Original Item: Only One Available. Purchased recently at a large military show, this is a fantastic 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 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 in the traditional manner from TAMAGAHANE steel, and the tang of the blade is signed (Mei) with the characters 濃 州 住 塚 原 兼 次 謹 作 - NOSHU JU TSUKAHARA KANETSUGU KIN SAKU, or "TSUKAHARA KANETSUGU made this in Mino Province (Noshu)." Research indicates that this smith's real name was 塚原 次郎 (Tsukahara Jirou), so in this case "Tsukahara" was their family name, and "Kanetsugu" 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. There are also several Japanese numerals painted on the tang in various colors, including 三 七 (3 7) in black.

Yoshinori was active during the Showa Period and worked at Seki arsenal in Gifu, Mino Province (美濃国), and is stamped 関 (SEKI) on the tang. They look to have made both arsenal forged and traditional blades. We have confirmed the signature (Oshigata) with other examples of his work. In 1942, Kurihara Hikosaburo ranked about 400 Showa Era smiths, and graded them into 7 different levels with 1 being the highest. Kaneyoshi is rated at level 5, 中作 (CHU SAKU or Medium work) = 上工の列 (Joko no Retsu or Good Work). Blades by this smith are very well made compared to most made at Seki Arsenal, many of whom were not even rated.

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

The blade is excellent condition, with just a few miniscule dents on the edge and minor wear, which can only be felt by very carefully touching the edge. The polish is in near excellent condition, and we can see no signs of major use or cleaning, just some minor oxidation staining from contact with the scabbard. The aspects of the blade are easily seen in any kind of light, and care should definitely be taken, as the edge is still VERY sharp. Blade length is 26 inches and overall length 37 ¼ inches.

Unlike 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 YAHAZU (矢筈 - arrow notched) 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.

The 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 Ō-MARU (大丸 large round turnback) shape, with a mostly visible transition. 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.

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 (koshirae). These include a 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, amde from what looks to be blacked copper plated brass. The tsuka (handle) has two gold highlighted brass Cherry-Blossom menuki (grip decorations), and a nice brass 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 replacement. 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.

Condition 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 tight to the blade, with secure spacers and no wobble in the tsuba.

The Wood scabbard has a standard black Urushi lacquer finish, and has all non-magnetic gilt brass fittings. The gilt finish is relatively well retained, with some loss from wear. They are mostly still attached well to the scabbard, with some wobble due to the glue degrading, particularly on the SEMEGANE scabbard ring near the bottom. The black enamel finish on the scabbard is still in very good condition, showing only some minor chipping, except for what look like some cuts below the lower hanger ring fitting. We haven't really seen this type of damage before, which looks to have also cut into the wood a little.

The tsuba, O-Seppa, and all of the seppa are marked with western number 3 7, while. The end of the tsuka and inside the scabbard are also marked with number 3 7. This matches the Japanese numbers 三 七 (3 7) painted on the tang. This indicates that this set of KOSHIRAE (fittings) are a matched set, all made for this specific blade.

Really a nice example of an Imperial Japanese Navy Kai-Gunto, handmade by a known smith and complete with its original scabbard and rank tassel. These are getting hard to find in any condition. A fantastic collector's opportunity!

Specifications:
Blade Length: 26"
Blade Style: Shinogi-Zukuri (鎬造)
Overall length: 37 ¼“
Scabbard Length: 30"

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.