Original Item: One of a Kind. Recently purchased at an estate sale, this is a fantastic USGI Bring-Back wartime production Japanese Katana in an Army Civilian Employee Shin-Guntō (新軍刀, new military sword) setting. These type of fittings (KOSHIRAE) were for Civilian employees of the Imperial Japanese Army, and are a lot more variable than the usual Army Officer Type. They are much closer to traditional fittings, without the cherry blossom motifs seen on Officer swords. For more information please see the book Swords of Imperial Japan 1868-1945: Cyclopedia Edition by Jim Dawson, pages 206-211, where "Civilian Swords in Military Use" are discussed and pictured.

The blade on this example was hand forged, and the tang of the blade is signed (銘 - MEI) with the characters 天 秀, read as AMAHIDE, a known and well-respected smith. They also use the signature "一 文 字 天 秀 鍛 之", read as ICHIMONJI AMAHIDE KITAU KORE. This roughly translates to "Amahide Forged This", with "Ichimonji" being an honorific referring to the Fukuoka Ichimonji school of Bizen province, a legendary school. Research indicates that smith's real name was 福本 秀吉 - Fukumoto Hideyoshi, and their name appears in the Seki Tanrensho Booklet printed in 1939. Their teacher is listed as Kanenaga.

Amahide was active during the Showa Period and worked at Seki arsenal in Gifu, Mino Province (美濃国). 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. Amahide is rated at level 5, 中作 (CHU SAKU or Medium work) = 上工の列 (Joko no Retsu or Good Work). Blades by this smith are very well made compared to most made at Seki Arsenal, many of whom were not even rated. We have confirmed the signature (Oshigata) with other examples of his work. The tang has become oxidized from long storage, which has given it a lovely aged patina, though it has also completely removed the YASURIME (鑢目 - file marks).

The blade has the following period correct features, indicating it was forged in the traditional manner using folded steel made from TAMAGAHANE (玉鋼 - precious steel) smelted iron sand:

- Folded steel blade (fold lines are evident on the spine and body of the blade)
- Blade is signed on the tang by the maker ("Mei")
- Hole in the tang (mekugi-ana) is punched and not drilled
- Visible vibrant temper line (hamon) running full length of blade cutting edge, with crystallization visible (Nie and Nioi)
- Hada or Grain is visible throughout the blade surface.
- Blade has a proper geometric kissaki (tip).

Offered in excellent condition, the polish on the blade of this example is in great shape, showing little use since the last time it was polished. The aspects of the blade and temper line are easily seen in any type of light. It is still EXTREMELY sharp, and should be handled with care. There is some very minor denting to the blade, with some more pronounced at the tip, but no large chips or other damage, and just a bit of light scuffing in areas. The blade length is approximately 26 ¼" and the overall length is 37". It has a futsu 普通 (regular) Nakago with an Haagari (asymmetrical rounded) nakago-jiri (tang tip). The blade shape is SHINOGI-ZUKURI, which is the "standard" shape for most Katana and longer wakizashi.

The main edge HAMON (刃文 - wave or temper line) is fully visible, and is a very attractive SUGUHA - 直刃 (straight) shape, with a lot of internal activity. Lamination is clearly visible throughout the hamon. Along the transition there are clear NIE crystals visible, with cloudy areas of NIOI in the body of the hamon. The body of the blade (JI) also shows HADA (肌 - grain), which is the MASAME (柾目 - Straight) pattern, typical of showa era blades. The blade has a proper geometric KISSAKI (切先 - point of blade) with a clear YOKOTE (横手 - line between ji and kissaki). The BOSHI ( 帽子 - tip temper line) is of the Ō-MARU (大丸- large round turnback) shape, and is fully visible with a clear transition. This is really a fantastic looking blade, and would be truly excellent if not for the chipping. With the long delay for traditional togishi polishing, blades like this that are ready to display are definitely in demand.

The fittings are typical of what we see the Army Civilian Employee Shin-Gunto katanas and in this case are little different from those used during the earlier EDO period. The TSUBA (cross guard) is made of iron and is of the MARU GATA (丸形 - round shape), with a fantastic embossed DRAGON design, which has brass highlights on the eyes and teeth. It looks to be of relatively high quality design, and originally had two HITSU-ANA holes, one for the KOGAI hair ornament, and one for the KOZUKA handle of a KOGATANA knife. The former has been filled with a brass plug, and close examination of the opening for the blade shows that this cross guard is actually named! The "top" side is marked 山城國 = YAMASHIRO NO KUNI on the right, with 西 陣 住 = NISHIJIN JŪ on the left, and the bottom side has 埋忠 = UMETADA. This translates to "Umetada in Nishijin of Yamashiro Province), indicating the maker, just as it would on a sword tang. This is a FAMOUS garment district area outside of KYOTO, and they are a known maker!

We have shown the crossguard to experts, and based on the quality of the workmanship, unfortunately it is most likely a copy, either made from an original by Umetada, or by a lesser maker, and passed off as his. This is known as “false attribution”, or GIMEI (偽銘 - false name). This is an attempt to enhance the value of lesser makers or unsigned MUMEI (無銘- anonymous) fittings, and the more famous the maker, the more likely a signature is to be false. The cross guard is definitely quite old, and the marks may have been added long after it was made, so it is not any indication of the actual quality of the piece.

The TSUKA (handle) is in relatively good condition, and still retains the stingray skin (Sa-Me) grip, however the ITO grip wrapping is only a remnant, and the grip stays in place more by force of habit. The other fittings on the grip such as the MENUKI ornaments and KASHIRA end cap are missing, unfortunately lost to the ages. There is however still a leather collar around the grip which has a leather strap that would have been used on the field cover, which still has an intact female snap on the end. The HABAKI (blade collar) is single piece brass with some minor ornamentation, seen commonly on Showa era private purchase blades.

The SAYA scabbard is iron fitted wood, and is covered with a lovely matured brown leather field cover. It has had a brass hanger ring fitting with a brass ring installed, which is the common way to adapt "civilian" style mounts to military use. The leather cover is definitely in somewhat poor shape, and is now quite delicate. The top portion where a snap for the scabbard lock is has been lost, though this also shows that the lacquer finish on the scabbard was originally highly decorative. We also can see where there used to be a stamped Dymo-style label, with the name CHURCHILL, which we assume is the name of the person who brought it back, and then later in the 1960s added it the cover. It is possible that the sword was on display at some point, and they wanted to make sure it got back to the owner. Unfortunately we have no further information on who brought back the sword.

A lovely handmade Japanese Army Civilian Employee type Shin-gunto by a known maker with a great blade and very interesting history! This is a real USGI bring-back from WWII, ready to display and cherish!

Specifications:-
Blade Length: 26 ¼"
Blade Shape: Shinogi-Zukuri (鎬造)
Handle Length: 9 ½”
Overall length: 37“
Scabbard Length: 28 ½"

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.