Original Item: One of a Kind. Recently purchased at a large military auction, this is a great USGI Bring-Back Japanese officer Wakizashi Short Sword in simplified 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 is in good shape, and was 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. Regulations required that officer's carry full length Katana's, however to get around this, often Wakizashi short swords such as this were fitted with "false length" scabbards. This made it appear as though the officer was carrying the correct length blade.

This blade from 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. As the blade length is close to that of a Katana, and the blade is the "Shinogi-Zukuri" shape, some would term this an "Ō-Wakizashi".

This example has most likely been remounted several times, as was common for Japanese blades that are several hundred years old, which is why there are two holes on the tang. It also has suffered from significant oxidation, which was then cleaned away during refit. This has made the file marks (yasurime) on the tang faint, and given it a lovely patina. However, this also removed the top part of the mei, and it also looks like the sword has been shortened, cut down through the process of SURIAGE. If a blade is shortened, it can only be done from the tang end, to preserve the tip of the blade (kissaki) and tip temper line (boshi). The tang on such a blade is cut straight across at the bottom (kiri), which this example looks to be.

The portion of the mei that is still visible is relatively clear, and reads 住 國 廣 - JU KUNIHIRO, indicating that it was made by swordsmith Kunihiro. Chisel marks (tagane) are visible but the tagane-makura (raised area around the mei) are worn away. We have checked records, and there were several 17th century smiths using this name, as well as two during the Shōwa period, however this blade is definitely older than show period. Unfortunately from the information we have, there is no way for us to definitely identify which smith made this blade. Definitely some great potential for further research!

It was also a 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.

The blade is handmade and expertly crafted by a master sword maker, which we can tell due to a few tell tale characteristics that include:

- Punched (not drilled) holes in tang, which show age and patination around the edges.
- Blade is signed (partial) on the tang by the maker (mei)
- Vibrant visible temper line (hamon) at the edge of the blade with crystals visible as well as lots of activity.
- Blade shows "Hada" or grain, caused by the layers in the folded steel.
- Blade has a correct geometric Yokote at the tip (kissaki) with a Boshi (tip temper line)
- The Blade has lamination artifacts or "blade wounds" (kizu) such as ware (lamination lines), only possible on traditionally made blades.

Offered in very attractive condition, polish on the blade is still very good in most areas, allowing the aspects of the blade to be appreciated under normal lighting conditions. There are some areas of staining and oxidation, but they are only on the surface. Unfortunately at some point a previous owner took it upon themselves to "sharpen" the blade, with what looks to have been a standard kitchen knife style sharpener. This gave it a nice beveled edge, but also left markings on the edge, and was a completely improper way of sharpening. This has also made it VERY sharp, so care is definitely required when handling the blade.

Blade length is approximately 18 ¾ inches and overall length 29 ¼ inches. This classifies the sword as a long wakizashi (Japanese: 脇差, "side inserted [sword]"), which is a shorter version of the Katana, with a blade length between 12 and 24 in. Katanas must be longer than 2 shaku (Japanese: 尺), which is approximately 12 inches in length. We have seen a few wakizashi before in Shin-Gunto fittings, most likely family blades. As the length is on the longer side, and the blade is the "Shinogi-Zukuri" shape, some would term this an "O-Wakizashi". The Shin-Gunto has a handmade blade with a Futsu 普通 (regular) Nakago (tang) with a KIRI (cut) nakago-jiri (tang tip).

It has a vibrant temper line (刃文- HAMON), which is visible along the entire edge of the blade. The shape is a very attractive NOTARE MIDARE (湾れ乱れ - irregular wave like) type, which shimmers in the light. There is visible NIE crystallization at the edge of the temper line easily visible, as well as the correct NIOI cloudiness in the hamon. There is a lot of activity within the hamon, including some swirl type inclusions. The blade body (JI) also has MASAME HADA (柾目肌 - Straight Grain) which can be seen in the light. The kissaki (tip) still shows a clear YOKOTE with visible BOSHI (tip temper line), which looks to be the Ō-Maru (大丸 - large circle) shape. The blade has various KIZU (blade wounds), including WARE , which are lamination seams from the forging process, only possible on laminated steel.

The blade mountings are the classic WWII era Type 98 Army Shin-Gunto style, brass with gilt accents, which are now worn away as we often see. It has the typical rounded "quince" (mokko gata) shaped tsuba (cross guard) with brass Imperial Army cherry blossom menuki (grip decoration), and a nice Kabuto-Gane (Pommel Cap). 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 five metal Seppa (spacers) around the cross guard to keep the fit tight, and all are inlet for the scabbard lock, which is fully functional.

The handle (tsuka) has a very nice stingray skin (Sa-Me) grip, with the correct brown Ito (cloth binding). There is wear and some sweat and oil staining to the wrapping, so it definitely did see a good amount of use in the field. It still retains the original brass loop on the bottom of the pommel, and the single mekugi (peg) looks to be a replacement. The blade collar (habaki) is made from several pieces of copper, typical of Edo period blades.

The Scabbard (saya) is steel over wood, and in very good condition, with almost all of the original textured brown paint intact. It has only a few small scrapes, showing the red primer coat, and there are no major dents we can see or feel. The brass hardware also still has much of the original brown finish and gold highlighting present. 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 great Japanese Type 98 Shin-gunto Wakizashi with a handmade Edo Period blade by a known maker and "false length" scabbard! This is a real USGI bring-back from WWII, ready to research and display!

Specifications:-
Blade Length: 18 ¾”
Blade Style: Wakizashi - Shinogi-Zukuri
Overall length: 29 ¼"
Scabbard Length: 26 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.