{"product_id":"original-wwii-japanese-navy-officer-p1937-kai-gunto-handmade-katana-sword-by-takai-sadatsugu-with-sharkskin-scabbard-and-tassel-dated-1943","title":"Original WWII Japanese Navy Officer P1937 Kai-Gunto Handmade Katana Sword by TAKAI SADATSUGU with Sharkskin Scabbard and Tassel - Dated 1943","description":"\u003cp\u003eOriginal Item: Only One Available. Purchased recently at a large military show, this is a very nice wartime 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 fantastic example with a sharkskin shagreen covered scabbard, 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe blade on this example was hand forged in the traditional manner, and the tang of the blade is signed (Mei) with the characters \u003cstrong\u003e関 住 髙 井 貞 継 作\u003c\/strong\u003e, read as SEKI JU TAKAI SADATSUGU SAKU. This translates to Made by Takai Sadatsugu at Seki. Research indicates that this smith's real name was 高井 貞次郎 (Takai Teijirō), so in this case \"Takai\" was their family name, and \"Sadatsugu\" their \"swordsmith name.\" We have seen many other smiths sign their swords in this fashion. We have examined other examples of their signature (Oshigata), and confirmed the style is correct. It has the correct 髙 variant of 高 (TAKA) they used when signing blades.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSadatsugu 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. \u003cspan\u003eThey were named a Rikugun Jumei Tosho, approved to make swords for the army used by highly ranked officers. \u003c\/span\u003eAdditionally, Sadatsugu was\u003cspan\u003e 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. Sadatsugu 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.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe also checked Markus Sesko's\u003cem\u003e Index of Japanese Swordsmiths\u003c\/em\u003e, and this is Sadatsugu's entry:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eSADATSUGU (貞次), Shōwa (昭和, 1926-1989), Gifu – “Sadatsugu” (貞次), family name Takai (高井), rikugun-jumei-tōshō, ryōkō no jōi (Akihide), Fifth Seat at the 6th Shinsaku Nihontō Denrankai (新作日本刀展覧会, 1941)\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 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: \u003cstrong\u003e昭 和 十 八 年 八 月 吉 日\u003c\/strong\u003e. This would be read: \u003cstrong\u003eSHOWA\u003c\/strong\u003e (current reigning emperor) \u003cstrong\u003eJuu-Hachi Nen\u003c\/strong\u003e (18th year of reign - 1943) \u003cstrong\u003eHachi-Gatsu\u003c\/strong\u003e (8th Month - August). The last two characters translate to Kichi-Jitsu, or \"Auspicious Day\", meaning it was made on a lucky day, which we see often on katanas from this period.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe blade is handmade and was expertly crafted by a sword maker, which is indicated by a few tell-tale characteristics that include:\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e- Hole in the tang is punched and not drilled.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e- Visible vibrant temper line (\"hamon\") with crystallization visible (Nie and Nioi)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e- Blade is signed on the tang by the maker (\"Mei\") and dated\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e- Blade shows clear \"Hada\" or grain, caused by the layers in the folded steel.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e- Blade has a proper geometric Yokote at the tip (kissaki) with a Boshi (tip temper line)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e- The Blade has lamination artifacts or \"blade wounds\" (kizu) such as ware (lamination lines) and fukure (carbon pits), only possible on traditionally made blades.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe blade is very good condition, and is still \u003cstrong\u003eVERY sharp\u003c\/strong\u003e, so it should be\u003cstrong\u003e handled with care\u003c\/strong\u003e. There are no dents, chips, or bends to the edge, and the polish is in very good condition, showing some scattered oxidation staining on both sides, but no real rust. The blade does show some signs of having been cleaned with traditional Uchiko powder, made from the finest grit polishing stones. However, the aspects of the blade are still easily visible in the light. Blade length is 25 ⅞ inches and overall length 37 inches.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUnlike most Kai-Gunto swords we see, this blade of this example was made in the traditional fashion from folded steel made from TAMAGAHANE steel. It features a Futsu 普通 (regular) shaped Nakago (Tang) with a Haagari (asymmetrical rounded) nakago-jiri (tang tip). It has a vibrant temper line (刃文- HAMON), which is visible along the entire edge of the blade. The shape is a very attractive SUGUHA - 直刃 (straight) type, which shimmers in the light with some small irregularities at the transition. There is visible NIE crystallization at the edge of the temper line easily visible, as well as the correct NIOI cloudiness in the hamon. There is a lot of activity within the hamon, including lamination lines. The blade body (JI) also has a very tight MASAME HADA (柾目肌 - straight grain pattern) texture which can be early seen in the light, typical for WWII produced traditional blades.