Original Item: One of a Kind. Recently purchased at a large military show, this is a real 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 be 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, like many USGI bring back items, was polished up and nickel plated, to "preserve" it. This also included buffing the fittings, removing their original browned finish, and we can see that the blade of the sword was cleaned aggressively before plating, indicated by the horizontal striations, probably from a heavy wire wheel. The blade and scabbard were both nickel plated, and now they show flaking and oxidation, so this was probably done not long after the sword was brought home.

Thankfully, they did not aggressively clean the tang, and the markings are still visible. Before being polished, it probably looked much like this example that we previously had by the same maker: Type 98 Shin-Gunto Katana by KOJIMA KANENORI.

The tang of the blade is signed (Mei) with the characters 兼 則, read as KANENORI. This smith also signed blades under the longer name 小 島 兼 則 - KOJIMA KANENORI. Research indicates that this smith's real name was 小島 太郎 (Kojima Tarou), so in this case "Kojima" was their family name, and "Kananori" their "swordsmith name." We have examined other examples of their signature (Oshigata), and confirmed the style is correct.

This smith is listed in Kurihara Hikosaburo's 1942 listing of Wartime Japanese swordsmiths (tosho). He reported about 400 gunto tosho's ranking at the Tosho Banzuke (刀匠番附), and classified these into 7 ranks. KANENORI is listed as a 中上作 (CHUJO SAKU) = 上工の上位 (Joko no Joi) level smith, which is the 4th rank out of 7, an "upper middle" level smith. Considering that most smiths were not even rated, this is quite a high ranking. KANENORI also appears also in the Seki Tanrensho Booklet printed in 1939, and they were active during the Showa Period and worked at Seki arsenal in Gifu, Mino Province (美濃国).

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 五 月. This would be read: SHOWA (current reigning emperor) Juu-Hachi Nen (18th year of reign - 1943) Hachi Gatsu (5th Month - May). Blade length is approximately 26 ¼ inches and overall length 37 inches. The katana has a handmade blade with a FUTSY (普通 - regular) Nakago (tang) with HAAGARI (asymmetrical rounded) nakago-jiri (tang tip

The blade mountings are the classic WWII era Type 98 Army Shin-Gunto style, brass with gilt accents, which have mostly worn away. 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 three metal seppa (spacers) around the tsuba to keep the fit tight. All are inlet for the scabbard lock, though as the sword no longer goes all the way into the scabbard, it cannot be used. The blade collar (habaki) looks to be copper, probably originally gilt. The handle (tsuka) has an great Sa-Me (Stingray Skin) grip, which is fully intact, though synthetic, and the golden brown Ito (cloth binding) was re-wrapped at some point, probably after the menuki were buffed bright. There is a single wooden securing peg (mekugi) still present, which is definitely a display replacement. The Scabbard (saya) is steel over wood, and has been nickel plated and the fittings polished. It no longer fits all the way onto the blade due to oxidation.

A very interesting USGI bring back Japanese WWII Type 98 Shin-Gunto Katana, nickel plated for display.

Specifications:
Blade Length: 26 ¼"
Blade Style: Katana
Overall length: 37“
Scabbard Length: 28 ⅞"

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.