Original Item: One of a Kind. Recently purchased at a large military show, this is lovely condition USGI Bring-Back wartime production Japanese officer Katana in the Type 98 Shin-Gunto (九八式軍刀 kyūhachi-shiki guntō) setting. 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 have been hand forged in the traditional manner. 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. It also has a very nice company grade rank tassel attached to the pommel.

The blade on this example looks to have been hand forged from TAMAHAGANE steel, and the tang of the blade is signed (Mei) with the characters 石 原 義 定 作, which is read ISHIHARA YOSHISADA SAKU, or "MADE BY ISHIHARA YOSHISADA". Research indicates that this smith's real name was 石原 錠一 (Ishihara Jō´ichi), so in this case "Ishihara" was their family name, and "Yoshisada" their "swordsmith name." We have checked their signature against known examples (OSHIGATA), and it is a match. Their name appears in the Seki Tanrensho Booklet printed in 1939. Nagamitsu was active during the Showa Period and worked at Seki arsenal in Gifu, Mino Province (美濃国), and the blade bears the 関 Seki Arsenal Stamp on the tang. Yoshisada was born August 16, Meiji 32 (1899), and was registered as a Seki smith on October 25, Showa 14 (1939) (age 40). Known mei used include: “Seki ju Ishi hara Yoshisada saku”, “Seki ju Ishihara Yoshisada saku”, “Yoshisada” “1942”, and others.

The YASURIME (鑢目 - file marks) on the tang are still easily visible, and it has a lovely lightly oxidized patina. The TAGANE-MAKURA (raised area around the mei) present, and the TAGANE (chisel marks) are strong, and the MEI signature is easy to read, as we would expect on a Showa era blade.

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

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

- 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 very good condition, the blade is still VERY sharp and should be handled with care. There are no nicks or major dents on the edge we can see, just some wear from the scabbard. There is a small dent at the very tip, as well as another about an inch below that, both of which are smaller than 1mm. The polish on the blade is in very good condition, showing some overall past oxidation, though the tip area has some more advanced staining, probably from contact with the scabbard. We can see signs of past cleaning with uchiko powder, made from dust of the finest polishing stones, which has cleaned away oxidation but also made the blade aspects harder to see. Blade length is approximately 24 inches and overall length 36 inches. The katana has a handmade blade with a Futsu 普通 (regular) Nakago (tang) with an Haagari (asymmetrically rounded) nakago-jiri (tang tip).

The main edge HAMON (刃文 - temper line) is fully visible, and looks to be a very attractive GUNOME-MIDARE (互の目乱れ - irregularly undulating) shape, somewhat like a saw edge. Along the transition there are clear NIE crystals visible, with cloudy areas of NIOI in the body of the hamon, and some nice activity. The body of the blade (JI) also shows faint HADA (肌 - grain), which is the MASAME (柾目 - straight) pattern, very fine and tight, typical of Showa era blades. The blade has a proper geometric KISSAKI (切先 - point of blade) with a faint YOKOTE (横手 - line between ji and kissaki). The BOSHI ( 帽子 - tip temper line) is of the KO-MARU (小丸 - small round turnback) shape, and is mostly 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 are the classic WWII era Type 98 Army Shin-Gunto style, browned brass with gilt accents, which is still very well retained on the pommel cap. It has the typical rounded brass "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 four metal seppa (spacers) around the tsuba to keep the fit tight. While the cross guard is inlet for a scabbard loop, the seppa are not, but do have one side ground away. It looks like the Tsuba was replaced at some point, as originally it would have had a large slot for a retaining strap coming from the leather wrapped around the grip collar. The blade collar (habaki) looks to be copper or bronze alloy, which has had the original plating wear away.

The handle (tsuka) has a great stingray skin (Sa-Me) grip, with the correct olive brown Ito (cloth binding). There is light staining to the wrapping with some worn in dirt and oil, but no tears or fraying, so it looks to have seen light to moderate use in the field. The metal end loop of the tsuka is present, though a bit bent out of shape, and the fitting it rests in is a bit loose. The securing pin looks to be a wartime or post war replacement made from bamboo. The handle fits the tang well, though the seppa and tsuba are still somewhat loose when it is installed, indicating that it may have shrunk, or that there are some seppa missing.

Attached to the pommel cap loop is a Brown and Blue colored Tassel, which is in good service used condition. This signifies that this was carried by a "company grade" officer, which would be a Lieutenant or Captain rank. It is totally correct, still tied around the end loop, with the colors faded over time, and fraying where it wraps around the end loop.

The Scabbard (saya) on this example is wood finished with black URUSHI lacquer, and looks to be of WWII production style, without the usual KURIKATA knob for attachment of a SAGEO sword cord or other features. It has a sheet brass KOIGUCHI fitting around the top throat, and below this is the brass fitting for the scabbard ring, which slides around now due to the glue failing. The scabbard was originally completely covered with a leather field cover over the fittings, however the top portion has torn away, along with the portion that secured it closed at the top. The rest of the leather is still sound, and shows a lovely chestnut brown color, while the exposed part of the scabbard has lost the lacquer on the narrow sides.

A lovely Japanese Type 98 Shin-gunto by a known maker, complete with an aged leather covered wooden scabbard and rank tassel. This is a real USGI bring-back from WWII, ready to display and cherish!

Specifications:
Blade Length: 24”
Blade Style: Shinogi-Zukuri Katana
Overall length: 35“
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.