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe blade has a proper geometric KISSAKI (切先 - point of blade) with a clear YOKOTE (横手 - line between ji and kissaki). The BOSHI ( 帽子 - tip temper line) is of the KO-MARU (小丸- small round turnback) shape, with a mostly visible transition. The blade has various KIZU (blade wounds), including WARE , which are lamination seams from the forging process, and there are also FUKURE carbon pits. which are inclusions from joining the pieces of steel together. This is really a great blade, with lots of aspects to enjoy. With the long delay for traditional togishi polishing, blades like this that are ready to display and appreciate are definitely in demand.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eJapanese 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe fittings (koshirae) heavy round tsuba (cross guard), with 4 Seppa (spacers) and two O-Seppa (Large spacers) around the tsuba that are large and highly stylized, correct for the Kai-Gunto pattern. All of these are non-magnetic except for the O-Seppa, which are made from blacked copper plated steel. The tsuka (handle) has two gold highlighted steel Cherry-Blossom menuki (grip decorations), and a nice iron Kabuto-Gane (End Cap), all of which show some loss of the gilding. There is a single wooden securing peg still present, which looks to be a original. The grip has a great black stingray skin (Sa-Me) grip under the complete brown colored Ito (cloth binding) with a fine brass decorative collar (fuchi). There is a very nice brown rank tassel attached to the end loop of the tsuka, which shows minimal wear.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCondition of the blade, scabbard and fittings indicates that this katana saw only light service during the war. There does not appear to be any signs of major cleaning or restoration, just how we like to see them. As typical of the pattern, Cherry Blossom motifs appear on many of the fittings. The handle is mostly tight to the blade, with secure spacers and just a bit of wobble in the tsuba.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Wood scabbard (saya) is wrapped in lacquered sharkskin shagreen, and has all gilt iron fittings except for the KOIGUCHI (scabbard mouth) and SAYAJIRI end fitting, which are gilt brass. As with most we see, some the fittings are a bit loose on the scabbard, as the glue holding them in place has degraded over time. Paper has been slid under the carrying ring fittings to stabilize them. The scabbard is covered in sharkskin shagreen, which was coated with black URUSHI lacquer and then sanded down to give it a great look. It is still in great shape, with almost all of the lacquer intact. There is no splitting along the seam, and this is definitely one of the best sharkskin covered scabbards that we have seen in some time. Both hanger rings are still present, making this a really great example of a high grade scabbard.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe tsuba, and O-Seppa are marked with matching number \u003cstrong\u003e山 1 6\u003c\/strong\u003e, a mix of Japanese and Western markings that is common in these matching numbers. The end of the tsuka and inside the scabbard are also marked with number 山 一 六, with the last two characters being the Japanese kanji for 1 and 6. This indicates that this set of KOSHIRAE (fittings) are a matched set, all made for this specific blade.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eReally a great example of an Imperial Japanese Navy Kai-Gunto, handmade by a well-known smith and complete with its original scabbard and tassel. These are getting hard to find in any condition.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSpecifications:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBlade Length: 25 ⅞\"\u003cbr\u003eBlade Style: Shinogi-Zukuri (鎬造)\u003cbr\u003eOverall length: 37“\u003cbr\u003eScabbard Length: 29\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEach 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Samurai sword has grown to be one of the most highly desired military antiques.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Original Items","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":43740144730181,"sku":"ONSV24MDS048","price":3495.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1524\/1342\/files\/ONSV24MDS048MAIN.jpg?v=1759532789","url":"https:\/\/www.ima-usa.com\/products\/original-wwii-japanese-navy-officer-p1937-kai-gunto-handmade-katana-sword-by-takai-sadatsugu-with-sharkskin-scabbard-and-tassel-dated-1943","provider":"International Military Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}