{"product_id":"original-japanese-wwii-type-98-shin-gunto-katana-sword-by-nagamura-kiyonobu-with-wooden-scabbard-service-used","title":"Original Japanese WWII Type 98 Shin-Gunto Katana Sword by NAGAMURA KIYONOBU with Wooden Scabbard - Service Used","description":"\u003cp\u003eOriginal Item: One of a Kind. Recently purchased at a large military show, this is very nice service used 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe blade on this example looks to have been hand forged in the traditional manner, and the tang of the blade is signed (Mei) with the characters \u003cstrong\u003e長 村 清 宣\u003c\/strong\u003e, which is read \u003cstrong\u003eNAGAMURA KIYONOBU\u003c\/strong\u003e. 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 \"Kiyonobu\" 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 \u003cem\u003eAn Oshigata Book of Modern Japanese Swordsmiths 1868-1945\u003c\/em\u003e by John Slough. We also noted that the other side of tang has an old label stuck on it, which was written on with pen. Part of it is missing, but there are definitely a lot of recognizable characters, which would make a great research project.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe YASURIME (鑢目 - file marks) on the tang are still easily visible, though there is some patinated oxidation on the tang from long service. The TAGANE-MAKURA (raised area around the mei) present, the TAGANE (chisel marks) are strong, and the MEI signature is easy to read, as we would expect on a Showa era blade.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe blade has the following period correct features, indicating it is forged in the traditional manner using folded steel made from TAMAGAHANE (玉鋼 - precious steel) smelted iron sand:-\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e- Blade is signed on the tang by the maker (\"Mei\")\u003cbr\u003e- Hole in the tang is punched and not drilled.\u003cbr\u003e- Visible temper line (\"hamon\") with crystallization visible (Nie and Nioi)\u003cbr\u003e- Lamination visible in areas.\u003cbr\u003e- Blade has a proper geometric Yokote at the tip (kissaki).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis Shin-Gunto Katana is offered in service used condition, and looks to have seen extensive use during the war. The blade is still relatively sharp, and we do not see any major dents or chips in the edge, however it has suffered overall past oxidation staining from exposure to the elements. It looks like this was cleaned away in areas, but it is still relatively dark, and we do not think it was cleaned traditionally. There is some oxidation that was not polished out closer to the hilt on the right side of the blade. Blade length is approximately 23 ⅞ inches and overall length 34 ¾ inches.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe katana has a handmade blade with a FUTSU 普通 (regular) NAKAGO (tang) with a HAAGARI (asymmetrically rounded) nakago-jiri (tang tip). The main edge HAMON (刃文 - temper line) is actually mostly visible, and looks to be a very attractive GUNOME (互の目 - undulating) shape, somewhat like a saw edge. Along the transition there are NIE crystals visible, with cloudy areas of NIOI in the body of the hamon, and some nice activity, but there is little more that we can see due to condition. The reason the hamon is still visible despite the oxidation is due to the different steel crystal structures oxidizing in different ways, and actually is part of the reason that the traditional SASHIKOMI polishing style works.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 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 brass MOKKO GATA (木瓜形 - four-lobed quince shape) type TSUBA (cross guard) with brass Imperial Army cherry blossom menuki (grip decoration), and a nice KABUTO-GANE (Pommel Cap) with an steel 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 four metal SEPPA (spacers) around the tsuba to keep the fit tight, and two are missing one side, which matches the hole in the cross guard. This is almost certainly for a leather strap that went to the scabbard cover that this sword originally had, which would be secured to a leather spacer. This would have a snap on the end that attached to the scabbard cover.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe blade collar (HABAKI) looks to be copper or bronze alloy, and shows a lovely lightly oxidized look. The handle (tsuka) has a service worn stingray skin (Sa-Me) grip, with an intact ITO (cloth binding). There is staining to the wrapping with worn in dirt and oil, showing some graying and erosion from long use and moisture exposure. The securing pin (MEKUGI) looks to be an old replacement. The hilt is still relatively tight on the tang, though the tsuba does wobble, probably because the leather washer for the scabbard lock is now missing, most likely having rotted out long ago.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Scabbard (SAYA) on this example is quite simple, made from wood with an iron hanger ring and bolster. It is typical of later war scabbards, and we usually would expect to see a leather field cover over the wood, which would usually have no finish, or a black URUSHI lacquer finish. We can still see a bit of this lacquer peeking out from under the hanger bolster, but the rest of the scabbard looks to have been somewhat roughly cleaned, and then had a red brown varnish applied. Most likely the leather field cover rotted out, and the wood was damaged, so post war someone \"fixed it up\". It fits the blade well, though we can see that the two halves of the scabbard are not quite lined up, so it was probably reglued at some point too.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA very nice service used Japanese Type 98 Shin-gunto by a known maker with a great patina of age, complete with some very interesting markings on the tang and a refinished scabbard. This is a real USGI bring-back from WWII, ready to research and display!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSpecifications:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBlade Length: 23 ⅞”\u003cbr\u003eBlade Style: Shinogi-Zukuri (鎬造) Katana\u003cbr\u003eHandle Length: 9 ¾“\u003cbr\u003eOverall Length: 34 ¾“\u003cbr\u003eScabbard Length: 26 ⅜”\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":45248775454789,"sku":"ONJR26FEPD07","price":1195.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1524\/1342\/files\/ONJR26FEPD07.jpg?v=1783026899","url":"https:\/\/www.ima-usa.com\/products\/original-japanese-wwii-type-98-shin-gunto-katana-sword-by-nagamura-kiyonobu-with-wooden-scabbard-service-used","provider":"International Military Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}