Original Item: One of a Kind. Recently purchased at a recent military auction, 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.

The blade on this example looks to have been arsenal forged, and the tang of the blade is signed (Mei) with the characters 兼 征, which is read as KANEYUKI. There is very little information out there on this maker, which looks to only have made late war blades such as this. They were active during the Showa Period and worked at Seki arsenal in Gifu, Mino Province (美濃国), who stamped the blade with a civil inspection proof 岐 (Gifu) inside a cherry blossom. The 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: 昭 和 二 十 年 三 月. This would be read: SHOWA (current reigning emperor) Ni-Juu Nen (20th year of reign - 1945) San-Gatsu (3rd Month - March).

Offered in very good condition, the blade is still quite sharp and looks great, with the polish still in excellent condition. It has the standard arsenal polish, which is glossy on both the JI blade body and SHINOGI-JI next to the spine. There is just a bit of light scuffing, and no dents, chips, or other damage to the edge. 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 37 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).

The blade has a proper kissaki (tip) with a faint but 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 faintly 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.

The 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 six metal seppa (spacers) around the tsuba to keep the fit tight. All are inlet for the scabbard lock, which has had the end clip break off, and is no longer functional. The blade collar (habaki) looks to be plated copper or bronze alloy.

The handle (tsuka) has an very nice grip, which in this case is light brown sharkskin, not the usual synthetic ray skin (Sa-Me). This is mostly intact, and has the, and has a complete brown Ito (cloth binding), which shows very light staining from use in the field. There is a single wooden securing peg (mekugi) still present, which looks to be post war replacement. There is no loop on the end of the tsuka, so it was probably removed long ago.

The Scabbard (SAYA) is steel over wood, and in very good condition, with most of the original textured olive brown paint intact. It does however have dents on both sides, so it looks to have seen some real use in the field. These do not interfere with sheathing the blade. The brass hardware still retains some of the original brown finish and gilding, but only on the SAYAJIRI scabbard tip and KOIGUCHI throat, which is missing one of the two securing screws. 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, which as mentioned previously is broken.

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

Specifications:
Blade Length: 26”
Blade Style: Shinogi-Zukuri Katana
Overall length: 37“
Scabbard Length: 28 ¾”

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.