Original Item: Only One Available. Purchased recently at a large military show, this is a very nice wartime High Grade Japanese Naval officer Katana in the Pattern 1937 Kai-Gunto setting. A Kai-Guntō (海軍刀, naval sword) is a weapon and symbol of rank used by the Imperial Japanese Navy during the WWII Period. This is a great example, complete with a desirable sharkskin covered scabbard, and shows signs of light use.

The blade is in excellent condition, with an edge that is still quite sharp. There are just a few scuffs and tiny edge bends keeping it from being MINT, and it is definitely one of the better examples we have seen lately. Blade length is 25 ¼ inches and overall length 35 ⅞ inches. It has a factory forged stainless steel blade, with a single mounting hole in the standard long Futsu 普通 (regular) shaped Nakago (tang) with a Haagari (asymmetrical rounded) nakago-jiri.

The tang itself is marked a Naval ANCHOR stamp, however there is no circle around it, and the style is not the usual that we see. Research indicates that this is the anchor stamp specifically used by Tenshozan Tanrenjo. This was a small forge and shrine set up within the precincts of the Komyo-ji temple in Kamakura. It is on the Yokosuka peninsula and in the eastern part of Sagami Bay. The forge made anti-rust and stainless steel swords (kaigunto) for the Navy. The working group was quiet small so production was limited. Typically these blades have a stamp of a single ikari (anchor) on the nakago, as with these example. Fore more information please see JAPANESE NAVAL SWORDS WW 2 Swordsmiths & Workshops, compiled by Malcom E. Cox, pages 3, 81-87. Blades by this maker are definitely quite rare compared to the usual Naval Arsenal produced examples, and this may be the first example we have had.

The tang is also stamped with the characters 力 力 力 (power power power), something we have seen on items like "good luck" flags previously. There is also a paint marking on the tang, which is very faint but still legible if you know what you are looking for: 四 六 二 - 4 6 2.

The blade retains virtually all of the original factory finish and simulated straight (sugu) hamon. There are are just a few minor scratches and scuff marks on the surface. There is also a simulated yokote and boshi, and given the total absence of rust on the blade, it was definitely made with Stainless steel, which was popular for the rust-inducing ocean environment. Japanese Kai-Gunto naval officers swords are somewhat rare, given that they usually went down with the ships. This particular example has high grade fittings, which we see much more often on signed and/or handmade blades.

It has a heavy round brass tsuba (cross guard), with two plated steel Seppa (spacers) and two blacked copper plated steel O-Seppa (Large spacers) around the tsuba. These are large and highly stylized, correct for the Kai-Gunto pattern. The tsuka (handle) has two gold highlighted Cherry-Blossom menuki (grip decorations), and a nice brass Kabuto-Gane (End Cap) with a broken cord through the end. There is a single bamboo securing peg still present, which looks to be a replacement. The grip has an excellent black Stingray Skin grip (Sa-Me) under the complete brown colored Ito (cloth binding) with fine brass decorative collar (fuchi). The crossguard is a bit loose on the handle when the handle is installed, probably due to the degradation of the O-seppa.

Condition of the blade, scabbard and fittings is very good, indicating light use. There is some light oxidation and plating loss on the various metal fittings. This is particularly true on the O-Seppa, which actually have rusted through in areas, particularly the one facing the blade. This could indicate exposure to sea water. As typical of the pattern, Cherry Blossom motifs appear on many of the fittings. The handle is tight to the blade, with secure spacers and no wobble in the tsuba. The Tsuba and all of the seppa are marked withy matching number 4 6 2, which is also stamped on the end of the tsuka and on the fuchi. This is also written on the inside of the saya (scabbard), and all of this matches the marking on the tang: 四 六 二 - 4 6 2. That means that this is the original set of fittings (koshirae) for this blade, made to fit it specifically.

The Wood scabbard (saya) is wrapped in lacquered sharkskin shagreen, and has all plated brass fittings, which do show some wear and flaking of the plating. Unlike most we see, most of the fittings are still firmly in place on the scabbard, so the glue has not degraded over the years. The sharkskin covering is still in great shape, with almost all of the lacquer intact. There is no splitting along the seam, and this is definitely one of the best sharkskin covered scabbards that we have seen in some time. Both hanger rings are still present, making this a really great example of a high grade scabbard.

Really a great example of a high grade Imperial Japanese Navy Kai-Gunto, complete with its original sharkskin covered scabbard. These are getting hard to find in any condition.

Specifications:
Blade Length: 25 ¼"
Blade Style: Katana
Overall length: 35 ⅞“
Scabbard Length: 28"

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.