Original Item: One of a Kind. Recently purchased at a large military auction, this is a great USGI Bring-Back wartime production high grade Japanese officer Katana in the Rikugun Jumei Tosho fittings. These were a high grade of variation of the 臨時正式 (Rinji Seikishi) or "Special Contingency" version of the Type 98 Shin-Gunto (九八式軍刀 kyūhachi-shiki guntō) setting, sometimes called the "Type 3". They feature a textured lacquered scabbard, as well as a blade lock that has releases on both sides of the crossguard, not seen on the "regular" version of the Rinji Seishiki. The cross screws through the handle, instead of the usual wooden or bamboo pegs, is another change made.

These fittings, while often called the P-1944, were in fact designed in 1938, but didn't really see much use until 1940. They were designed to be more robust than the regular Type 98 fittings, as well as less expensive and time consuming to produce. However the standard Type 98 fittings continued to be produced concurrently until almost the end of the war. The blade tang on this RJT Shin-Gunto is signed by the maker, and is 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 Rikugun Jumei Tosho were swordsmiths certified by the Army headquarters of Japan during wartime. Their names first appear in "Rikugun Jumei Tosho Meibo (1933)" and it is believed that they produced blades for highly ranked officers. Besides Yasukuni tosho and Minatogawa tosho, these smiths all produced Gendaito (traditionally made blades), which should be discerned from Showato (arsenal forged blades). A star stamp was marked on the blade tang when passed by Rikugun Shinsa Inspection.

The blade on this example was hand forged, and the tang of the blade bears a faint star stamp of the RJT inspection by the upper peg hole. Below this it is signed (Mei) with the characters 井上 勝 清 作 - INOUE KATSUKIYO SAKU, or "Inoue Katsukiyo made this." We have compared the tang to other blades and this is definitely in the same style as they usually sign their blades. They are on the 1933 Rikugun Jumei Tosho Meibo list, but there is not much else that we have been able to find out about them.

The 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: 昭 和 十 八 年 秋. This would be read: SHOWA (current reigning emperor) Juu-Hachi Nen (18th year of reign - 1943) Aki (Autumn). The tang markings have been highlighted with white to make them easier to see.

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 vibrant temper line ("hamon") with Nie crystals and Nioi cloudiness

- Blade has lamination visible in the body (JI) as well as edge (HA) of the blade, along with HADA (grain) in the blade body.

- Blade is signed on the tang by the maker ("Mei"), and dated on the opposite side

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

Offered in very good condition, the blade is still sharp and looks great. There are just a few tiny nicks or dents on the edge. There is also some oxidation / scuffing at the shinogi, which is the ridge at the edge of the JI (blade edge). Blade length is approximately 26 inches and overall length of 37 5/8 inches. The katana has a handmade blade with a Futsu 普通 (regular) Nakago (tang) with a Kuri-Jiri (rounded) nakago-jiri (tang tip). 

It has a proper kissaki (tip) with a clear yokote (division between body and tip), as well as a boshi (tip temperline), which is the komaru (small turn back) type. The hamon looks to be a slow Choji (Clover Tree Flower) MIDARE (Irregular) type. There are a lot of easily visible nie crystals at the transition to the hamon, and there is nioi cloudiness in the hamon with ashi (lines of nioi). Definitely a very active hamon, and there is also ITAME (wood grain) hada on the blade body.

The blade mountings are the typical Rikugun Jumei Tosho Army style, similar to the P-1944. Round iron tsuba (cross guard) with no decorations, a plated copper habaki (blade collar), with an iron fuchi (grip collar). There are three seppa (spacers) surrounding the tsuba, properly inlet for the scabbard lock, and the one closest to the blade is "cup" shaped. The scabbard lock is present and fully functional, but unlike the usual pattern, there are release buttons on both the fuchi and on the scabbard itself.

The tsuka (handle) has brass Imperial Army cherry blossom menuki (grip decoration), and an unadorned black Kabuto-Gane (Pommel Cap), with a hanger ring. It has a nice stingray skin (Sa-Me) grip, which is fully intact, with at a complete Ito (cloth binding), which looks to have been lacquered, as many RJT pattern handles were. The handle is also slightly wider at the guard end. An interesting feature of the RJT fittings is that the handle is actually held on by two iron screws, instead of the usual wood or bamboo mekugi (pegs).

The Scabbard (saya) is wooden with a textured Lacquered fabric overlay. This type of scabbard is lightweight and usually seen on HIGH end Katanas. They have a cloth wrapping over the wood before the thick paint on layers are applied. It acts as a reinforcing and gives it a lovely textured look. These are standard with the RJT fittings.

An incredible Japanese RJT Shin-gunto by KATSUKIYO, this is a real USGI bring-back from WWII, ready to display and cherish!

Specifications:
Blade Length: 26”
Blade Style: Katana
Overall length: 37 5/8"
Scabbard Length: 28 1/4"

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 multiple pieces of 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.