Help with Gunto Kashira

[Geoff Ward]

Hello all, I was hoping to get some help with the Kanji on this Gunto Kashira. It is an interesting character But I am not sure if it would be considered a Mon per se?

Perhaps a Family name??

Any help or comments appreciated! Regards,Geoff

[ghp95134]

Family name:

土屋
Tsuchiya

—Guy

[Geoff Ward]

Thank you very much Guy! G.

[Geoff Ward]

It seems Strange to me that what I assumed was the swords owners name on the Kashira is also the smiths name?? or would the name on the nakago indicate who the sword was made for?? a sort of "Bench" or order # ???

[ghp95134]

It seems Strange to me that what I assumed was the swords owners name on the Kashira is also the smiths name?? or would the name on the nakago indicate who the sword was made for?? a sort of "Bench" or order # ???

"I'll go for "Bench Order" for $5000, Alex!"

First off, the name on the nakago is not the smith's -- it is placed too high up the nakago; maybe Mr. Tsuchiya had his name engraved later -- it does not look like the form/style of engraving we're used to seeing on a nakago.


--Guy

[Geoff Ward]

Thanks again Guy!! Dang you're quick on the Draw!! G.

[Bruce Pennington]

Wow! I've never noticed this done before! I've seen dedications/donations enscripted on the nakago, but this appears to simply be the owner's name.

Geoff, is this the only writing on the nakago? No date, or stamps?

[Geoff Ward]

Hey Bruce,Nothing else on either side of the nakago...

[Bruce Pennington]

Sounds like a custom order, then. As a minimum, he could have bought a generic gunto and then taken it to a shop to have his name engraved and mon attached. I don't know if the Officer Clubs were capable of doing something like that for a buyer, but the multiple shops that made and sold gunto & koshirae certainly could have.

Interesting!