
 |
**MASTER SMITH**WW2 Japanese Officer's Type 98 Shin Gunto Seki Arsenal Katana Sword With Smith Signed Tang ‘Shinoda Uji Fusa’, Rare Period Expensive Aluminium Scabbard & Expert Assessment. Sn 23322 - 23322 An original WW2 dated Japanese Officer's Sword with signed tang. The sword has been assessed by UK Japanese sword expert Bill Tagg. A copy of his hand written notes and illustrations accompany the sword. In extracts from his notes he states “A Type 98 shin gunto pattern army officer’s sword. Blade is a showato, oil–tempered arsenal–produced blade. This smith also worked in take¬ yama sword forging place using yasuki sand iron (known maker of gendaito traditionally forged blades). Maker: shinoda Uji Fusa pupil of watanabe kane naga & kato jumyo, both rated swordsmiths. Uji fusa won 3rd seat in 1941 competition. Rated as joko no retsu (master smith). This blade has a seki arsenal inspection stamp so is not a gendaito. Blade is in bright but scratched condition obscuring the forging details. Appears to have a small bumpy temperline gunome midare with nioi edge to it when looked at in bright sunlight, needs professional polish. Saya metal (aluminium) expensive in its day – you always have problems keeping the paint on this type as it seems to fall away easily. This has been repainted in army colours (used condition). Tsuba is mokko (4 lobed) iron plate been blackened finish no decoration. Made showa period 1940-45. Multiple seppa all number 15 apart from odd one. Tsuka is good but used / carried condition. Has broken locking catch, also has wire sarute loop for tassel (original). Reference: markus sesko book on Japanese sword smiths page 249 & fuller & gregory. Lists of Japanese sword smiths oshigata 156–3, 38–366, 352. Lots of info in books on this man, a trained tosho by two very good masters”. In his illustrations Bill translates the tang signature and identifies an arsenal mark. He describes the cutting edge as 65 cm length and total length 89 cm. He also describes and illustrates other blade measurements and characteristics (illustrated in image 2). The price includes UK delivery. Sn 23322
£1,250.00
|
 |