Light Weight Shingunto

[Geoff Ward]

I had a little time so I thought I would post a photo to illustrate the difference in size between a full sized Army Gunto seppa and one for the lightweight version.I am still hoping a period photo of the lightweight version will pop up! Regards,Geoff

[BOB COLEMAN]

It was not unusual for older officers to have a lighter weight dress katana and a standard combat one. Many years ago, I bought a pair of swords in type 98 mounts from a veteran. He had been given them by a Japanese Army colonel he had befriended. As he had to give them up, he wanted them to go to a friend. They were both Shinto that had the same title of Omi no Kami but the katana and wakizashi were made by different unrelated smiths. They evidently had been a remounted daisho. The wakizashi had a light weight lacquered wood saya and the katana was in a standard steel saya with leather field cover. Both swords jad the owner's mon and field grade tassels. this was a case where the colonel was likely from the samurai class and the blades had been family swords. The lightweight sword that began this thread is very interesting and seldom encountered. I can only recall having seen one of these in the past.

[Geoff Ward]

Thank you Mr.Coleman.I appreciate your comments on the piece.I was just wondering if the Japanese people were intrigued by the European thoughts of a "Court Sword" and perhaps trying in a "Diplomatic" effort to produce a more "Delicate and Diplomatic" type of sword?? perhaps for the purposes of being on a more level plane for negotiations? V.S. Hostility?? I would appreciate your thoughts,Regards, Geoff