Item Description
Original Item: Only One Available. This is fully research katana in wonderful condition that even includes its original WW2 surrender label still attached. The blade is handmade and expertly crafted by a master sword maker and signed by him on the tang.
Features of this fine Shin Gunto include:
- Single-hole tang.
- Tang is signed by the maker
- Hole in tang are punched not drilled.
- Folded steel blade (grain is evident in the blade body)
- Vibrant visible temper line ("hamon").
Offered in wonderful condition, it is still sharp and nick free. Blade length is approximately 26" with a long gracefully tapered long tang. Multiple temper lines clearly visible, with a straight grain (masame hadda) . Hamon is a beautiful shape, somewhere between a gunome midare and notare shape. A nice billowing effect that shows up beautifully in light. Yokote and hamon and clear and well defined. Milky look to the hamon. Polish on the blade is excellent, ready to display.
The tang of the blade is signed by the maker: 濃 州 関 住 小島 勝 正 作 - NOSHU SEKI JU KOJIMA KATSUMASA SAKU. This roughly translates to "Katsumasa Kojima made this in Mino Province (noshu) at Seki (arsenal)". This smith is listed in the Seki Tanrensho Booklet printed in 1939. Their real name was 小島 七右衛門 - Kojima Shichiemon. It is very common for swordsmiths to use part of their real names in their "swordsmith name".
The blade mountings are the classic WW2 era Army style. Round brass tsuba (cross guard) is of the typical army type, with cherry blossom decorations. The fuchi (blade collar) is copper, and is of a style typical of much older blades.The tsuka (handle) has brass Imperial Army cherry blossom menuki (grip decoration), and a nice Kabuto-Gane (Pommel Cap), one bamboo securing peg still present. The cross guard and pommel cap have matching cherry blossom motifs, which are also found on the scabbard fittings. There are 2 Seppa (spacers) around the cross guard to keep the fit tight. These are inleted for the scabbard lock. Excellent stingray Sa-Me (grip) with complete Ito (cloth binding), though the cloth is slightly stained from use.
The Scabbard (saya) is black lacquered wood, and is in good condition, with almost all of the original paint. There are some nicks, and cracking along the seam where the two pieces of wood are joined, which is typical. It has brass fittings, and it matches and locks into the hilt. Still attached to the brass ring is a linen label with surrender details, which we were unfortunately unable to translate. The label identifies the original owner and was used by the Japanese when they turned in "fighting implements", including swords to the U.S. after the war.
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 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.
- This product is available for international shipping.
- Eligible for all payments - Visa, Mastercard, Discover, AMEX, Paypal & Sezzle
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