Original Item: One of a Kind. Recently purchased at a large military show, this is very interesting USGI Bring-Back Japanese officer Katana in "High Grade" 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 is handmade in the traditional fashion, and is several hundred years old. 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. It also has a very nice company grade rank tassel attached to the pommel.

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. This has completely removed the original file marks (yasurimi) on the tang, and given it a lovely look. There is also some patinated oxidation, a sign of great age. As there is no maker name on the tang, this blade is considered 無銘 (mumei), or "anonymous". We estimate that it is at least 200 years old, possibly more, probably from the middle Edo period.

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 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.

- Visible KIZU (blade wounds) throughout the body, only possible on traditionally made laminated 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 or bends on the edge that we can see, just some wear from the scabbard in areas. The polish is in good condition with some scuffing and staining scattered overall, with oxidation staining in a few areas, some of 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 inches and overall length 36 inches. The katana has a handmade blade with a Futsu 普通 (regular) Nakago (tang) with a Kuri-Jiri (Rounded) 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 MIDARE (乱れ - irregular) shape, with SUGU (straight) and GUNOME (zig zag) aspects in areas. Along the transition there are clear NIE crystals visible, with cloudy areas of NIOI in the body of the hamon. The blade body (JI) also has ITAME HADA (板目肌 - wood pattern steel grain), which is the shape of the texture on the blade surface. There are also numerous KIZU (blade wounds) including WARE lamination lines and FUKURE carbon pits or blisters, some of which are quite large. Looking at the blade, we can see some SHINTETSU core steel, signs of a possible “tired blade", which has been polished multiple times. Definitely some very interesting history to this blade!

The blade mountings are the classic WWII era "high grade" Type 98 Army Shin-Gunto style, brass with gilt accents, which like many we see are now faded due to wear. It has the typical rounded "quince" (mokko gata) shaped tsuba (cross guard), which is a high grade "perforated" style. The handle features brass Imperial Army cherry blossom menuki (grip decoration), and a nice Kabuto-Gane (Pommel Cap) with a copper 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 is also a lovely family crest on the pommel cap, which we have not been able to identify, so most likely the owner of the sword was a member of an old samurai family.

There are four metal seppa (spacers) around the tsuba to keep the fit tight, and under these much of the gilding is retained on the tsuba. All are inlet for the scabbard lock, which is fully functional. The blade collar (habaki) looks to be plated copper, and definitely is not the typical WWII type, so it is probably from an earlier set of fittings. Additionally, there is a star stamped into the reverse of the tsuba, and all Seppa, Tsuba, Fuchi, and Tsuka are marked with 十 三 久, indicating that they are a matched set, made for this blade.

The handle (tsuka) has an great Sa-Me (Stingray Skin) grip, which is fully intact. The brown ITO (cloth binding) however shows extensive use, and is now frayed and torn in some areas, showing a lot of soiling from sweat and oil. Some is missing, and some of the paper triangles installed under the wrapping to make it more prominent have fallen out, and will be included. There is a partial wooden securing peg present, which is splintered into some smaller fragments, and may be original.

Attached to the pommel cap loop is a Brown and Blue colored Tassel, which is in good service used condition. This signifies that this was carried by a "company grade" officer, which would be a Lieutenant or Captain rank. It is totally correct, still tied around the end loop, and looks to have seen long service, which has faded the colors.

The Scabbard (saya) is steel over wood, and in very good condition, having been protected by a leather field cover during the war. This has shrunk, and can no longer be removed from the scabbard without destroying it. The portions of the scabbard we can see show smooth brown finish, indicating early WWII production. Later examples would use a more olive colored textured paint. 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 lovely service used handmade Japanese Type 98 Shin-gunto, complete with a rank tassel, leather covered scabbard, and a family crest on the handle. Definitely some great research potential here, and it has a look that is impossible to duplicate! This is a real USGI bring-back from WWII, ready to display and cherish!

Specifications:
Blade Length: 26"
Blade Style: Katana
Overall length: 36“
Scabbard Length: 28 ⅝"

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.