Original Item: One of a Kind. Recently purchased at a military auction, this is an very good 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. It features an excellent condition handmade blade, and is fitted with a high-end aluminum scabbard, not the usual steel. It does show wear to the fittings, but overall is a solid example of its type.

The Type 98 fittings (koshirae) are slightly simplified compared to the earlier Type 94. The blade 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.

The blade on this example was hand forged in the traditional manner, and the tang of the blade is signed (Mei) with the characters 濃 刕 住 大 澤 兼 久 作 - NOSHU JU OSAWA KANEHISA SAKU, or "OSAWA KANEHISA made this in Mino Province (Noshu)." Research indicates that this smith's real name was 大沢 勘一 (Osawa Kanichi), so in this case "Osawa" was their family name, and "Kanehisa" their "swordsmith name." We have seen many other smiths sign their swords in this fashion. Their name appears in the Seki Tanrensho Booklet printed in 1939, and there is also their KOKUIN personal seal under the signature, which reads 兼 久 (KANEHISA). We have confirmed the signature (Oshigata) with other examples of his work.

Kanehisa was active during the Showa Period and worked at Seki arsenal in Gifu, Mino Province (美濃国), and is stamped 関 (SEKI) on the tang. They look to have made both arsenal forged and traditional blades. We have confirmed the signature (Oshigata) with other examples of his work. In 1942, Kurihara Hikosaburo ranked about 400 Showa Era smiths, and graded them into 7 different levels with 1 being the highest. Kanehisa is rated at level 7, 下作 (GE SAKU or Lower Work) = 良工の列 (Ryoko no Retsu or Good work). Blades by this smith are definitely better than most Seki arsenal smiths, most of whom were not even rated.

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:

- 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 quite sharp and looks great. There are no nicks on the edge that we can see, just some minor bending towards the tip and a bit of roughness in areas, which does not show up in photographs. 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 25 ¼ inches and overall length 36 ¾ inches. The katana has a handmade blade with a FUTSU 普通 (regular) NAKAGO (tang) with an HAAGARI (刃上がり- asymmetrical rounded) nakago-jiri (tang tip).

The main edge HAMON (刃文 - wave or temper line) is fully visible, and is a very attractive YAHAZU MIDARE (矢筈乱れ - irregular arrow notch shaped) shape, with a lot of internal activity. Along the transition there are clear NIE (沸え) crystals visible, with cloudy areas of NIOI (匂い) in the body of the hamon, and there are also some areas of partial ASHI (足 - legs), 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 late SHOWA 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 Ō-MARU (大丸 - large round turnback) 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 very good 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 is the high grade "pierced" style". There are also plated copper Imperial Army cherry blossom MENUKI (grip decorations), and a nice KABUTO-GANE (Pommel Cap) with a decorated 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. Matching number • 4 5 5 is stamped on the Tsuba and inner two Seppa, and all are inlet for a scabbard lock, which is present and functional. The blade collar (HABAKI) is gilt copper with a lovely texture.

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 golden brown ITO (cloth binding), which shows staining and worked in dirt and oils on the upper portion closer to the tsuba. It holds the two menuki in place well, and 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 lightweight aluminum over wood and is in very good condition, with almost all of the original lightly textured brown paint intact. Aluminum scabbards are usually only seen on more expensive sets of fittings, so this was most likely owned by a person with a wealthy family. There are some areas where the paint has been scratched off by service wear, but there are not any major areas of oxidation. 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 holds securely. We did not see any dents or other major damage to the scabbard.

This Japanese WWII Type 98 Shin-Gunto combines a traditionally made blade signed by Osawa Kanehisa with a well-preserved set of wartime Army mounts and an uncommon aluminum scabbard. The blade remains in particularly strong condition, with a clearly visible hamon, hada, boshi, and geometric yokote, while only minor oxidation staining, slight roughness, and a small amount of bending near the tip are noted. The Type 98 fittings retain their cherry-blossom decoration, functional scabbard lock, and matching number 455 on the tsuba and inner seppa, while the stingray-skin grip and ito remain substantially intact despite expected staining and wear. The lightweight aluminum scabbard retains most of its textured brown finish and shows no major dents or structural damage. Overall, it is a cohesive and well-preserved example distinguished by its signed handmade blade, strong surviving polish, matched fittings, and higher-grade aluminum scabbard..

Specifications:
Blade Length: 25 ¼"
Blade Style: Shinogi-Zukuri (鎬造)
Handle length: 10 ⅜"
Overall length: 36 ¾“
Scabbard Length: 29"

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.