Original Item: Only One Available. Purchased recently at a large military show, this is a very nice High Grade Japanese Naval officer Katana in the Pattern 1937 Kai-Gunto setting. A Kai-Guntō (海軍刀, naval sword) is a weapon and symbol of rank used by the Imperial Japanese Navy during the WWII Period. This is a very nice example, and features a traditionally made and maker signed blade, something we rarely see in Naval fittings. It still has the original brown tassel, which was used for all Naval officer grades.

The blade on this example was hand forged several hundred years ago, most likely in the mid-late 17th Century. It is signed 金 重, which in Japanese would usually be read as "KANESHIGE", but for this special name, the on'yomi version is used: KINJUU. This is a name of special importance among the swordsmiths in Mino province, as this was also the name of one of the two students of Japanese GREATEST swordsmith, MASAMUNE. Together with KANEUJI he founded the MINO school, and several times members of this school have taken this as their swordsmith name. Research indicates that there was a KINJUU smith active 1673-1711 in Mino and Harima provinces, and the condition of this blade indicates that it is from that approximate era. Definitely lots of research potential here!

The tang of the blade is well patinated, and the YASURIME (file marks) are completely gone, as are the TAGANE (chisel marks) and tagane-makura (raised area around the mei). It also has been cut down by the process of SURIAGE, which probably has removed an inch or two of the tang, and moved the HA-MACHI (blade notch) up a few inches. The blade length is currently 26 3/8 inches in length, which is very close to TACHI length. Before it was cut down, it almost certainly was used as a TACHI, as the MEI is on the left side of the blade when the edge is DOWN. A Katana blade should have the mei on the left side when the edge is UP, so that the smith's name points outwards. Only a sword meant to be worn edge down like a TACHI should have the signature on this side. Really a great collectible blade here!

The blade is handmade and was expertly crafted by a sword maker, which is indicated by a few tell-tale characteristics that include:

- Multiple holes in the tang are punched and not drilled.

- Visible temper line ("hamon") with crystallization visible (Nie and Nioi)

- Visible Grain ("hada") in the body of the blade ("ji)

- Blade is signed on the tang by the maker ("Mei")

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

- Tang of the blade shows great age and patination.

The blade is very good condition, showing only light wear, with no major dents or chips except for a small bend at the very tip of the blade. Polish is in good very good shape, though there are signs of some light oxidation being cleaned off with steel wool or something similar in the past. There is also some light staining in areas, however the majority of the blade still shows the aspects of the blade beautifully. It is very common for navy swords to have rust due to the ocean air. Blade length is 26 3/8 inches and overall length 37 1/4 inches. It features a Futsu 普通 (regular) shaped Nakago (Tang) with a Kiri (cut) nakago-jiri (tang tip).

Unlike most Kai-Gunto swords we see, this example has a hand-made traditionally made blade, complete with a vibrant temper line (hamon), which is visible along the entire edge of the blade. The shape is a very attractive TOURAN (billowing) shape, with just a bit of irregularity. There is visible NIE crystallization at the edge of the temper line easily visible to the naked eye, as well as the correct NIOI cloudiness in the hamon. The blade body (JI) also has MASAME HADA (straight grain) which can be seen in the light. There are some areas of wear and light scuffing, but the kissaki (tip) still shows a mostly clear YOKOTE with visible BOSHI (tip temper line), which is the YAKIZUME no turn back) type.

Japanese Kai-Gunto naval officers swords are somewhat rare, given that they usually went down with the ships. This particular example is definitely high grade, with a hand made blade, and excellent fittings though they have deteriorated somewhat from use and age.

It has a heavy round blacked brass plated iron tsuba (cross guard), with 3 Seppa (spacers) and two O-Seppa (Large spacers) around the tsuba that are large and highly stylized, correct for the Kai-Gunto pattern. Most of these are non-magnetic, with the O-seppa being made from blacked copper. The tsuka (handle) has two gold highlighted Cherry-Blossom menuki (grip decorations), and a nice brass Kabuto-Gane (End Cap) with a brass loop through the end. There is a single wooden securing peg still present, which looks to be a replacement. The grip has an excellent black lacquered stingray skin (Sa-Me) under the complete brown colored Ito (cloth binding), which shows only light wear. The fuchi (grip collar) is unfortunately missing.

Condition of the blade, scabbard and fittings is very good, indicating light use, though the wrapping does show a bit of dirt and staining. There also is some light oxidation and plating loss on the various metal fittings. As typical of the pattern, Cherry Blossom motifs appear on many of the fittings. Due to the Fuchi and one Seppa not being present, the crossguard wobbles quite a bit.

The Wood scabbard (saya) is wrapped in lacquered sharkskin shagreen, and has all gilt brass fittings, with much of the gilding remaining. As is typical, the glue holding the fittings in place has weakened over the decades, and all are now loose on the scabbard, with the two hanger rings stabilized with paper. The koiguchi (throat fitting) on many of these can fall right off, and unfortunately on this example it did long ago. The sharkskin covering however is still in great shape, with most of the lacquer intact, and the seam still intact.

We also noted that 1 1 is stamped on the tsuba, O-seppa, Seppa, and on the end of tsuka. It is also written inside saya, indicating that this set of fittings (koshirae) was made for this specific blade.

Really a great example of a high grade Imperial Japanese Navy Kai-Gunto, handmade by a famous smith and complete with its original sharkskin covered scabbard. These are getting hard to find in any condition. Ready to display!

Specifications:
Blade Length: 26 3/8"
Blade Style: Katana
Overall length: 37 1/4“
Scabbard Length: 29"

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.