Original Item: One of a Kind. Recently purchased at an estate sale, this is a great USGI Bring-Back wartime production Japanese Katana in an Army Civilian Shin-Guntō (新軍刀, new military sword) setting. These type of fittings (koshirae) were for Civilian employees of the Imperial Japanese Army, and are a lot more variable than the usual Army Officer Type. They are much closer to traditional fittings, without the cherry blossom motifs seen on Officer swords.

The blade on this example was hand forged, and the tang of the blade is signed (Mei) with the characters 関 住 松 山 嘉 則 作, read as SEKI JU MATSUYAMA YOSHINORI SAKU. This translates to Made by Matsuyama Yoshinori at Seki. Research indicates that this smith's real name was 松山 梅春 (Matsuyama Umeharu), so in this case "Matsuyama" was their family name, and "Yoshinori" their "swordsmith name." We have seen many other smiths sign their swords in this fashion. Their name appears in the Seki Tanrensho Booklet printed in 1939. The markings on the blade have been highlighted in white to be easier to see.

Yoshinori was active during the Showa Period and worked at Seki arsenal in Gifu, Mino Province (美濃国), and is stamped 関 (SEKI) on the tang. They look to have made both arsenal forged and traditional blades. We have confirmed the signature (Oshigata) with other examples of his work. Yoshinori also was a winner of the Shinsaku Nihonto Denrankai held in 1941 but missed in Hikosaburo's Tosho Banzuke. They were awarded 5th place - 新進 (Shinshin or Up-and-Coming).

The blade is handmade and was expertly crafted by a sword maker, which is indicated by a few tell-tale characteristics that include:

- Hole in the tang is punched and not drilled.

- Visible temper line ("hamon") with crystallization visible (Nie and Nioi)

- Blade is signed on the tang by the maker ("Mei")

Offered in good condition, the blade is still relatively sharp, and we do not see any nicks or bends on the edge of the blade. However much of the surface shows evidence of past surface oxidation, which was then cleaned off. This has unfortunately completely degraded the polish in many areas, and the hamon is only visible in some places, such as under the habaki. Blade length is approximately 27 5/8 inches and overall length 38 3/4 inches.

The katana has a handmade blade with a Futsu 普通 (regular) Nakago (tang) with a Naagari (asymmetrical rounded) nakago-jiri. Where the temper line is still visible, it shows a SUGUHA (straight) shape, with just a bit of undulation. Along the transition there are clear NIE crystals visible, with cloudy areas of NIOI in the body of the hamon, and some nice activity. The stained and degraded area of the blade unfortunately does not show any other aspects.

The fittings are typical of what we see the Army Civilian Employee Shin-Gunto katanas during the WWII period, with a very nice embossed iron "koko gata" square shaped tsuba (cross guard), with four seppa (spacers). It has both Hitsu-ana (accessory holes) for both the Kozuka (kogatana handle) and kogai (hair ornament). The Tsuka (handle) has an excellent stingray (Sa-Me) grip panels, covered with complete black green Ito (cloth binding), which is in very good condition. This holds two menuki in place, which look to be hunting bows with other items next to them. The fuchi (grip collar) and kashira (end cap) are both brass and embossed with many cherry blossoms, the insignia of the Japanese Army. The habaki (blade collar) is copper, seen commonly on Showa era private purchase blades.

The scabbard is brass fitted wood, and looks like it was refinished with a walnut stain post war. It may originally have had a leather cover, or may have just been black lacquer that flaked off. It has a kurikata knob for the attachment of a sageo cord, but there is not one present.

A very nice handmade Japanese Army Civilian Employee type Shin-gunto by a known maker, this is a real USGI bring-back from WWII, ready to display and cherish!

Specifications:
Blade Length: 27 5/8"
Blade Style: Katana
Overall length: 38 3/4“
Scabbard Length: 29 3/4"

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.