Original Item: One of a Kind. Recently purchased at a military auction, this is a very attractive wartime Japanese officer's katana mounted in Type 98 Shin-Gunto (九八式軍刀, Kyūhachi-shiki Guntō) fittings, complete with its steel scabbard and brown and blue company grade officer tassel. The tang is signed 光 永, read MITSUNAGA, and dated 昭 和 十 八 年 十 二 月, corresponding to December 1943. The sword retains a very sharp approximately 26 ⅛ inch blade, attractive Type 98 fittings, fully functional scabbard lock, textured olive brown steel scabbard, and a well worn officer tassel that gives the entire set excellent wartime character.

The Type 98 fittings (koshirae) are slightly simplified compared to the earlier Type 94. 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 光 永, which is read as MITSUNAGA. Research indicates that this smith's real name was 野口 平一 (Noguchi Heiichi). 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. Mitsunaga was active during the Showa Period and worked at Seki arsenal in Gifu, Mino Province (美濃国).

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 十 八 年 十 二 月. This would be read: SHOWA (current reigning emperor) Juu-Hachi Nen (18th year of reign - 1943) Juu-Ni-Gatsu (12th Month - December).

Offered in very good condition, the blade is still VERY sharp, so it should be handled with care. It has the standard arsenal polish, which is glossy on both the JI blade body and SHINOGI-JI next to the spine. It is in very good condition, still bright and shiny for the most part, though there are some areas of scuffing and light oxidation staining. There is a tiny dent on the very tip, and some other small dents / bends on the rest of the edge. Blade length is approximately 26 ⅛ inches and overall length 37 ¾ 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 geometric KISSAKI (切先 - point of blade) with a faint but clear YOKOTE (横手 - line between ji and kissaki) and BOSHI ( 帽子 - tip temper line), however the shape is not distinct due to the polish condition. The main edge Temper line (HAMON - 刃文) is faintly visible, and is an attractive SUGUHA (直刃 -straight) shape, which is most likely from oil tempering. This is standard for arsenal forged blades.

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, which are still partly retained, with the rest displaying a mustard patina. It has the typical rounded brass MOKKO GATA (木瓜形 - four-lobed quince shape) 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 fully functional. The blade collar (habaki) looks to be silver or nickel plated brass alloy.

The handle (TSUKA) has a SA-ME (Stingray Skin) grip, which is fully intact, and does show some cracking. It is most likely synthetic, as seen on mid grade SHOWATO. It has a complete golden brown ITO (cloth binding), which shows light overall staining and worked in dirt on the more raised areas.  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.

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 there is some fraying and what looks to be a stitched repair.

The Scabbard (SAYA) is steel over wood, and in very good service used condition, with much of the original textured olive brown paint intact. It does however have small 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. 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 is fully functional.

Overall, this is an especially attractive wartime Type 98 officer sword with a strong combination of identifiable and displayable features. The signed MITSUNAGA tang, clearly dated December 1943, sharp 26 ⅛ inch blade, complete Type 98 fittings, functional scabbard lock, service worn steel scabbard, and surviving brown and blue company grade tassel make it an appealing example for the Japanese WWII edged weapons collector. The light oxidation, edge imperfections, small tip dent, possible synthetic grip covering, replacement Mekugi, and repaired tassel are all fully disclosed, while the sword's completeness and signed and dated tang provide considerable collector interest.

Specifications:
Blade Length: 26 ⅛"
Blade Style: Shinogi-Zukuri (鎬造)
Handle length: 10 ⅜"
Overall length: 37 ¾“
Scabbard Length: 29 ½"

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.