Original Item: One of a Kind. Recently purchased at a military show, this is very interesting USGI Bring-Back Japanese officer Katana in the "High Grade" 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.

While many we get are in great shape, this one actually looks to have seen quite a bit of service during the war, which has worn and oxidized the blade. More importantly, about 2/3 of the way down the blade, there is a large chip missing from the blade, which is bent in one direction. It shows spalling and other damage that would be expected from the blade having been struck by a bullet! Now we're not suggesting that someone used it to slice a bullet. Much more likely was that it was hit in the scabbard by the bullet, which damaged the scabbard and the blade, and is probably why the scabbard on this example does not exactly match the hilt, and will not fit on all the way due to the blade collar. This is a sword that definitely has a story to tell!

This blade on this example dates from the late Edo period (江戸時代, Edo jidai) or Tokugawa period (徳川時代, Tokugawa jidai) of Japanese history. This is the period between 1603 and 1867, when Japan was under the rule of the Tokugawa shogunate and the country's 300 regional daimyo. This example may have been passed down in a family, or was put back into service via official programs to put swords back into service.

This example has most likely been remounted several times, as was common for Japanese blades. Age and wear have made the file marks (yasurimi) on the tang faint, and given it a lovely patina. Chisel marks (tagane) are visible but the tagane-makura (raised area around the mei) are partly worn. The mei (signature) on the blade is however still relatively easy to read, and is marked 陸 奥 会 津 住 藤 原 道 辰 - MUTSU AIZU JU FUJIWARA MICHITOKI. This basically states that the blade was made by "Michitoki in Aizu, Mutsu province." At the time the AIZU family was very powerful, and dominated much of the province. "Fujiwara" is a title given to accomplished sword smiths. There was a lineage of Michitoki smiths, and this is most likely the 4th Generation, or possibly the 5th. They were are relatively well regarded.

The blade is also dated on the tang with: 天 保 丙 申 年, which is read TENPŌ HINOE SARU NEN, or 1836. This is in the Japanese "Zodiac" format, which is a 60 year repeating cycle involving Twelve animals and the Five elements. Hinoe means "Fire" and Saru means "Monkey", so 1836 was the year of the Monkey with the element Fire.

The blade is handmade and was expertly crafted by a sword maker, which is indicated by a few tell-tale characteristics that include:

- Hole in the tang is punched and not drilled.

- Blade is signed on the tang by the maker ("Mei")

- Blade was made during the Edo Period.

The sword has an overall length of 39 ¼ inches, with a 27 ¼ inch long blade and 29 ¼ inch long scabbard. The blade has a futsu 普通 (regular) Nakago with Haagari (asymmetrically rounded) nakago-jiri. As mentioned before, it definitely shows damage from battle as well as use in the field. This is a sword that definitely looks to have been carried for a long period of time during WWII, and then was damaged and probably taken out of action at that point. It was then found by a USGI, and brought home. We unfortunately do not know where it was found or anything further than what the item can tell us.

The fittings on this example are actually relatively high grade, indicated by the perforated TSUBA cross guard. It is otherwise a relatively standard "high grade" Type 98 Shin-Gunto that shows a good amount of wear. Everything looks to be correct, though the scabbard is almost certainly no the original one. It almost looks like a Type 94 scabbard, with smooth brown paint with a red primer.

This is definitely an interesting offering, unlike any that we have really had before. Ready to research and display!

Specifications:
Blade Length: 27 ¼"
Blade Style: Katana
Overall length: 39 ¼“
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.