Original Item: One of a Kind. Recently purchased at a large military show, this is a great USGI Bring-Back Japanese Officer Wakizashi in a Shin-Gunto military setting, with a leather covered wooden scabbard. 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.

Unlike most we have seen, this example is not fitted with a Katana blade, but instead with the shorter Wakizashi (脇差) blade, a shorter type of sword used more for indoor use. Research indicates that these were specially made for the tighter quarters of Tanks and Aircraft, where every inch counts. As the blade is the "Shinogi-Zukuri" (鎬造り) shape and relatively long, some would term this an "Ō-Wakizashi".

It has been remounted at least once, indicated by the two MEKUGI-ANA (peg hole), as was common for Japanese blades. This has made the YASURIME (鑢目 - file marks) on the tang faint, and given it a lovely patina. As there is no maker name on the tang, this blade is considered 無銘 (mumei), or "anonymous". We estimate the blade was made in the late 19th or early 20th century, and remounted for WWII service.

The blade has the following period correct features, indicating it was forged in the traditional manner using folded steel made from TAMAGAHANE (玉鋼 - precious steel) smelted iron sand:
- Folded steel blade (fold lines are evident on the spine and body of the blade)
- Holes (mekugi-ana) in the tang are punched and not drilled.
- Visible temper line ("hamon") running full length of blade cutting edge.
- Blade has a proper geometric kissaki (tip).
- Body of the blade (JI) shows grain (HADA), produced by the polishing process from the layers of steel.
- Blade wounds (kizu) or lamination artifacts are present on the blade. Ware (lamination lines) are visible in several areas. Only possible on traditionally made blades.

Offered in very good condition, the blade is still EXTREMELY SHARP, so it should be handled with care. The polish is in very good condition, showing just a bit of wear some areas of light staining on the last two inches near the tip on the left side. The edge is in great shape, with just a few tiny dents / nicks that are too small to photograph. The blade aspects are all still easy to see in just about any kind of light. Definitely a lovely condition blade here! It does not look to have seen any significant use since the last polish. Blade length is approximately 17 ½ inches and overall length 28 ¼ inches. It has a FUTSU 普通 (regular) NAKAGO with a HAAGARI (asymmetrical rounded) nakago-jiri (tang tip). The blade shape is SHINOGI-ZUKURI, which is the "standard" shape for most Katana and longer wakizashi.

The main edge HAMON (刃文 - wave or temper line) is fully visible, and is a very attractive SUGUHA - 直刃 (straight) shape, with a lot of internal activity. Lamination is clearly visible throughout the hamon. Along the transition there are clear NIE crystals visible, with cloudy areas of NIOI in the body of the hamon. The body of the blade (JI) also shows HADA (肌 - grain), which is the ITAME (板目 - Wood grain) pattern. 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 Ō-MARU (大丸- large round turnback) shape, and is fully visible with a clear transition. There are also some KIZU blade wounds visible, both WARE lamination lines and FUKURE carbon pits, only possible on true handmade blades. With the long delay for traditional togishi polishing, blades like this that are ready to display are definitely in demand.

The blade mountings are a modified WWII era Type 94/98 Army Shin-Gunto style, and in this case the iron TSUBA (cross guard) is of the MARU GATA (丸形 - round shape) type. It is a bit smaller in diameter than we usually see, and is embossed with some great "cloud" patterns, bearing a single HITSU-ANA accessory slot. the FUCHI (grip collar) and KABUTO-GANE (pommel cap) are patinated iron, and are a simplified type as well. The two MENUKI in this case are not the usual cherry blossoms of the Japanese military, but instead are thick sheet copper, and in the shape of airplanes! There is a single SEPPA (spacer) around the cross guard, and the blade has a two piece brass blade collar (HABAKI), common during the late Edo and Meiji periods. The TSUKA (handle) has an nice stingray skin (Sa-Me) grip, which is fully intact. It has lovely golden brown Ito (cloth binding), which shows only light wear and staining, and is the typical wrap and color used during WWII. There is a single wooden securing peg (mekugi) still present, however it is a most likely a replacement. 

The SAYA (scabbard) is steel, and looks to be from a Russo-Japanese style KYU-GUNTO. It is the typical European style, and has a single hanger ring on a bolster. It is coated with a thick almost tar-like black lacquer, which was not applied evenly, but would definitely protect it from the elements. There is a tassel of some sorts attached to the scabbard, but it is not a type we are familiar with.

A fantastic Japanese WWII Pilot's WAKIZASHI short sword, with a great handmade blade! This is a real USGI bring-back from WWII, ready to research and display!

Specifications :-
Blade Length: 19 ¼"
Blade Shape: Shinogi-Zukuri (鎬造)
Handle Length: 8 ½”
Overall length: 28 ¼“
Scabbard Length: 24"

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.