Original Item: One of a Kind. Recently purchased at a large military show, this is very interesting USGI Bring-Back Japanese officer Katana in 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.

This blade on this example dates from the Edo period (江戸時代, Edo jidai) or Tokugawa period (徳川時代, Tokugawa jidai) of Japanese history. This is the period between 1603 and 1867, when Japan was under the rule of the Tokugawa shogunate and the country's 300 regional daimyo. It was common practice for swords to be passed down for generations, particularly ones that were of high quality. These would be re-polished and re-fit numerous times, as steel was precious and swords were expensive. This continued up into WWII, which is possibly how this blade found it's way into WWII "Shin-Gunto" fittings. There also was an official Japanese program during the war for families with no sons to donate their swords towards the war effort.

This example has most likely been remounted several times, as was common for Japanese blades that are several hundred years old. There are two holes in the tang, so we know it was mounted at least two times. Age and wear have made the file marks (yasurimi) on the tang faint, and given it a lovely patina. Chisel marks (tagane) are visible and the tagane-makura (raised area around the mei) are as well, so this was most likely made towards the end of the Edo Period.

The mei (signature) on the blade is still easy to read, and is marked 重 国 - read as SHIGEKUNI. The second character is a simplified kanji for 國, and this smith, or whoever marked the blades, looks to have used both 重 国 and 重 國. There are not many known smiths using this name, and there was a lineage in the Monju school in Kii province during the early to middle Edo Period. This could be a later member of this lineage, or possibly another smith altogether. Definitely some great research potential in this blade.

The blade is handmade and was expertly crafted by a sword maker, which is indicated by a few tell-tale characteristics that include:

- Holes in the tang are 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, only possible on traditionally made blades.

Offered in very good condition, the blade is still quite sharp in most areas, so it should be handled with care. There are no nicks on the edge that we can see, just some wear from the scabbard in areas. The polish is in very good condition with some scuffing and staining scattered overall, with a bit of more advanced oxidation in a few areas, which was cleaned away. Aspects of the blade are relatively easy to see in the light, though it does look like it was cleaned with uchiko powder since last polishing. Blade length is approximately 26 ⅜ inches and overall length 37 ⅞ inches. The katana has a handmade blade with a Futsu 普通 (regular) Nakago (tang) with a Iriyamagata (asymmetrical pointed) nakago-jiri (tang tip.

The blade has a proper geometric kissaki (tip) with a faint yokote (division between body and tip) and boshi (tip temper line), though we cannot see what shape it is. The main edge Temper line (HAMON - 刃文) is mostly visible, and is a very attractive SUGUHA (直刃 - straight ) shape, with just a bit of undulation in areas. Along the transition there are clear NIE crystals visible, with cloudy areas of NIOI in the body of the hamon. There is also some nice activity within the hamon, including ASHI, which are lines of NIOI that run from the temper line transition. The blade body (JI) also has MASAME (柾目肌 - straight grain), which is the shape of the texture on the blade surface. Really a very nice blade that is ready to appreciate out of the box.

The blade mountings are the classic WWII era Type 98 Army Shin-Gunto style, brass with gilt accents, which are actually still retained in many areas! It has the typical rounded "quince" (mokko gata) shaped tsuba (cross guard). The handle features brass Imperial Army cherry blossom menuki (grip decoration), and a nice Kabuto-Gane (Pommel Cap) with a brass end loop. 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 six metal seppa (spacers) around the tsuba to keep the fit tight, though it is now just a bit loose due to wear and the handle shrinking. All are inlet for the scabbard lock, which is fully functional. The blade collar (habaki) looks to be silver plated copper, and definitely is not the typical WWII type, so it is probably from an earlier set of fittings, or possibly the original set. It has a "rain" pattern typical of the late Edo Period. The handle (tsuka) has an great Sa-Me (Stingray Skin) grip, which is fully intact. It has a complete golden brown Ito (cloth binding), which shows only light staining and wear. There is a single wooden securing peg (mekugi) still present, which is definitely a display replacement.

The Scabbard (saya) is steel over wood, and in very good condition, with almost all of the original textured paint intact. It has only a few small scrapes, though there is a small dent on the right side just above the fitting for the hanger ring. The scabbard has the correct single hanger loop of the Type 98 style. The top fitting is inlet for the scabbard lock on the hilt, and the lock works correctly.

A very nice handmade Japanese Type 98 Shin-gunto by a known maker with research potential, complete with a lovely scabbard! This is a real USGI bring-back from WWII, ready to display and cherish!

Specifications:
Blade Length: 26 ⅜"
Blade Style: Katana
Overall length: 37 ⅞“
Scabbard Length: 29 ⅜"

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.