Item:
ON4381

Original WWII Japanese Army Officer Shin-Gunto Katana Samurai Sword by KANEMUNE with Steel Scabbard - dated 1943

Item Description

Original Item: Only One Available. Purchased from a collector, this is an nice condition katana with a steel army scabbard. The blade is handmade and expertly crafted by a master sword maker due to a few tell tale characteristics that include:

- Single-hole tang.

- Tang is signed by the maker on both sides (mei).

- Hole in the tang is punch and not drilled.

- Folded steel blade (fold lines are evident on the spine and body of blade)

- Visible temper line ("hamon").

- Clear grain (hada) on the blade, with lamination lines visible.

Offered in very good condition with some areas of light staining, it is still sharp and has a few small chips on the edge. The tip of the blade does have a very small chip. Overall the polish on the blade is good, with just a bit of staining from oxidation in places. Blade length is approximately 26 inches and overall length 37 inches. Handmade blade with double signed semi round tang. Temper line (hamon) is visible, and is of the straight type. Grain on blade is visible, along with some blade inclusions typically seen in handmade blades.

One side of the tang bears the makers name: 兼 宗, or KANEMUNE. This smith is listed in the Seki Tanrensho Booklet printed in 1939. Their real name was 福本 小市 - Fukumoto Koichi, and they sometimes signed blades "Fukumoto Kanemune". The other side is dated 昭 和 十 八 年 十 月 (Showa Era 18th Year 10th Month) for October of 1943.

The blade mountings are the classic WW2 era Army style. Round tsuba (cross guard) with brass Imperial Army cherry blossom menuki (grip decoration), and a nice Kabuto-Gane (Pommel Cap), one bamboo securing peg still present. The cross guard and pommel cap have matching cherry blossom motifs, which are also found on the scabbard fittings. There are 5 Seppa (spacers) around the cross guard to keep the fit tight. These are inleted for the scabbard lock. Excellent stingray Sa-Me (grip) with complete Ito (cloth binding), though the cloth is slightly stained from use.  Also some of the wood of the handle is missing, over the retaining spring for the scabbard lock. The Scabbard (saya) is steel and in very nice condition, with most of the original paint. It matches and locks into the hilt. Overall a great display piece with a lot of history and totally correct.

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 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.

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