This is a very strong example of the late war Japanese Shin-Gunto or “new military sword” showing the use of simplified decoration and production methods and rating near excellent for condition, with bright blade and both hilt and scabbard mounted with blackened fittings showing simple five-petal cherry blossoms.

The pommel cap omits the pivoting loop for the sword knot and uses a simple hole for it instead. The grip is bound with a medium brown color cord in very good condition, showing no wear or shredding, bound so as to show some of the white rayskin wrap, and has the menuki in place, which is a simple oval with three cherry blossom petals. The fuchi (sleeve or ferrule) has a simple dot design, imitating leather to a degree, with two narrow, long leaves on either side. The tsuba (guard) is plain, solid, steel with a copper wash, possibly to inhibit rust, but also to imitate brass and improve the blackening. The seppa (spacer or washer on the front of the guard) is white metal impressed with a simple border of raised ovals. The habaki (blade sleeve) is brass and shows bright gilt, complementing the bright blade, which is in excellent condition and omits any attempt at an artistic temper line, using a simple, straight line near the edge instead.

The scabbard is painted tan or gold-brown, and has blackened mounts matching the hilt. The scabbard body shows just some small flakes or scratches. The throat (koiguchi) and carrying ring band have some of the same impressed dot design as the fuchi, and the carrying ring band is deeply contoured with the top cast as overlapping rings. There is slight wear to the blackened finish in places on the throat and scabbard tip, more on the carrying ring mount, showing a slight brass tone as on the tsuba, likely the same copper wash over steel, with the carrying ring, also steel, showing the brass/copper finish only. The scabbard tip (kojiri) shows a cherry blossom on a stippled ground, with a some rubbing to the center of the flower making it appear slightly gray or silver.

The condition overall rates near excellent, showing just some rubbing or wear to the blackening of the mounts and some tiny flakes to the scabbard paint. It would make a good addition to a World War Two collection and a nice variation in a collection of Japanese swords.  [sr] [ph:L]

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