ask him if he still has the ship photo and medal ribbons. Captain Caslon and the HMS Nelson. Lots to be found on him online. Nice to know he was there and is well known. Must have been an interesting surrender ceremony, I guess they just pulled swords from the pile and gave them out. 3 Quote
PNSSHOGUN Posted August 22 Report Posted August 22 Brian, have you checked under the Fuchi for any writing? In regards to the Sarute position there is no particular rhyme or reason whether it sits Ha or Mune side, it was the officers preference. Quote
Brian Posted August 22 Author Report Posted August 22 John, This auction pic seems to show it best, but I have no idea what it says Quote
PNSSHOGUN Posted August 23 Report Posted August 23 Once the sword is in hand it would be a good idea to take some clear pictures of the writing, with the known location of surrender you may have a chance of identifying the IJN officer this sword belonged to. 1 Quote
Bruce Pennington Posted August 23 Report Posted August 23 Shoot, Brian, I completely forgot what was on my kaigunto with Kamakura blade - clasped hands! 4 Quote
Volker62 Posted August 24 Report Posted August 24 Sarute from Minatogawa Tachi I remember very well a so called very "nice collector"(here in Germany) who forced me to buy a Kai Gunto from the Minatogawa shrine (the earliest known date August 1941) claiming I owed him something!! The first thing, he removed with scissor's was the original textile sarute!! I was very sure,the sword had now fallen into the right hands. However, it was more important to him, to resell it quickly for a lagre profit, even though he promised, he would never do that! Its a shame that there were enough idiot's back then who thought they had knowledgeand, out of ignorance destroy irreplaceable original's without coercion. Here's another original, that thank Godness didn't fall into the hands of such idiot's 3 1 Quote
Paul G Posted September 1 Report Posted September 1 Hello, I think the clasped hands or all brass style would be appropriate, as well as the braided silk cord. What would look odd is having the brass and painted style sarute, commonly found on Type 98 Army swords. PG- Quote
Paul G Posted September 1 Report Posted September 1 Although this one is a replica, this style of painted and brass really only goes with the Army Type 98, in my opinion. 1 Quote
Brian Posted September 2 Author Report Posted September 2 This is how it ended up. Does it look correct? 1 Quote
Bruce Pennington Posted September 2 Report Posted September 2 As close as you're going to get. Obviously, the coloration of the metal is different, but I've seen gunto like that before. Heck, I owned one for a while. Quote
PNSSHOGUN Posted September 3 Report Posted September 3 Patina is a bit off but with a tassel it will look fine. Quote
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.