Original Item: One of a Kind. Recently purchased from a private collection, this is an excellent condition USGI Bring-Back wartime production Japanese officer Katana in the Type 98 Shin-Gunto (九八式軍刀 kyūhachi-shiki guntō) setting. The Type 98 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 濃 州 関 住 小島 勝正 作, which is read NOSHU SEKI JU KOJIMA KATSUMASA SAKU. This essentially translates to "Made by Kojima Katsumasa at Seki in Noshu (Mino Province). Research indicates that this smith's real name was 小島 七右衛門(Kojima Shichiemon), so in this case "Kojima" was their family name, and "Katsumasa" their "swordsmith name." We have seen many other smiths sign their swords in this fashion, and in this case they just changed one of the kanji in their given name. Their name appears in the Seki Tanrensho Booklet printed in 1939. Katsumasa 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.

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)

- Visible HADA (grain) in the body of the blade and lamination in the temper line.

Offered in very good condition, the blade is still VERY sharp and looks great, showing some service wear and oxidation staining, but no major damage. There are no nicks on the edge that we can see, just some wear from the scabbard in areas, and a tiny bend right at the very tip of the blade. Overall the polish on the blade is still relatively good, showing some light wear, as well as scattered oxidation staining on both sides, which we have made no attempt to polish out. Even with these stains the aspects of the blade are still easily visible in the light. Blade length is approximately 24 ½ inches and overall length 35 ⅜ inches. The katana has a handmade blade with a Futsu 普通 (regular) Nakago (tang) with Haagari (asymmetrical rounded) nakago-jiri (tang tip

The main edge Temper line (HAMON - 刃文) is fully visible, and is a very attractive YAHAZU MIDARE (矢筈乱れ - irregular arrow notched) MIDARE shape. Along the transition there are clear NIE crystals visible, with cloudy areas of NIOI in the body of the hamon, with other activity visible. The blade body (JI) has faint MASAMA HADA (柾目肌 - Straight Grain). The blade has a proper kissaki (tip) with a faint yokote (division between body and tip) and faint boshi (tip temper line), which we cannot determine the shape of. With the long delay for TOGISHI traditional sword polishers, blades that can be appreciated out of the box are definitely in demand.

The blade mountings are the classic WWII era Type 98 Army Shin-Gunto style, browned brass with gilt accents, which have mostly worn away. It has the typical rounded "quince" (mokko gata) 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 six metal seppa (spacers) around the tsuba to keep the fit tight, though it still wobbles a bit due to the handle shrinking. The blade collar (habaki) looks to be copper with a "rain" pattern on it.

The handle (tsuka) has an great Sa-Me (Stingray Skin) grip, which is fully intact. It has a complete golden brown Ito (cloth binding), which shows staining and wear from use, as well as some light fraying of the material. There is a single wooden securing peg (mekugi) still present, which is definitely a display replacement. The end of the handle has a steel loop through the end, which could be a period replacement.

The Scabbard (saya) is steel over wood, and in very good condition, with almost all of the original textured satin olive paint intact. It has only a few small scrapes with no major denting we can see, just a few shallow ones. It has the correct single hanger loop of the Type 98 style. The top fitting is inlet for a scabbard lock, however there is no lock on the hilt fittings of this example.

A very nice handmade Japanese Type 98 Shin-gunto by a known Seki arsenal maker, complete with a lovely scabbard! This is a real USGI bring-back from WWII, ready to research and display!

Specifications:
Blade Length: 24 ½"
Blade Style: Katana
Overall length: 35 ⅜“
Scabbard Length: 27 ¾"

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.