Original Item: One of a Kind. Recently purchased at large military show, this is a very nice USGI Bring-Back wartime production Japanese 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 is almost certainly wartime production, 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. It also has a very nice company grade rank tassel attached to the pommel.

The tang is unsigned 無名 (mumei), or "anonymous", however it is certainly handmade in the traditional fashion. Many excellent blades do not have a signature, and the presence (or absence) of one has no relation to how it was forged, or the quality. The only marking on the tang is a faded number marking, which looks to read 十 三 五, or 10 3 5.

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 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 by the edge (ji)

- Clear lamination is visible on the body "ji" of the blade, running to the edge.

- Blade has visible wounds "kizu", only possible on laminated steel blades

Offered in very good condition, the blade is still relatively sharp and looks good, though it definitely has seen some wear from service. There is evidence of past light corrosion and cleaning, which has made some aspects of the blade harder to see. There is also some denting and bending on the cutting edge, particularly towards the upper half of the blade, so this is a sword that saw real use. Blade length is approximately 25 7/8 inches and overall length of 37 1/4 inches. The katana has a handmade blade with a Futsu 普通 (regular) Nakago (tang) with a Haagari (assymetrically rounded) nakago-jiri (tang tip).

The HAMON (刃文) temper line is still relatively visible, and looks to be a YAHAZU MIDARE (矢筈乱れ - irregular arrow notch) shape, which shows a lot of internal activity. There is also a lot of activity above the hamon, including KINSUJI and SUNAGASHI in and above it. Along the transition there are clear NIE crystals visible, with cloudy areas of NIOI in the body of the hamon. The blade has a proper geometric kissaki and the tip temper line (boshi) is visible, however due to the polish issues is indistinct. The yokote is still faintly visible, and the blade body (JI) shows faint ITAME HADA (板目肌 - wood grained lamination). Definitely a blade with some nice possibilities if traditionally polished.

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), with an intact copper loop. 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 8 Seppa (spacers) around the cross guard to keep the fit tight, and they are all matched pairs. The tsuba and seppa are all inlet for the scabbard lock, which is still present and fully functional.

The blade collar (habaki) is gilt copper or brass brass, and is the standard shape usually seen on WWII production blades. The handle (tsuka) has a complete stingray skin (Sa-Me) grip, with the correct golden brown Ito (cloth binding). The wrapping does show wear and staining from sweat and oil, but there is no fraying or tearing. significant wear, with some repairs in places secured with blue or maybe plant sap. There is a single wooden securing peg (mekugi) still present, which looks to be original.

Attached to the pommel cap loop is a Brown and Blue colored Tassel, which is in good service used condition. This signifies that this was carried by a "company grade" officer, which would be a Lieutenant or Captain rank. It is totally correct, still tied around the end loop, and looks to have seen long service, which has faded the colors.

The Scabbard (saya) is steel over wood, and in very good condition, with much of the original paint intact. It is the correct lightly textured olive green, and is really in great shape, with just a few dents. It has the correct single hanger base of the Type 98, though the loop itself has broken off, and the top fitting is inlet for the scabbard lock on the hilt, which still locks securely. There are the remnants of a leather field cover at the top, which explains why the finish on the scabbard is in such good shape. The cover most likely fell apart in the nearly 80 years since WWII ended.

A lovely handmade Japanese Type 98 Shin-gunto with a rank tassel, this is a real USGI bring-back from WWII, ready to display and cherish!

Specifications:
Blade Length: 25 7/8"
Blade Style: Shinogi-Zukuri Katana
Overall length: 37 1/4“
Scabbard Length: 26 7/8"

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.