Unknown Gunto?

[Ratill]

Hi,

I am new to the forum and have what appears to be a Japanese gunto of some sort (although it could be a Japanese influenced blade from somewhere else in south east Asia). The nakago certainly doesn't look Japanese and may have been modified. The yokote isn't a sharp line but rather a "soft taper" and the blade has no shinogi. It doesn't appear that the blade in question is anything special but, on the other hand, it doesn't appear to be a recent, cheaply made replica. Because it doesn't match any of the gunto patterns I've ever seen (I have Fuller's Military Swords of Japan and Japanese Military and Civil Swords and Dirks), I'm curious about it. Aside from the habaki, the only other item of dress is the sheath which appears to be Philippine made from two pieces of mahogany held together with rattan bindings and a wooden peg at the bottom. I have shown the piece to various dealers and collectors but have gotten no positive ID and would really appreciate any help this forum could give me. The specs for the blade and habaki are as follows.

Blade:

26" from tip to mune machi,

1 1/4" wide from the mune machi to the ha machi,

1" wide at the yokote,

1/4" shinogi-ji (the blade is slightly hollow ground

from the shinogi-ji to the ha),

Ihori mune,

7/8" torii sori

Hamon:

Notare (very long waves about 1/8" to 1/4" high to

3/8" high by the yokote and tapering down to

nothing 7" from the ha machi), Omaru

Habaki:

1 1/16" wide, brass

Nakago:

6 3/4" long

7/8" wide by the habaki, 1/4" wide at tip,

No stamp, signature or yasurimi

Mekugi Ana

4 1/4" from nakago tip

 

Sincerely,

R Tillman

[Brian]

It isn't any known ethnographic weapon.

I think that it's just a sword made in the style of a Japanese sword by some tribal blacksmith after having seen a Japanese sword briefly. Not much other info you are ever going to get on it I'm afraid, it is purely a fantasy pattern.

 

Brian

[John A Stuart]

Yes, not Nihonto, however, it may be a native copy of one. It was from the Phillipines?? If so, there was a Japanese presence there for many centuries and that could account for the simulation. John

[David Flynn]

Many swords like this were produced in Inonesia, particularly, Java.

[Ratill]

Brian, John, David,

Thanks for your responses. I rather figured that the blade was most probably Philippine, Thai, or Indonesian but because I know very little about Nihonto I couldn't rule out a factory made gunto (the quality doesn't appear to be good enough for a traditionally made Japanese blade). Now that you have dealt with the gunto possibility I can concentrate on the other likely origins. I'll be looking for similar shaped blades that have a hamon so, if anyone comes across one, I'd really appreciate an email about it. I am really happy to have found this sight and will be reading the posts so that I can improve my Nihonto knowledge.

Sincerely,

R Tillman