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 高 正, read TAKAMASA, and dated 昭 和 十 八 年 十 月, corresponding to October 1943. The sword retains a very sharp approximately 26 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 高 正, which is read as TAKAMASA. Research indicates that this smith's real name was 安田 芳太郎 (Yasuda Yoshitaro). 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. Takamasa was active during the Showa Period and worked at Seki arsenal in Gifu, Mino Province (美濃国). There is also the red painted marking 六 四 (6 4), used to match the blade with the fitting made for it.

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-Gatsu (10th Month - October). It also is marked with 六 四 at the bottom, but in brown paint.

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 tip. Blade length is approximately 26 inches and overall length 37 ⅞ 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 main edge HAMON (刃文 - temper line) is fully visible, and is an attractive SUGUHA (直刃 -straight) shape. The blade has a proper geometric KISSAKI (切先 - point of blade) with a clear YOKOTE (横手 - line between ji and kissaki) and BOSHI ( 帽子 - tip temper line), which is of the Ō-MARU (大丸 - large round turnback) shape. This is typical for arsenal forged blades, and the hamon may be from oil quenching, or possibly simulated.

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 three 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 looks to be genuine and not synthetic. 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 original but is broken.

The top of the TSUKA has a pencil marked 六 四 (6 4), which matches the markings painted onto the tang of th blade. The FUCHI, scabbard lock, TSUBA, and all three SEPPA are marked with western number 6 4, so these are matched set of KOSHIRAE (fittings), made for this specific blade. We did check the scabbard, however it is too worn inside to see any markings.

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, but no fraying or repairs we can see.

The Scabbard (SAYA) is steel over wood, and in very good condition, retaining almost all of the original textured olive brow paint. It does have some small dents on one side, and there is also some scratching and scuffing, but no major loss of the finish has resulted from this. The brass hardware still retains most 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 TAKAMASA tang, clearly dated October 1943, sharp 26 inch blade, complete Type 98 fittings, functional scabbard lock, very good 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, and small tip dent are all fully disclosed, while the sword's completeness and signed and dated tang provide considerable collector interest.

Specifications:
Blade Length: 26"
Blade Style: Shinogi-Zukuri (鎬造)
Handle length: 10 ¾"
Overall length: 37 ⅞“
Scabbard Length: 29 ⅝"

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.