Original Item: Only One Available. Purchased recently at a large military show, this is an lovely condition late war style Japanese officer Katana, with an arsenal-made blade. It is in the standard 1944 pattern fittings, officially known as the 臨時正式 (Rinji Seikishi) or "Special Contingency" version of the Type 98 Shin-Gunto (九八式軍刀 kyūhachi-shiki guntō) setting. These fittings, while often called the P-1944, were in fact designed in 1938, but didn't really see much use until 1940. They were designed to be more robust than the regular Type 98 fittings, as well as less expensive and time consuming to produce. However the standard Type 98 fittings continued to be produced concurrently until almost the end of the war.

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. These are not made as carefully or to as high of a standard as the earlier blades, which makes them a very economical way to get into Japanese sword collecting. This is a very nice example, and appears to have seen very little use in combat. It is signed and dated 1945 on the blade tang by the smith who made it, KANEMUNE. It was fitted with a gray tassel post war at some point, which is not military issue.

The katana itself measures 36 ⅞ inches overall, with a 26 inch arsenal-made blade. The blade is most likely not traditionally made, as it does not show any lamination lines or grain, and does not have the correct polish for a hand-made blade. It has a standard bright finish to it, with a faux HAMON (temper line). This is definitely well executed, as it even has a YOKOTE (division between the blade and tip) and even a BOSHI (tip temper line), so it possibly is oil tempered. Condition very good, showing very minor wear, with just a few areas of oxidation and scuffing. The edge is still relatively sharp, so it should be handled with care. There are a few areas of minor edge bending, as well as a 1mm deep 2mm wide dent towards the middle of the blade.

One side of the tang bears the Mei, or signature, of the smith it was made by: 兼 宗, which is read as KANEMUNE. This smith also signed blades under the longer name 福本 兼 宗 - FUKUMOTO KANEMUNE. Research indicates that this smith's real name was 福本 小市 (Fukumoto Koichi), so in this case "Fukumoto" was their family name, and "Kanemune" their "swordsmith name." We have examined other examples of their signature (Oshigata), and confirmed the style is correct. They look to have made both traditional and arsenal forged blades during the war, and the two character mei is correct for an arsenal blade.

Kanemune was active during the Showa Period and worked at Seki arsenal in Gifu, Mino Province (美濃国), and their name appears in the Seki Tanrensho Booklet printed in 1939. We can see a faint 昭 "Showa" stamp in a cherry blossom, the inspection stamp used in Seki. Additionally, Kanemune was 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. Kanemune is listed as a 中下作 (CHUGE SAKU) level smith, which is one the 6th rank, out of 7, an "average" level smith. Most smiths are not even ranked, so while average among the smiths ranked, this is still definitely an above average smith.

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 二 十 年 一 月. This would be read: SHOWA (current reigning emperor) Ni-Juu Nen (20th year of reign - 1945) Ichi-Gatsu (1st Month - January). The tang of the blade (nakago) is the typical futsu (普通 normal) shape of the period, with a Haagari (asymmetrical rounded) nakago-jiri (tang tip), with the usual file marks (yasuri-me), which help the tang stay secure in the handle. The two hole tang is also typical of this period's arsenal forged blades.

The blade mountings are the typical Pattern 1944 era Army style. Round copper plated and blacked iron tsuba (cross guard) with no decorations, a brass habaki (blade collar), with a black painted iron fuchi (grip collar). There are two seppa (spacers) surrounding the tsuba, both properly inlet for the scabbard lock, which is present and fully functional. The tsuba is quite tight on the tang, and we were not able to remove it. There is no wobble to the tsuba due to how tight it is.

The tsuka (handle) has magnetic Imperial Army cherry blossom menuki (grip decorations), and an unadorned black Kabuto-Gane (Pommel Cap). The Tsuka (handle) has an excellent faux stingray (Sa-Me) grip panels, covered with complete Ito (cloth binding), which is in very good condition, but not wrapped traditionally, which is typical on the P1944 Setting. There are two securing pegs still present on the handle, which look to be original.

The scabbard for this katana is very good condition, with the correct original light brown lightly textured paint and late war blacked steel fittings. It matches and locks into the handle, and is of the correct 1944 pattern style. It shows very light wear from service, with the paint almost completely retained!

A great chance to pick up a real Japanese WWII Army Officer Shin-Gunto with a signed and dated blade. In excellent condition and ready to research and display!

Specifications:
Blade Length: 26"
Blade Style: Shinogi-Zukuri (鎬造) Katana
Overall length: 36 ⅞“
Scabbard Length: 28 ¼"

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.