Original Item: One of a Kind. Recently purchased at an estate sale, this is a great USGI Bring-Back wartime production Japanese officer Katana in the Type 98 Shin-Gunto (九八式軍刀 kyūhachi-shiki guntō) setting. These type of 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. It also has a very nice rank tassel attached to the pommel.

The blade on this example was hand forged, and the tang of the blade is signed (Mei) with the characters 谷 川 一 心, read as TANIGAWA ICHISHIN. Research indicates that this smith's real name was 谷川 慶治 - Tanigawa Keiji, so in this case "Tanigawa" was their family name, and "Ichishin" 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. Ichishin was active during the Showa Period and worked at Seki arsenal in Gifu, Mino Province (美濃国), and look to have made both arsenal forged and traditional blades. We have confirmed the signature (Oshigata) with other examples of his work.

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 relatively sharp and looks great. There are no nicks on the edge or dents that we can see, and very few signs of use or wear. Overall, the polish is in great shape, though there are signs of a few small areas light oxidation staining having been cleaned off with traditional Uchiko powder, made from the finest grit polishing stones. There is also a small area where it looks like a buffing pad was used, but otherwise the polish is intact. Blade length is approximately 24 1/2 inches and overall length 35 inches. The katana has a handmade blade with a Futsu 普通 (regular) Nakago (tang) with Naagari (asymmetrical rounded) nakago-jiri (tang tip).

Temper line (hamon) is fully visible, and is a very attractive GUNOME (zig zag) shape, which is clearly defined Along the transition there are clear NIE crystals visible, with cloudy areas of NIOI in the body of the hamon, and some great activity. The body of the blade (JI) also shows hada (grain), which is the MASAME (straight) pattern. The blade also has a proper kissaki (tip) with a clear yokote (division between body and tip) and boshi (tip temper line), which is of the KOMARU (small turn back) shape.

The blade mountings are the classic later WWII era Type 98 Army Shin-Gunto style, brass with gilt accents. 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 6 metal Seppa (spacers) around the cross guard to keep the fit tight. and all are inlet for the scabbard lock, as is the tsuba. The lock is present and functional, though it does not hold securely due to wear. The blade collar (habaki) is plated brass, typical of what we see on WWII era blades.

The handle (tsuka) has a great stingray skin (Sa-Me) grip, with the correct olive green Ito (cloth binding). The wrapping shows only light use, with just a bit of sweat and oil staining. There is a single wooden securing peg (mekugi) still present, which looks to be a post war replacement. The end cap has a brass loop attached, where the tassel is tied to. All six seppa and the tsuba have a pattern of for lines scratched into them, three parallel with the top one angled, indicating that they are a matched set. The handle is still tight to the blade, with just a bit of wobble in the cross guard.

The Scabbard (saya) on this example is lightweight aluminum over wood and in very good condition, with most of the original textured brown paint intact. Aluminum scabbards are usually only seen on high grade blades, such as this one. There are some areas where the paint has been scratched off by service wear, but there are not any major areas of oxidation. There are a few dents in the shell, which were much more common on the softer aluminum shell. It has the correct single hanger loop of the Type 98 style, and the top fitting is inlet for the scabbard lock on the hilt, which is worn, so it does not hold securely.

Attached to the pommel cap loop is a Brown and Blue colored Tassel, which is in very nice service worn condition, showing fading and fraying. This signifies that this was carried by a "company grade" officer, which would be a Lieutenant or Captain rank. It is in very good condition and totally correct.

An incredible handmade Japanese High Grade Type 98 Shin-gunto by a known maker, this is a real USGI bring-back from WWII, ready to display and cherish!

Specifications:
Blade Length: 24 1/2"
Blade Style: Katana
Overall length: 35“
Scabbard Length: 28"

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.