Original Item: One of a Kind. Recently purchased at an estate sale, 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 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 藪 下 義 光 作, read as YABUSHITA YOSHIMITSU SAKU. Research indicates that this smith's real name was 藪下 不二夫 - (Yabushita Fujio), so in this case "Yabushita" was their family name, and "Yoshimitsu" their "swordsmith name." We have seen many other smiths sign their swords in this fashion. Their name appears in the Seki Tanrensho Booklet printed in 1939. Kazunori was active during the Showa Period and worked at Seki arsenal in Gifu, Mino Province (美濃国). This smith look to have made both arsenal forged and traditional blades. We have confirmed the signature (Oshigata) with other examples of his work.

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 faint geometric Yokote at the tip (kissaki) with a faint Boshi (tip temper line)

Offered in very good condition, the blade is still relatively sharp and looks great. It does show wear from service, with a few nicks on the edge of the blade. There are also signs of light overall staining, now polished out from cleaning. There is scuffing on the blade surface and the polish is somewhat degraded, showing that it has been cleaned and seen service since the last polish. Blade length is approximately 25 1/4 inches and overall length 36 inches.

The katana has a handmade blade with a Futsu 普通 (regular) Nakago (tang) with a Haagari (asymmetrical rounded) nakago-jiri. The temper line is fully visible, even with the degraded polish, and is a very attractive and active CHOJI MIDARE - Irregular clover tree flower shape. Along the transition there are clear NIE crystals visible, with cloudy areas of NIOI in the body of the hamon, and some nice activity. The tip temper line (boshi) is visible, but faint, so we cannot see what shape it is. The yokote is also very faint, only visible in the light.

The blade mountings are the classic later WWII era Type 98 Army Shin-Gunto style, brass with gilt accents. Rounded "quince" shaped tsuba (cross guard) with brass Imperial Army cherry blossom menuki (grip decoration), and a nice Kabuto-Gane (Pommel Cap). 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 4 metal Seppa (spacers) around the cross guard to keep the fit tight, as well as a leather spacer with a locking strap attached. The tsuba and seppa are all inlet on the side for the strap. The blade collar (habaki) is brass, and is the standard shape usually seen on WWII production blades.

The handle (tsuka) has an nice stingray skin (Sa-Me) grip, with the correct Ito (cloth binding). There is a lot of wear to the wrapping, especially near the top, where it has torn through, and then was held down with rubber bands before being glued into place. There is also overall staining as well, but it still presents very well. There is a single wooden securing peg (mekugi) still present, which looks to be a post war replacement.

The Scabbard (saya) is steel over wood, and in very good condition, with most of the original textured paint intact. There is definitely sign of use however, with some peppered oxidation and wear. It has the correct single hanger loop of the Type 98 style, and the top fitting is inleted for the scabbard lock on the hilt, though there is no lock on this example. Instead it has a leather loop around the top with a snap on it, for the strap from the handle. Both of the small brass screws for the throat fitting are missing unfortunately, so it can be slid off the end of the scabbard.

A great service used 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: 25 1/4"
Blade Style: Katana
Overall length: 36“
Scabbard Length: 29 1/2"

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.