Original Item: One of a Kind. Recently purchased from a private collector, this is a fantastic excellent condition USGI Bring-Back Japanese officer Katana in the Type 98 Shin-Gunto (九八式軍刀 kyūhachi-shiki guntō) setting. 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 Type 98 pattern of fittings (koshirae) are slightly simplified compared to the earlier Type 94. The blade tang on this great example is signed by the maker, and was handmade in the traditional fashion in the Early 16th century! Even better, the name on the blade is very highly regarded in Japanese swordmaking history!

We rarely get Shin-gunto in such great condition. This is how they are "supposed" to look, with the gilt accents and browned finish on the brass. It also has a lightly worn red and brown Officer's Tassel, which indicates a "Field Grade" officer, which in the Imperial Japanese army were the 陸軍少佐 (Rikugun-Shōsa or Major), 陸軍中佐 (Rikugun-Chūsa or Lt. Col.), and 陸軍大佐 (Rikugun-Taisa or Colonel). The higher grade fittings and old blade definitely indicate this was for an officer of some importance, and possibly a samurai lineage.

We had this sword examined independently, and we believe this example dates from the Muromachi period (室町時代 Muromachi jidai) of 1336 to 1573, during the later circa 1550. This is part of the period of Japanese swordmaking known as Kotō (古刀"old swords"), the the type of swords that later smiths treated as the goal they needed to achieve.

It was a common practice for swords to be passed down for generations, particularly ones that were of high quality. These would be re-polished and re-fit numerous times, as steel was precious and swords were expensive. This continued up into WWII, which is how this blade found it's way into standard WWII "Shin-Gunto" fittings, with a locking scabbard. There also was an official Japanese program during the war for families with no sons to donate their swords towards the war effort.

The blade on this example was hand forged, and the tang of the blade is signed (Mei) with the characters 兼 氏, read as KANEUJI. This is a name of special importance among the swordsmiths in Mino province, as this was also the name of one of the the JUTTETSU, the "ten great students" of Japanese GREATEST swordsmith, MASAMUNE (正宗). Together with another of the JUTTETSU, KINJUU (金重), he founded the MINO school, and several times members of this school have taken this as their swordsmith name. Research indicates that there was a KANEUJI smith active 1492-1532 in Mino province, and the condition of this blade indicates that it is from that approximate era. Definitely lots of research potential here!

This is a very old blade, which has certainly been remounted several times, as was common for Japanese blades. This has made the file marks (yasurime) on the tang somewhat faint, and is also why there are two holes in the tang. It has a lovely patina, only present on blades that are hundreds of years old. This has however also made the mei, or signature on the blade harder to read, and made the tagane (chisel marks) and tagane-makura (raised area around the mei) faint. The edges of the tang also show chips and dents from fitting and oxidation.

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

- Holes in the tang are punched and not drilled.

- Visible vibrant temper line ("hamon") with crystallization visible (Nie and Nioi)

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

- Blade shows hada, or "grain", only possible with laminated steel.

- Blade has kizu, or "wounds" in areas, only possible with laminated steel.

- Blade has a geometric Yokote at the tip (kissaki) with a clear Boshi (tip temper line)

Offered in excellent condition, the blade is still quite sharp and looks great. There are just a few small nicks on the edge of the blade, particularly near the tip. The polish is still very good, with some scattered light staining, and the hamon is still fully visible. The polish does not show any use of uchiko powder to clean the blade, so the aspects of the blade are still crisp and sharp. Blade length is approximately 27 inches and overall length of 37 3/4 inches.The katana has a handmade blade with a FUNAGATANA NAKAGO (舟形中心 - "ship bottom" shaped tang) with a KURIJIRI (栗尻 - rounded) NAKAGO-JIRI (tang tip). This is a somewhat less common tang shape, used more often in the earlier periods.

The HAMON (刃文) temper line is easily visible, and is a very attractive and active GUNOME MIDARE (互の目乱れ - irregularly undulating) zig zag style, which is iridescent and shimmers in the light. Along the transition there are clear NIE crystals visible, with cloudy areas of NIOI in the body of the hamon. There is also a lot of internal activity, including ASHI, which are lines of NIOI going towards the edge. There are also some SUNAGASHI and KINSUJI streaks within and above the hamon, something we rarely see except on exceptional blades.

The tip temper line (boshi) is still fully visible, and is the KOMARU (small turnback) type. The yokote is is still clear, and the blade has a proper geometric kissaki (tip). It is however very long, measuring 2 5/8 inches long, quite long compared to the katana blades we usually see. The body of the blade shows HADA (grain), which is the MASAME (straight) type. This is really a great blade, with lots of aspects to enjoy. With the long delay for traditional togishi polishing, blades like this that are ready to display are definitely in demand.

The blade mountings are the classic WWII era Type 98 Army Shin-Gunto style, browned brass with gilt accents, which in fantastic condition, showing almost no wear. It has the typical rounded "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 4 brass Seppa (spacers) around the cross guard to keep the fit tight, and all are inlet for the scabbard lock, which is still intact and fully functional. The blade collar (habaki) is gilt copper, and is the standard shape used on WWII production fittings. It is marked with Laundry number W-1819, very common on USGI bring back items, giving it some great research potential!

The handle (tsuka) has a great stingray skin (Sa-Me) grip, with the correct brown Ito (cloth binding). The wrapping shows only light use use, with a little wear and some sweat and oil staining in areas as shown. There is a single wooden securing peg (mekugi) still present, which looks to be a post war replacement. The end of the tsuka has a brass loop installed, with the Field Grade officer tassel still attached, and in very good lightly worn condition.

The Scabbard (saya) is steel over wood, and in excellent condition, with almost all of the original lightly textured paint intact. There are just a few scrapes preventing it from being "MINT". The fittings still have their correct brown finish with gilt highlights, with no movement. It has the correct single hanger loop of the Type 98 style, and the top fitting is inlet for the scabbard lock on the hilt, which is fully functional.

The tsuba, fuchi, and all four seppa are marked with matching number P 3 1 3, which matches the P 三 一 三 (P 313) marked on the end of the tsuka. That means these fittings were made for this particular blade, and have not has any parts swapped out over the years. The inside of the saya throat is worn, so we are not able to make out any markings, but it matches the shape of the blade, so it is almost certainly original.

A fantastic Japanese Type 98 Shin-gunto with an ancient 16th Century blade by a very famous maker, complete with a Field Grade officer tassel. This is really one of the best condition examples that we have ever had! This is a real USGI bring-back from WWII, ready to display and cherish!

Specifications:
Blade Length: 27"
Blade Style: Katana
Overall length: 37 3/4“
Scabbard Length: 29 1/2"

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.