Original Item: One of a Kind. Recently purchased at large military show, this is a very nice USGI Bring-Back wartime production Japanese Army Officer Katana in the Type 98 Shin-Gunto (九八式軍刀 kyūhachi-shiki guntō) setting. These type of 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.

The blade on this example was hand forged, and the tang of the blade is signed (Mei) with the characters 高正, which is read as TAKAMASA. Research indicates that smith's real name was 安田 芳太郎 - Yasuda Yoshitaro. Their name appears in the Seki Tanrensho Booklet printed in 1939. Kaneaki was active during the Showa Period and worked at Seki arsenal in Gifu, Mino Province (美濃国). They look to have made both arsenal forged and traditional blades. We have confirmed the signature (Oshigata) with other examples of his work.

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 十 二 月. This would be read: SHOWA (current reigning emperor) Juu-Hachi Nen (18th year of reign - 1943) Juu-Ni Gatsu (12th Month - December). The sword looks to have been accepted into service at Nagoya Arsenal, who stamped the 名 (NA) character onto both sides. The blade tang is also painted with Japanese numerals 三 一 三 (313) on the bottom of the dated side.

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").

- Blade has a geometric Yokote at the tip (kissaki) with a Boshi (tip temper line)

- Blade has visible grain "hada" in the body of the blade (ji)

Offered in very good condition, the blade is still relatively sharp and looks great. The polish is in very good condition, and the aspects of the hamon are still easy to see. There are some light scuffs and a few areas of minor oxidation staining. Edge still quite sharp, with a about 3 minor edge bends around the center of the blade. There is also some overall minor edge wear from use on the last third of the blade, which is not as sharp as the other 2/3 of the blade. Blade length is approximately 26 1/4 inches and overall length of 37 1/2 inches. The katana has a handmade blade with a Futsu 普通 (regular) Nakago (tang) with an Haagari (asymmetrically rounded) nakago-jiri.

The HAMON (刃文 - temper line) is still very clear, and is a very attractive SUGUHA (直刃 - straight) shape, which shimmers in the light. Along the transition there are clear NIE crystals visible, with cloudy NIOI in the body of the hamon. The tip temper line (BOSHI) is visible, and is of the KOMARU (小丸 - small circle turnback) shape. The yokote is is still clear, and the blade has a proper geometric kissaki (tip). The blade body (JI) shows some grain (HADA), which is the MASAME (柾目 - straight) type. This is really a nice looking blade!

The blade mountings are the classic later WWII era Type 98 Army Shin-Gunto style, brass with gilt accents, featuring a rounded "quince" shaped (mokko gata) tsuba (cross guard). The tsuka (handle) has brass Imperial Army cherry blossom menuki (grip decorations), and a nice Kabuto-Gane (Pommel Cap), which has an embossed brass loop still present. 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 3 Seppa (spacers) around the cross guard to keep the fit tight. The tsuba and seppa are all inlet for the scabbard lock, which is still present and fully functional.

The blade collar (habaki) is silvered brass, and is the standard shape usually seen on WWII production blades. The handle (tsuka) has a very nice stingray skin (Sa-Me) grip, with the correct golden brown Ito (cloth binding). The wrapping does show some wear and staining from sweat and oil near the cross guard, but does not have any major tears or other issues. There is a partial single wooden securing peg (mekugi) still present, which looks to be original. The end of the tsuka, the fuchi, and all six seppa are marked 313, which matches the 三 一 三 (313) painted on the tang of the blade. The tsuba had the area near the blade adjusted for a tighter fit, so the 313 is hard to see. That means that these fittings (koshirae) were made for this blade as a matching set.

The Scabbard (saya) is steel over wood, and in very good condition, with most of the original paint intact. It does however show denting and wear from service, so there is definitely a bit of paint missing. It has the correct single hanger loop of the Type 98 style, and the top fitting is inlet for the scabbard lock on the hilt, which still works great. The two brass screws for the top fitting (koiguchi) are missing.

A great wartime dated handmade Japanese Type 98 Shin-gunto by a known maker, this is a real USGI bring-back from WWII, ready to display and cherish!

Specifications:
Blade Length: 26 1/4"
Blade Style: Shinogi-Zukuri Katana
Overall length: 37 1/2“
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.