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.

This example is a bit different than example we have had before, and is an example of a KOA ISSHIN MANTETSU Shin-gunto, dated to Fall 1942. These swords were made from "Mantetsu", or Chinese "Manchurian Steel", which was made in occupied China. The steel was very popular with wartime sword smiths.

The Tang on the blade is marked with the kanji 興 亜 一 心 満 鐵 作 , which reads KOA ISSHIN MANTETSU SAKU. which says that it is made from Manchurian Steel. There is some debate as to what "KOA ISSHIN" really translates to, mainly whether it is a sword smith name, or patriotic slogan. "Koa Isshin" can be translated as "Asia-one heart" - a good patriotic slogan for Japan during WW II. It may also be referring to the "Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere", Japan's version of the Monroe doctrine, which began in 1932 with Japan's occupation of Manchuria.

While this is technically the "commercial" marking for a Mantetsu blade, in 1942 only there were army contract blades seen with this marking, and not the "Mantetsu Tsukuru Kore" marking usually seen on army blades. The tang also has the correct M marking on the bottom, and a 東 "TO" stamp on the pommel cap, which are again correct for a Commercially marked Military contract blade.

The blade is also dated on the tang with: 昭 和 壬 午 秋, which is read Showa Mizunoe-Uma Aki, or the Fall of 1942. This is in the Japanese "Zodiac" format, which is a 60 year repeating cycle involving Twelve animals and the Five elements. Mizu means "water" and Uma means "horse", so 1942 was the year of the Horse with the element water. This is the standard type of date used on Mantetsu blades. The spine of this blade is marked ク 四 六 六 , which reads "KU" 4 6 6, for the 28th series, number 466. From research we have found that examples of "ku" blades will all have the Fall 1942 marking.

For more information please see this page on the Japanese Sword Index, which has a lot of information on these swords: KOA ISSHIN MANTETSU.

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)

Offered in very good condition condition, the blade is still sharp and looks great. There are just a few areas of light oxidation and staining, and the edge does not have any nicks or dents that we can see. Blade length is approximately 26 1/8 inches and overall length 37 inches.  The katana has a handmade blade with a Futsu 普通 (regular) Nakago (tang) with kurijiri ( rounded) nakago-jiri (tang tip). It has a proper kissaki (tip) with a clear yokote (division between body and tip). Temper line (hamon) is fully visible, and is a very attractive SUGU (straight) shape. The tip temper line (boshi) is clear, and is a small circle (komaru) style.

The blade mountings are the classic later WWII era Type 98 Army Shin-Gunto style, brass with gilt accents. Rounded "quince" 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 4 Seppa (spacers) around the cross guard to keep the fit tight, and all are inleted for the scabbard lock, which is fully functional. The blade collar (habaki) looks to be the standard gold colored bronze alloy.

The handle (tsuka) has an nice stingray skin (Sa-Me) grip, which is fully intact, though the skin has shrunk a bit. It has a complete Ito (cloth binding), which shows light wear, with just some light staining. There is a single wooden securing peg (mekugi) still present, which looks to be an original. The Scabbard (saya) is steel over wood, and in very nice condition, with much of the original paint intact, though it is painted black, not the standard brown. It may have been repainted during wartime, and the fittings show no sign of being removed. It has only a few small dents and scrapes, and has the correct single hanger loop of the Type 98 style. The top fitting is inleted for the scabbard lock on the hilt.

The number 2 3 4 is stamped into almost all of the fittings, and on the blade tang as well, indicating that this was an original matched set made to go together with this particular sword. There may have been markings on the inside of the saya, but they are no longer visible due to wear on the wood interior. 

An incredible Japanese Type 98 Shin-gunto with lots of history, made with with high grade "Manchurian" steel! This is a real USGI bring-back from WWII, ready to display and cherish!

Specifications:
Blade Length: 26 1/8"
Blade Style: Katana
Overall length: 37“
Scabbard Length: 28 1/2"

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.