The Term "Ryakushiki" for Civilian-Mounted or Late-War Gunto?

[Kaigunto230]

In researching a couple swords, I've come across several sales pages recently that use the term "Ryakushiki" or "Ryaku Shiki." In context, it seems like these sales pages mean prewar Nihonto using civilian tsuka paired with additional gunto koshirae, or separately, late-war swords.

 

Presumably, the latter half of the word is easy - SHIKI (式), type, like Type 99 Arisaka, Type 97 kaigunto etc. But I’ve never seen “Ryaku” in any of the literature and most tellingly, I tried searching it here on NMB, and there’s only a couple hits as part of longer mei, back in the early 2000s.

Yet, I keep seeing it, so I figured I’d make a quick post asking if others have stumbled across and then tripped over this wording.

 

The typical AI overview slop on Google gave me: “Ryakushiki guntō (略式軍刀) is the Japanese term for the simplified, late-war version of the gunto sword, which was used by the Imperial Japanese Army. As World War II progressed and resources became scarce, the production of standard military swords was simplified to conserve metal and speed up manufacturing….. The ryakushiki guntō is often confused with other military sword types from the same period, but its distinctive simplified features are a key identifier for collectors.”

 

Some quick examples from Googling:

Ryakushiki-GUNTO 略式軍刀, WW2 Japanese Army Officer Sword | eBay

Japanese SWORD WW2 army gunto officer sword ryakushiki signed $2,000.00 - PicClick

WWII Japanese ARMY Showa 刀 Katana Ryakushiki Gunto Sword Signed 'Idohiromitsu' $1,395.00 - PicClick

https://www.instagram.com/p/C9LMmF2S2e8/?img_index=3

 

Anyone have any insight to share?

[SteveM]

I think Nick Komiya covered this term extensively over on the Warrelics site, but the search feature might be paywalled now. Anyway, ryakushiki (略式) means "simplified" or "informal". I'm not sure its an official type designation, or if it is sales talk. I don't think it is an official designation, but its out of my area of expertise.