{"product_id":"original-japanese-wwii-type-98-shin-gunto-katana-sword-by-kaneuji-with-steel-scabbard-and-company-grade-tassel-dated-1943","title":"Original Japanese WWII Type 98 Shin-Gunto Katana Sword by KANEUJI with Steel Scabbard and Company Grade Tassel - dated 1943","description":"\u003cp\u003eOriginal Item: One of a Kind. Recently purchased from a private collection, 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 at arsenal. 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe blade on this example looks to have been arsenal forged, and the tang of the blade is signed (Mei) with the characters \u003cstrong\u003e兼 氏\u003c\/strong\u003e, which is read as \u003cstrong\u003eKANEUJI\u003c\/strong\u003e. This smith also signed blades under the longer name 吉田 兼氏 - YOSHIDA KANEUJI. Research indicates that this smith's real name was 吉田 鈴市 - YOSHIDA SUZUICHI, so in this case \"YOSHIDA\" was their family name, and \"KANEUJI\" their \"swordsmith name.\" We have examined other examples of their signature (Oshigata), and confirmed the style is correct. They made both traditionally made and arsenal forged blades, and used several different signatures. The short two character signature was standard for arsenal forged Shin-gunto.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis smith is listed in Kurihara Hikosaburo's 1942 listing of Wartime Japanese swordsmiths (tosho). He reported about 400 gunto tosho's ranking at the Tosho Banzuke (刀匠番附), and classified these into 7 ranks. KANEUJI is listed as a 下作 (GE SAKU) = 良工の列 (Ryoko no Retsu) level smith, which is the 7th rank out of 7, a \"lower level\". Considering that most smiths were not even rated, this is still quite good. KANEUJI also appears also in the Seki Tanrensho Booklet printed in 1939, and they were active during the Showa Period and worked at Seki arsenal in Gifu, Mino Province (美濃国).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe other side of the tang bears the date when the blade was produced, in the standard long form indicating years into the current emperor's reign: \u003cstrong\u003e昭 和 十 八 年 八 月\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003cstrong\u003e \u003c\/strong\u003e This would be read: \u003cstrong\u003eSHOWA\u003c\/strong\u003e (current reigning emperor) \u003cstrong\u003eJuu-Hachi Nen\u003c\/strong\u003e (18th year of reign - 1943) \u003cstrong\u003eHachi-Gatsu\u003c\/strong\u003e (8th Month - August).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOffered in very good condition, the blade is still quite sharp and looks great, with the polish still in excellent condition. It has the same style of polish used on traditionally made blades, with a burnished mune (spine) and shinogi-ji (blade flat above the ridge) while the JI has a bit of a matte character, as is correct. There is just a bit of light scuffing, and no major dents or chips, just a few tiny edge bends. There is little to no oxidation staining, and the aspects of the blade are relatively easy to see in the light. Blade length is approximately 26 inches and overall length 36 ½ inches. The katana has an arsenal forged blade with a Futsu 普通 (regular) Nakago (tang) with a Haagari (asymmetrical rounded) nakago-jiri (tang tip).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe blade has a proper kissaki (tip) with a clear yokote (division between body and tip) and boshi (tip temper line) which is the Ō-MARU (大丸 - large round turnback) shape. The main edge Temper line (HAMON - 刃文) is fully visible, and is a very attractive SUGUHA (直刃 -straight) shape, which is most likely from oil tempering. This is standard for arsenal forged blades.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe blade mountings are the classic WWII era Type 98 Army Shin-Gunto style, brass with gilt accents, which have partly worn away. 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. All are inlet for the scabbard lock, which is is complete and functional. The blade collar (habaki) looks to be plated copper or bronze alloy.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe handle (tsuka) has an very nice Sa-Me (Stingray Skin) grip, which is mostly intact, and probably made from celluloid or a similar plastic. It has a complete golden brown Ito (cloth binding), which shows wear and staining from use in the field. There is a single wooden securing peg (mekugi) still present, which looks to be original. There is a cord loop on the end of the handle, which shows some wear. The handle doesn't quite fit completely onto the tang anymore, as there is some material stuck down in the tsuka, probably shims that used to be on the side of the tang for a tighter fit. Due to this the tsuba and seppa are quite loose on the blade.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThere is the matching number \u003cstrong\u003e六 〇 七\u003c\/strong\u003e (6 0 7) stamped on the tsuba and all seppa. It is also stamped on end of tsuka, the fuchi, and on the locking spring for the scabbard lock. That means that this set of fittings was made as a set for this specific blade.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAttached to the pommel cap loop is a Brown and Blue colored Tassel, which is in very good lightly 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 still well-retained.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Scabbard (SAYA) is steel over wood, and in very good condition, with most of the original textured olive brown paint intact. There is a bit of wear on the outer side by the lower SEMEGANE scabbard ring, which has exposed the steel base metal, and also worn the ring a bit. The brass hardware still retains some of the original brown finish and gilding, but only on the SAYAJIRI scabbard tip and KOIGUCHI throat. The scabbard has the correct single hanger loop of the Type 98 style. The top fitting is inlet for the scabbard lock on the hilt, and the lock works correctly, though it is a bit finicky.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA lovely Japanese Type 98 Shin-gunto by a known maker, complete with scabbard and rank tassel. This is a real USGI bring-back from WWII, ready to display and cherish!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSpecifications:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBlade Length: 26”\u003cbr\u003eBlade Style: Shinogi-Zukuri Katana\u003cbr\u003eOverall length: 36 ½“\u003cbr\u003eScabbard Length: 28 ¾”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEach 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Samurai sword has grown to be one of the most highly desired military antiques.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Original Items","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":42479361032261,"sku":"ONSV24CPS129","price":1895.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1524\/1342\/files\/ONSV24CPS129__02.jpg?v=1741210742","url":"https:\/\/www.ima-usa.com\/products\/original-japanese-wwii-type-98-shin-gunto-katana-sword-by-kaneuji-with-steel-scabbard-and-company-grade-tassel-dated-1943","provider":"International Military Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}