Kyu Gunto dress parade sword questions

[Obal7]

Thanks Tony, for all of the info. A wealth of Knowledge.
Thanks to all.

[Bruce Pennington]

The guys are correct, you have a sword for a Taiwan Hanin-class administrator. The emblem on the end of the handle is a sakura (cherry blossom) not a mum. The sakura was a standard marking on all military and gunzoku swords. Gunzoku were the civil branch of the Japanese military. Their rank structure was:

1. Younin (傭人) were hired laborers. For instance, barbers and laundry workers were such civilians.

2. Ko-in (雇員) hired admin helpers for the office (treated as equivalent of a Lance Corporal) .

3. Hanin-kan (判任官), who were civilian equivalents of NCOs, carrying out legal, accounting, machine maintenance and other duties.

4. Koutou-kan (高等官), who comprised the officer class equivalents from lieutenant to general. Such people included teachers of non-military subjects in military schools, interpreters, legal specialists, etc.

So, your sword was carried by the civil equivelant of an NCO.

Pages 342, 343 from Dawson's book:

[Obal7]

Right on the money! Great job. Thanks.