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 a 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 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 blade from 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.

This example has been remounted several times, as was common for Japanese blades. This has made the file marks (yasurime) on the tang faint, and given it a lovely patina. There is also some patinated oxidation, a sign of great age. There are two different MEKUGI-ANA (peg holes), so it was probably remounted at least twice times. As there is no maker name on the tang, this blade is considered 無銘 (mumei), or "anonymous".

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:

- Holes (mekugi-ana) in the tang are punched and not drilled.
- 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) and fukure (carbon pits), 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 oxidation staining and some light scuffing, but no major damage or other issues to note. The left side of the blade has two areas of minor oxidation, which we have left intact to avoid damaging the polish. The aspects of the blade can still be fully appreciated under normal lighting conditions. It is still EXTREMELY sharp, so care should be taken when handling the blade. There is no damage to the edge that we can see, definitely a rarity. Blade length is approximately 18 ¼ inches and overall length 28 ⅝ inches. This classifies the sword as a 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.

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, and it seems to have almost a repeating pattern to it. The blade body (JI) also has an ITAME HADA (板目肌 - wood grain pattern) texture which can be early seen in the light.

The blade has a proper geometric KISSAKI (切先 - point of blade) with a clear 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 fully visible with some great internal activity and a clear transition. We can see some HAKIKAKE (掃掛けBrush Stroke) activity as well. 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, however the accents have faded over time. It has a perforated rounded "quince" (mokko gata) shaped tsuba (cross guard), usually only seen on high end swords. It also features lovely brass Imperial Army cherry blossom menuki (grip decorations) and a nice Kabuto-Gane (Pommel Cap), which has a family crest added to it, indicating the owner was definitely of some importance. We unfortunately have not been able to identify the crest, which is unfortunately a very difficult undertaking.

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 eight metal Seppa (spacers) around the cross guard to keep the fit tight. The tsuba and all of the spacers are inlet for the scabbard lock, with is present but does not grip the scabbard anymore. The blade collar (habaki) is made from silver plated copper with a "rain" pattern, and is typical of the type we usually see on Edo Period Blades.

The handle (tsuka) has a great stingray skin (Sa-Me) grip, with the correct golden brown Ito (cloth binding). The wrapping is in great shape, showing little to no wear, so we do not see it having been used for any long period of time in the field. There is a cord through the end of the tsuba, however it is torn off at one end and in delicate condition. The handle is held on by a single securing peg, which is a replacement.

The Scabbard (saya) on this example is wood with a textured brown lacquer finish, but otherwise conforms well to the usual Type 98 pattern, with a single hanger loop. It shows some wear to to the finish and chipping down to the wood, but is otherwise very well retained. The fittings are all brass, and have lost most of the original gold highlights. The scabbard lock is present, however no longer latches onto the KOIGUCHI throat fitting.

A great Japanese Type 98 Shin-gunto Wakizashi with a handmade Edo Period blade with a fantastic hamon temper line! The very interesting scabbard just adds to the appeal! This is a real USGI bring-back from WWII, ready to research and display!

Specifications:-
Blade Length: 18 ¼”
Blade Style: Wakizashi - Shinogi-Zukuri (鎬造)
Overall length: 28 ⅝"
Scabbard Length: 20 ⅛"

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.