Original Item: One of a Kind. Recently purchased at a military auction, this is an excellent condition USGI Bring-Back wartime production high grade Japanese officer Katana in the Type 98 Shin-Gunto (九八式軍刀 kyūhachi-shiki guntō) setting. We rarely see Type 98s in such good condition! This is how they are "supposed" to look, without wear removing the gilt accents and browned finish on the brass. There is just a bit of period wear, so it did see some service, but it was not abused at all.

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.

This blade from this example dates from the 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. When receiving the sword, we were told it was estimated to be from the late edo period / early 19th century. The blade shape (SUGATA) is typical of the SHINSHINTO era of blade making.

The tang is unsigned 無銘 (mumei), or "anonymous", however it is certainly handmade in the traditional fashion. Many excellent blades do not have a signature, and the presence (or absence) of one has no relation to how it was forged, or the quality. The tang shows overall patination, and the YASURIME (鑢目 - file marks) on the tang are faint, so we are confident on the early 19th century date.

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.

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

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

- Visible HADA (grain) in the body of the blade and lamination in the temper line.

Offered in excellent condition, the blade is still VERY sharp and looks great. There are no nicks on the edge that we can see, just some wear from the scabbard in areas, which has led to some scuffing. Overall the polish on the blade is excellent, with just a few small areas of oxidation staining, so the aspects of the blade are easily visible. Blade length is approximately 26 ¼ inches and overall length 38 ⅝ inches. The katana has a handmade blade with a Futsu 普通 (regular) Nakago (tang) with an HAAGARI (asymmetrical rounded) nakago-jiri (tang tip).

The main edge HAMON (刃文 - wave or temper line) is fully visible, and is a very attractive GUNOME-MIDARE (互の目乱れ - irregularly undulating) shape, with a lot of internal activity. Along the transition there are clear NIE crystals visible, with cloudy areas of NIOI in the body of the hamon, and there are also some areas of partial ASHI, which are lines of NIOI running towards the edge. The great polish allows the chatoyancy generated by the crystal structure to be easily seen, and it "flip flops" in the light. The body of the blade (JI) also shows HADA (肌 - grain), which is the MASAME (柾目 - Straight) pattern, typical of later EDO period blades. The blade has a proper geometric KISSAKI (切先 - point of blade) with a clear YOKOTE (横手 - line between ji and kissaki). The BOSHI ( 帽子 - tip temper line) is of the MIDARE-KOMI (乱れ込み - irregular wavy) shape, and is easily visible with a clear transition. With the long delay for traditional togishi polishing, blades like this that are ready to display are definitely in demand.

The blade mountings (KOSHIRAE) are in excellent condition, and are the classic WWII era Type 98 Army Shin-Gunto style, browned brass with gilt accents. These include a brass MOKKO GATA (木瓜形 - four-lobed quince shape) type TSUBA (cross guard), which has had a hole added for a scabbard retaining strap in one side. There are also brass Imperial Army cherry blossom menuki (grip decorations), and a nice KABUTO-GANE (Pommel Cap) withy a metal end loop. 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 Seppa (spacers) around the cross guard to keep the fit tight, though it is a bit loose. The larger of these have had the edge removed for the scabbard locking strap, which is still fully intact, and acts as another spacer around the tang. The blade collar (HABAKI) is gilt copper with a lovely "rain" pattern.

The handle (TSUKA) has an great SA-ME (Stingray Skin) grip, which is fully intact, and shows no cracking or other damage. It definitely looks to be real stingray skin, and not the synthetic celluloid version sometimes used. It has a complete dark brown ITO (cloth binding), which shows little to no wear, and holes the grip ornaments in place securely. There is a single wooden securing peg (MEKUGI) still present, which looks to be a post war fabricated replacement.

The Scabbard (SAYA) on this example is black lacquered wood, covered with a natural leather field cover with laces at the top. These are often seen on swords later in the war, as they required far less materials and production time. The leather has matured beautifully, showing some finish wear, but no major damage such as flaking, tears, and so forth. It still has intact lacing at the top, and a brass hanger loop installed under the cover. It does not look to have seen extensive use during the war, and was stored in the correct conditions. It still has the snap for attachment to the securing strap on the handle, but due to the leather shrinking a bit, it doesn't quite reach.

An incredible handmade Japanese Type 98 Shin-gunto Katana with a very attractive blade in great polish! We almost never see them this good! It combines a traditionally made, unsigned blade with a particularly well-preserved set of wartime Army mounts. This is a real USGI bring-back from WWII, which will make a compelling addition to any collection. 

Specifications:
Blade Length: 27 ¾"
Blade Style: Shinogi-Zukuri (鎬造)
Handle length: 10"
Overall length: 38 ⅝“
Scabbard Length: 29 ½"

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.