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Item Description: I am pleased to offer this original hand-made Japanese army officers Samurai sword from World War 2. The blade represents the opportunity to own a high quality Gendaito katana with expertly carved Dragon Horimono in high end WW2-era Shin Gunto mounts with a blue/brown tassel. The blade and the mountings are in Near MINT condition. The sword has a blade length of 26 inches (66cm). The blade features very high quality horimono, or carvings. On one side, the blade shows a well-engraved horimono of a Shin no Kurikara, or dragon winding around a sword. On the other side, the blade shows gomabashi grooves and a tsume, or claw. The sword is well-constructed showing a well-crafted and tight ko-itame hada that mixes with a running masame hada along the hamon. The hamon is an active Rai-style gunome hamon that is based on suguha. The hamon is present the length of the blade through the kissaki where it ends in a maru boshi. The hamon features very fine actvities like ko-ashi and nie hotsure in and along the hamon.

The tang is mumei, or unsigned and is ubu, or unshortened. The blade also shows ubu-ba at the hamachi, indicating the sword is in its original polish. Given the sword’s health, it is a gendaito, made in the early 1900’s before the war. Based on the workmanship and high quality horimono, the sword was likely made by a top gendaito swordsmith like Kasama Shigetsugu. Amongst his many other skills, Shigetsugu was known for his high quality horimono. The quality of horimono on this sword are at the highest levels for gendaito.

The mountings are Type 98 Shin Gunto and in Near MINT condition. The tsuka is silk-cord wrapped with cherry blossom menuki. There is little to no fraying. There is a blue and brown company officer’s tassel attached to the tsuka. The tsuba is classic WW2 with four accompanying metal seppa. The saya (scabbard) is green painted metal. It shows a couple small dents and a few small scattered spots of missing finish, retaining roughly 95-97% original finish. The locking mechanism is present. The blade is in Near MINT condition. There are a couple very small micro nicks, a few scattered very small spots of rust, and a few scratches along the blades length. There are no major flaws like hagire.

Given the age, history, and exceptional workmanship, I highly recommend this piece to a collector of WW2 militaria or Japanese swords.

Terms and additional items: This item is original and not a knockoff or fake. The analysis regarding swordsmith listed above is my own and while I think I am accurate, I can not guarantee that aspect as I am not an expert from NBTHK. No reserve so please bid with confidence and let me know if you have questions. I can send additional detailed photos upon request. Payment is to be made within 7 days of auctions end. If payment is not received in 7 days we will re-list the item and file a non-paying claim with ebay. Bidders must be 18 years of age or older. We reserve the right to cancel unwelcome bids. This item is not for sale where prohibited. Please review the pictures closely and ask any questions before end of auction. More pictures are available and discounts after the auction closes are not supported or allowed. Bidder pays the shipping and insurance fees for USPS Priority within the U.S. and Express Mail International outside the U.S. Virginia residents are subject to 5.3% sales tax.

Thanks very much for the purchase! Please remember to leave positive feedback if you feel satisfied with your purchase. I will ship within 24 hours of payment.