Original Pre World War Two Imperial Japanese Army Officer’s Type 98 Shin Gunto Katana Sword.
USGI Bring-Back wartime production High Grade 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 unsigned 無名 (mumei) and appears to be handmade in the traditional fashion. A Shin-Guntō (新軍刀, Gun - Military, Tō - Sword, Shin - New = 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 was hand forged in the traditional fashion, most likely in the mid 1930s. The tang shows an aged patina with some rust scaling, and the Kiri type yasurime file marks. It has only one hole in the tang (mekugi-ana) so it was not refit during its life.
The tang is unsigned 無名 (mumei), or "anonymous", however it is certainly handmade in the traditional fashion. Many excellent blades do not have a signature, and the presence (or absence) of one has no relation to how it was forged, or the quality.
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 geometric tip (kissaki) with a yokote separating the body of the blade from the end, and shows with a correct Boshi (tip temper line)
- Blade has visible grain "hada" in the body of the blade by the edge (ji)
- Blade has kizu, or "wounds" in areas, only possible with laminated steel.
Offered in very good condition, the blade is still quite sharp and looks great. The polish is in very good condition, and the aspects of the hamon are still easy to see. There are some light scuffs and speckled light staining near the tip, but otherwise it's lovely. The edge is still VERY sharp, so handle with care. There are no bends, dents, chips, or other edge issues that we can see. Blade length is approximately 26 1/8 inches and overall length of 37 1/7 inches. The katana has a handmade blade with a Futsu 普通 (regular) Nakago (tang) with a Haagari (asymmetrically rounded) nakago-jiri.
The temper line is still very clear, along the transition there are clear NIE crystals visible, with cloudy areas of NIOI in the body of the hamon. There is a ton of internal activity, with the crystallization easily visible to the naked eye.
The tip temper line (BOSHI) is visible, and looks to be a HAKIKAKE (brush stroke) type, which also shows a bit of a turn back. The yokote is is still clear, and the blade has a proper geometric kissaki (tip). The blade body (JI) shows some grain (HATA), which is the ITAME (wood grain) type. There are also some blade wounds (KIZU) including WARE (lamination lines) as well as some FUKURE (carbon pits), only possible on traditionally made blades. This is really a fantastic looking blade! With the long delay for traditional togishi polishing, blades like this that are ready to display are definitely in demand.
The blade mountings (koshirae) are in very good condition, and are the classic "high grade" WWII era Type 98 Army Shin-Gunto style, browned brass with gilt accents. These include a perforated rounded "quince" shaped tsuba (cross guard), only seen on high grade fittings. There are also brass Imperial Army cherry blossom menuki (grip decorations), and a nice Kabuto-Gane (Pommel Cap), which still retains the 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 4 Seppa (spacers) around the cross guard to keep the fit tight. Some are inlet for the scabbard lock. Also the Tsuba and some of the seppa are marked with matching number 六 一 八 (8), so they were originally part of a matched set.
The blade collar (HABAKI) is a lovely golden color example, with a lovely "rain" texture on the lower half. This is definitely not a WWII production collar, and probably is from an earlier fitting of the blade. The handle (tsuka) has a great stingray skin (Sa-Me) grip, with the correct golden brown Ito (cloth binding). The wrapping is in great shape, with just a bit of wear, and no major staining or fraying. There is a single wooden securing peg (mekugi) still present and original, which is unfortunately broke in half but still does its job.
The Scabbard (saya) is steel over wood, and is in excellent condition, with almost all of the original paint intact. It has a nice brown textured paint job, which is just lovely. It has the correct single hanger loop of the Type 98 style, and the top fitting is inlet for a scabbard lock It does not have any major dents or other damage, and is definitely one of the best scabbards we have seen.
A fantastic handmade Japanese Type 98 Shin-gunto. This is a real USGI bring-back from WWII, ready to display and cherish!
