Original Item: One of a Kind. Recently purchased from a private collection, this is lovely condition USGI Bring-Back wartime production Japanese officer Katana in the Type 98 Shin-Gunto (九八式軍刀 kyūhachi-shiki guntō) setting. The Type 98 fittings (koshirae) are slightly simplified compared to the earlier Type 94. The blade tang is signed by the maker, and appears to be handmade in the traditional fashion. A Shin-Guntō (新軍刀, new military sword) is a weapon and symbol of rank used by the Imperial Japanese Army between the years of 1935 and 1945.

The blade on this example looks to have been arsenal forged, and the tang of the blade is signed (Mei) with the characters 信 光, which is read as NOBU MITSU. There are two smiths under this name listed at Seki arsenal, however one is very highly ranked, and only made traditional blades. This sword was made by the one with the real name 佐光 信一, or Sako Shinichi. They made both traditionally made and arsenal forged blades, and used several different signatures. The short two character signature was standard for arsenal forged Shin-gunto. They were active during the Showa Period and worked at Seki arsenal in Gifu, Mino Province (美濃国), who stamped the blade with a partial arsenal proof 岐 (Gifu) inside a cherry blossom, above the top peg hole.

The other side of the tang bears the date when the blade was produced, in the standard long form indicating years into the current emperor's reign: 昭 和 十 九 年 二 月. This would be read: SHOWA (current reigning emperor) Juu-Kyu Nen (19th year of reign - 1944) Ni-Gatsu (2nd Month - February).

Offered in very good condition, the blade is still quite sharp and looks great. It shows some scuffing and staining scattered overall, as well as some swirl marks in areas from cleaning the blade. Aspects of the blade are relatively easy to see in the light. This definitely looks like a blade that saw some real service during the war. Overall the polish on the blade is relatively good, was a standard polish, with a burnished mune (spine) and shinogi-ji (blade flat above the ridge) while the JI has a bit of a matte character, as is correct. Blade length is approximately 26 inches and overall length 37 ⅛ inches. The katana has an arsenal forged blade with a Futsu 普通 (regular) Nakago (tang) with an Iriyamagata (asymmetrical pointed) nakago-jiri (tang tip).

The blade has a proper kissaki (tip) with a clear yokote (division between body and tip) and boshi (tip temper line) which is the Ō-MARU (大丸 - large round turnback) shape. The main edge Temper line (HAMON - 刃文) is fully visible, and is a very attractive SUGUHA (直刃 -straight) shape, which is most likely from oil tempering. This is standard for arsenal forged blades.

The blade mountings are the classic WWII era Type 98 Army Shin-Gunto style, brass with gilt accents, which have mostly worn away. It has the typical rounded brass "quince" (mokko gata) shaped tsuba (cross guard) with brass Imperial Army cherry blossom menuki (grip decoration), and a nice Kabuto-Gane (Pommel Cap). The cross guard and pommel cap have matching cherry blossom motifs, which are also found on the scabbard fittings, and the fuchi (grip collar). There are four metal seppa (spacers) around the tsuba to keep the fit tight. All are inlet for the scabbard lock, which is is complete but the scabbard throat is too worn for it to catch on. The blade collar (habaki) looks to be the standard plated brass alloy.

The handle (tsuka) has an very nice Sa-Me (Stingray Skin) grip, which is fully intact, and probably made from celluloid or a similar plastic. It has a complete golden brown Ito (cloth binding), which shows wear and staining from use in the field. There is a single wooden securing peg (mekugi) still present, which is definitely a display replacement. There is no loop on the end of the handle, which were sometimes left off late in the war, or were just a piece of cord that would tear off.

The Scabbard (saya) is steel over wood, and is in good condition, showing some damage to the steel body. This is particularly evident near the SAYAJIRI end fitting, where there are large dents on both sides of the scabbard, which do not interfere with sheathing the blade. The olive brown paint is relatively well retained, showing wear from service, which has allowed the steel of the scabbard to oxidize. It has the correct single hanger loop of the Type 98 style, though that fitting has lost most of the original finish due to handling wear. The top fitting is inlet for the scabbard lock on the hilt, however it no longer attaches due to wear.

A very nice Japanese Type 98 Shin-gunto by a known maker, showing some great period wear. This is a real USGI bring-back from WWII, ready to display and cherish!

Specifications:
Blade Length: 26”
Blade Style: Shinogi-Zukuri Katana
Overall length: 37 ⅛“
Scabbard Length: 29 ¼”

It has been over one thousand years ago that the art of making swords appeared in Japan. The swordsmiths of the time may not have known it but they were creating a legendary sword. The Samurai sword has seen combat in many battlefields. From the early days of the Samurai warrior to the fierce battles in the South Pacific during WWII.

Each hand-made Samurai sword is unique because it is forged from folded steel stock. A tremendous amount of work is dedicated to creating these pieces. They were an instrument of war as much as a beautiful artifact to adorn a room.

The Samurai sword has grown to be one of the most highly desired military antiques.