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.

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 長 村 清 宣 作 鍛 之, which is read NAGAMURA KIYONOBU KITAU KORE, or "This [was] forged by NAGAMURA KIYONOBU". Research indicates that this smith's real name was 長村 松市 (Nagamura Matsuichi), so in this case "Nagamura" was their family name, and "Kiynobu" 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). They are also listed Page 85 of An Oshigata Book of Modern Japanese Swordsmiths 1868-1945 by John Slough.

The YASURIME (鑢目 - file marks) on the tang are still easily visible in some areas and it has a lovely oxidized patina, with some more advanced rust closer to the HA-MACHI. 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 near excellent 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. The polish on the blade is in very good condition, showing just a bit of wear from cleaning. We can see signs of past cleaning with uchiko powder, made from dust of the finest polishing stones, which has made the blade aspects a bit harder to see, however it still looks great overall. Blade length is approximately 25 ⅝ inches and overall length 37 ¼ 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, This includes ASHI, which are lines of NIOI running towards the edge. 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 Ō-MARU (大丸 - large 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, originally browned brass with gilt accents, but now showing overall patinated oxidation from exposure and wear. 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 KABUT-GANE (Pommel Cap) with an embossed brass 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 six metal seppa (spacers) around the tsuba to keep the fit tight. The crossguard and all seppa are inlet for a scabbard lock, however the end of the lock itself is broken off, so it is no longer functional. The blade collar (HABAKI) looks to be copper or bronze alloy, which still has the original amber coating.

The handle (tsuka) has a very nice stingray skin (Sa-Me) grip, with the correct olive brown ITO (cloth binding). There is staining to the wrapping with worn in dirt and oil, particularly near the tsuba, but no tears or fraying, so it looks to have seen moderate use in the field. The Sa-Me has unfortunately degraded, starting to fall apart, and we can see that in the past glue was used to stabilize it. The securing pin (MEKUGI) looks to be original, but it may also be a war time or old replacement. The hilt is still relatively tight on the tang, with just a bit of wobble to the tsuba.

The Scabbard (saya) on this example is lightweight aluminum over wood, and features an aged leather field cover, used to protect the finish and softer aluminum from dents. Unfortunately, the field cover shrank, and now cannot be removed from the scabbard. It has split along the seam in some areas, so we can see that the brown paint is still present on the scabbard, however we can also see paint loss and white aluminum oxide, produced due to reaction with the leather. Most likely there is a good amount of oxidation present under the cover, which we do not recommend attempting to remove, as we can see white dust falling out of the cracks at times. The top fitting of the scabbard still has the inlet for the scabbard lock, however as mentioned previously the lock on the handle is broken.

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

Specifications:
Blade Length: 25 ⅝”
Blade Style: Shinogi-Zukuri (鎬造) Katana
Overall length: 37 ¼“
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.