Original Item: One of a Kind. Recently purchased at a large military auction, this is a great USGI Bring-Back Japanese officer Wakizashi Short Sword in simplified Type 98 Shin-Gunto (九八式軍刀 kyūhachi-shiki guntō) setting. These type of fittings (koshirae) are slightly simplified compared to the earlier Type 94. The blade tang is in very good shape, and was handmade in the traditional fashion. 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.

This example dates from the Edo period (江戸時代, Edo jidai) or Tokugawa period (徳川時代, Tokugawa jidai) of Japanese history. This is the period between 1603 and 1867, when Japan was under the rule of the Tokugawa shogunate and the country's 300 regional daimyo. As the blade length is close to that of a Katana, and the blade is the "Shinogi-Zukuri" shape, some would term this an "O-Wakizashi".

This example has most likely been remounted several times, as was common for Japanese blades that are several hundred years old. Age and wear have made the file marks (yasurime) on the tang faint, and given it a lovely patina. Chisel marks (tagane) are visible but the tagane-makura (raised area around the mei) are worn away. The mei (signature) on the blade is however still relatively easy to read, and is marked 兼則 - KANENORI. There were numerous smiths that made blades under this name, ranging back to the Muromachi period and up to the Showa Period. Unfortunately from the information we have, there is no way for us to definitely identify which smith made this blade. Definitely some great potential for further research!

It was also a common practice for swords to be passed down for generations, particularly ones that were of high quality. These would be re-polished and re-fit numerous times, as steel was precious and swords were expensive. This continued up into WWII, which is possibly how this blade found it's way into WWII "Shin-Gunto" fittings. There also was an official Japanese program during the war for families with no sons to donate their swords towards the war effort.

The blade is handmade and expertly crafted by a master sword maker, which we can tell due to a few tell tale characteristics that include:

- Punched (not drilled) hole in tang, which shows age and patination.
- Blade is signed on the tang by the maker (mei)
- Vibrant visible temper line (hamon) at the edge of the blade with crystals visible as well as lots of activity.
- Blade shows clear "Hada" or grain, caused by the layers in the folded steel.
- Blade has a correct geometric Yokote at the tip (kissaki) with a Boshi (tip temper line)
- The Blade has lamination artifacts or "blade wounds" (kizu) such as ware (lamination lines), only possible on traditionally made blades.

Offered in very attractive condition, polish on the blade is still very good, and it looks great! There are a few areas of staining and some light scuffing, but no major oxidation damage or other issues to note. The aspects of the blade can still be fully appreciated under normal lighting conditions. It is still quite sharp, so care should be taken when handling the blade. There are no major edge dents or chips we can see, just a bit of light wear in areas.

Blade length is approximately 19 7/8 inches and overall length 30 1/4 inches. This classifies the sword as a long wakizashi (Japanese: 脇差, "side inserted [sword]"), which is a shorter version of the Katana, with a blade length between 12 and 24 in. Katanas must be longer than 2 shaku (Japanese: 尺), which is approximately 12 inches in length. We have seen a few wakizashi before in Shin-Gunto fittings, most likely family blades. As the length is on the longer side, and the blade is the "Shinogi-Zukuri" shape, some would term this an "O-Wakizashi".

The Shin-Gunto has a handmade blade with a Futsu 普通 (regular) Nakago (tang) with a HAAGARI (asymmetrical Rounded) nakago-jiri (tang tip). It has a vibrant temper line (刃文- HAMON), which is visible along the entire edge of the blade. The shape is a very attractive GUNOME-MIDARE (互の目乱れ - irregularly undulating) type, which shimmers in the light. There is visible NIE crystallization at the edge of the temper line easily visible, as well as the correct NIOI cloudiness in the hamon. There is a lot of activity within the hamon, including some ASHI, which are lines of NIOI running towards the edge.

The blade body (JI) also has MASAMA HADA (柾目肌 - Straight Grain) which can be early seen in the light. There are some areas of wear and light scuffing, but the kissaki (tip) still shows a mostly clear YOKOTE with visible BOSHI (tip temper line), though we cannot quite see what shape it is. The blade has various KIZU (blade wounds), including WARE , which are lamination seams from the forging process, and there are also FUKURE carbon pits. which are inclusions from joining the pieces of steel together. This is really a great blade, with lots of aspects to enjoy. With the long delay for traditional togishi polishing, blades like this that are ready to display and appreciate are definitely in demand.

The blade mountings are the classic WWII era Type 98 Army Shin-Gunto style, brass with gilt accents, which are actually still well retained on many of the fittings. This is what the type 98 is "supposed" to look like! It has the typical rounded "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 7 metal Seppa (spacers) around the cross guard to keep the fit tight. The blade collar (habaki) is made from plated copper with ribbed pattern, and is typical of the type we usually see on older blades.

The handle (tsuka) has a great stingray skin (Sa-Me) grip, with the correct olive brown Ito (cloth binding). There is just a bit of minor staining to the wrapping and a few small tears, and it does not look to have seen any significant use in the field. There is a simple bent copper hanger ring through the end of the tsuba, and the single mekugi (peg) looks to be a replacement.

The Scabbard (saya) on this example looks to be wood with a textured lacquer finish, which was then fitted with a leather field cover during the war. We can still see traces of the finish where the snap for the field cover tore away. It also has a lovely metal kurikata knob with a shitodome fitting right next to the brass sword hanger fitting and loop. This type of cover was sewn directly around the scabbard, so there is no way to remove it aside from cutting it off. Attached to the hanger loop is a somewhat worn "capture tag", which would usually have the name of who turned in the sword. Definitely some great research potential here!

A great Japanese Type 98 Shin-gunto Wakizashi with a handmade Edo Period blade by a known maker! The scabbard and capture tag just add to the appeal! This is a real USGI bring-back from WWII, ready to research and display!

Specifications:-
Blade Length: 19 7/8”
Blade Style: Wakizashi - Shinogi-Zukuri
Overall length: 30 1/4"
Scabbard Length: 21 1/2"

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.