Original Item: One of a Kind. Recently purchased at a military show, this is lovely service used 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 looks to have been arsenal forged, and the tang of the blade is signed (Mei) with the characters 関 正 行, which is read as SEKI MASAYUKI, meaning it was made at Seki by the smith named Masayuki.This smith's real name was 三輪 友雄 - Miwa Tomoo, and their name appears in the Seki Tanrensho Booklet printed in 1939. Masayuki was active during the Showa Period and worked at Seki arsenal in Gifu, Mino Province (美濃国), and look to have made mostly arsenal forged blades. We have confirmed the signature with other examples of his work. There is also a 昭 (SHOWA) cherry blossom civil inspection stamp about 1/2" above the peg hole to the right. 

Offered in very good condition, the blade is still quite sharp, however it has suffered surface staining in many areas from lack of cleaning and oiling over a long period of time. There is no major pit rusting or anything beyond the surface, but the original polish is definitely degraded in many areas, replaced with a mottled look to the blade. This has made aspects of the blade difficult to see in some areas, and it definitely looks to have seen real service during the war. The edge shows a bit of wear, with some scuffing, but no major chips or dents. Blade length is approximately 26 inches and overall length 36 ¾ inches.

The katana has an arsenal forged blade with a FUTSU (普通 - regular) NAKAGO (中心 - tang) with a HAAGARI (asymmetrical rounded) NAKAGO-JIRI (茎尻 - tang tip).The blade has a proper kissaki (tip) with a faint YOKOTE (横手 - division between body and tip), however the BOSHI (帽子 - tip temper line) is not clear. The main edge Temper line (HAMON - 刃文) is fully visible, and is a very attractive SUGUHA (直刃 -straight) shape, which is most likely from oil tempering. This is standard for arsenal forged blades.

The blade mountings are somewhat simplified  WWII era Type 98 Army Shin-Gunto style, most likely made later in the war. The metalwork is of brass, and possibly originally had gilt accents, however these are now gone. It has the typical rounded brass "quince" (mokko gata) shaped tsuba (cross guard), which has a hole cut into one side for a scabbard lock strap. It also features brass Imperial Army cherry blossom menuki (grip decorations), and a nice Kabuto-Gane (Pommel Cap) with an intact bent steel loop. The cross guard and pommel cap have matching cherry blossom motifs, which are also found on the scabbard fittings, and probably on the fuchi (throat), however it is tightly covered with leather so we cannot see them. There are three metal seppa (spacers) around the tsuba to keep the fit tight. The blade collar (habaki) looks to be the standard brass alloy.

The handle (tsuka) has a very nice Sa-Me (Stingray Skin) grip, which is mostly intact, and looks to be made from actual ray skin.. It has a complete golden brown Ito (cloth binding), which shows light overall wear from use in the field. There is a single wooden securing peg (mekugi) still present, which is definitely a display replacement. The leather strap wrapped around the fuchi is the remains of the scabbard lock, which originally had a strap going to the snap on the leather cover of the scabbard, however this is now missing.

The Scabbard (saya) on this example is wood, covered with a leather field cover, often seen on swords refit later in the war, as they required far less materials and production time. The leather has aged to a lovely dark brown color, and while there is some cracking to the finish, it does not show any major dry rot or other damage. It is secured to the scabbard by three snaps at the top, and has now shrunk so that it cannot be removed.The scabbard under the cover looks to have been unfinished, with an iron KOIGUCHI scabbard mouth fitting, and a KURIKATA knob that is now broken off and missing. It has a brass hanger loop and fitting under the cover, which has a hanger clip attached to it, which would usually be attached to a belt (missing).

A very nice service used Japanese Type 98 Shin-gunto by a known maker, showing some great period wear. This is a real USGI bring-back from WWII, ready to display and cherish!

Specifications:
Blade Length: 25 ¾”
Blade Style: Shinogi-Zukuri (鎬造) Katana
Overall length: 36 ¾“
Scabbard Length: 29 ¼”

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.