Original WWII Japanese Army Officer Katana Samurai Sword in Scabbard By MIFUKU MASAYUKI - circa 1940
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Original Item: Only One Available. Purchased from the family of a WWII Merchant Navy Veteran, this is a very nice wartime production high grade Japanese officer Katana (Gunto). The blade bears a Seki Arsenal stamp, and is signed by the Gonto swordsmith Mifuku Masayuki. From what we know about this smith, the blade was most likely made around 1940, and is of very high original quality. Included is a small tag with research information and references. The blade is hand-made and tempered, indicated by a few tell tale characteristics that include:
- Double hole tang with original file marks present.
- Tang is signed by the maker Mifuki Masayuki
- Holes in tang are punch not drilled
- Visible Vibrant Temper line (hamon) on the blade.
- Grain texture (hada) visible in the blade body.
Offered in good condition with a clean mostly bright blade, this sword has definitely seen use, as indicated by blade and handle condition. There is some past light oxidation on the blade, with one area where there was some pitting. The cutting edge is still sharp, though there are some very small nicks on the point (kissaki), and the polish of the blade has been worn a bit, but the gunome midare (irregular zig zag) shaped hamon is still clear, and very attractive. There does not appear to have been any post-war sharpening of the blade however, and it is still sharp. Blade is somewhat heavy and the length is approximately 26 1/4" and overall length 38".
The markings on the tang are have been translated using Richard Fuller and Ron Gregory's list in Military Swords of Japan 1868-1945. These read 三 輪 正 行 作, or MIFUKU MASAYUKI SAKU (Masayuki Mifuku made this). Swordsmith Mifuku Masayuki was part of the Gonto school of swordsmithing, and worked with Seki arsenal during the war. This smith is listed in the Seki Tanrensho Booklet printed in 1939, and their real name was 三輪 友雄 - Mifuku Tomoo.
The blade mountings are the classic WW2 era Army style. Brass Habaki (blade collar) with a round brass tsuba (cross guard) is of the typical army type, with cherry blossom decorations. The fuchi (hilt collar) is brass with cherry blossoms as well, and shows wear. The tsuka (handle) has brass Imperial Army cherry blossom menuki (grip decoration), and also has a nice Kabuto-Gane (Pommel Cap), also with cherry blossoms. The Single bamboo securing peg is still present. Excellent stingray Sa-Me (grip) with complete Ito (cloth binding), though the cloth is definitely worn from use. Overall the hilt is very tight fitting, and there are several well fitting seppa (spacers) that keep the crossguard, hilt, and blade tight. There is almost no play in the fittings.
The Scabbard (saya) is steel, and is in the usual WWII army style, with brass fittings adorned with cherry blossoms, and a single brass hanger. The original finish seems to have been mostly polished off, and looks like it may have been blued instead of painted, like most steel scabbards were. We are not certain however. It matches and locks into the hilt. Overall a great display piece with a lot of history and totally correct.
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.
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