Original Item: One of a Kind. Recently purchased at large military show, this is a very nice USGI Bring-Back wartime production Japanese Army 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.

This katana has something we rarely see: a heavily personalized scabbard cover, with long lines of kanji on both sides. These may give a name, a unit, location, dates, and possibly more! We unfortunately have not been able to translate the writing on the leather scabbard cover, but there are definitely several instances of numbers, so with some research the history of this sword may be able to be unraveled! We rarely get items with such great translation and research potential!

The blade on this example was hand forged, and the tang of the blade is signed (Mei) with the characters 森 国 俊 鍛 之, read as MORI KUNITOSHI KITAU KORE. This roughly translates to "Mori Kunitoshi forged this." Research indicates that this smith's real name was 森 国松 - Mori Kunimatsu, so in this case "Mori" was their family name, and "Kunitoshi" their "swordsmith name." We have seen many other smiths sign their swords in this fashion. In this case it also allowed them to use part of their actual given name in their swordsmith name.

Kunitoshi 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. 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. Kunitoshi is rated at rated at level 7, 下作 (GE SAKU or Lower Work) = 良工の列 (Ryoko no Retsu or Good work). Blades by this smith are definitely better than most Seki arsenal smiths, most of whom were not even rated.

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 十 一 月 吉 日. This would be read: SHOWA (current reigning emperor) Juu-Hachi Nen (18th year of reign - 1943) Juuichi-gatsu (11th Month - November). After this is Kichijitsu, or "a lucky day", commonly used on nengo. Of interest is that the kanji for "day" 日 is written in an archaic rounded shape.

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.

- Vibrant visible temper line ("hamon") with crystallization visible (Nie and Nioi).

- Blade is signed on the tang by the maker ("Mei").

- Blade has a correct geometric kissaki with a clear yokote and boshi (tip temper line).

- Blade has visible grain "hada" in the body of the blade by the edge (ji)

- The Blade has lamination artifacts or "blade wounds" (kizu) such as ware (lamination lines), only possible on traditionally made blades.

Offered in very good condition, the blade is still VERY sharp, with no nicks or other damage to the edge, so care should be taken while handling. The polish on the blade is in very good condition, showing some light staining in areas, but no real peppering or more advanced oxidation. The aspects of the blade are still easy to see. The handmade blade has a length of approximately 25 3/8 inches and overall length of 36 1/4 inches. It has a futsu 普通 (regular) Nakago with a Haagari (asymmetrical rounded) nakago-jiri (tang tip).

The temper line is still clear and vibrant, and is of the SUGUHA (straight) shape, with just a bit of waviness. There NIE crystals clearly visible at the transition, and the hamon has the correct NIOI cloudiness with some internal activity. The blade has a proper geometric kissaki (tip), with a crisp yokote showing the division between the rest of the blade. The boshi (tip temper line) is clear, and of the OOMARU (large turnback type). The blade body (JI) shows some grain (hada), which is the straight (masame) type. There are also a few blade wounds (kizu) visible, mostly very fine lamination lines (ware). Really a great blade on this katana!

The blade mountings are the classic later WWII era Type 98 Army Shin-Gunto style, brass with gilt accents. Rounded "quince" shaped (mokko gata) 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 4 Seppa (spacers) around the cross guard to keep the fit tight. There is also a leather spacer with a broken strap on it, which goes through the tsuba. This was originally used to secure the scabbard to the handle. The blade collar (habaki) is brass, and is the standard shape usually seen on WWII production blades.

The handle (tsuka) has a very nice stingray skin (Sa-Me) grip, with the correct brown Ito (cloth binding). It is in great shape, which may mean that it was re-wrapped sometime post war, as it is a darker brown than we usually see. It was however expertly done, and looks and feels great! The original metal loop is still present on the end of the tsuka, attached through the kabuto-gane. There is a single wooden securing peg (mekugi) still present, which is most likely post war replacement.

The scabbard is of relatively simple construction, made from two halves of unpainted wood joined together, without any enamel paint or other ornamentation. THere is a simple metal band around the scabbard throat to stabilize it, and there is an iron hanger ring and mounting band below. This is under the lovely personalized leather scabbard cover mentioned before, which has a snap on one side. This used to connect to the leather seppa strap that goes through the crossguard, but unfortunately it has born and lost the female snap end.

A great handmade Japanese Type 98 Shin-gunto katana by a known rated maker, with the blade still in very good polish, and a fantastic personalized scabbard! This is a real USGI bring-back from WWII, ready to display and cherish!

Specifications:
Blade Length: 25 3/8"
Blade Shape: Shinogi-Zukuri
Overall length: 36 1/4“
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 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.