Blade Smith Signed Tang ‘Uno Yoshi Shin-Gunto Seki Arsenal Katana Sword With Quality Oil Quenched Blade Smith Signe Other Blades

FULL POLISH, WW2 Japanese Officer's Shin-Gunto Seki Arsenal Katana Sword With Quality Oil Quenched Blade Smith Signed Tang ‘Uno Yoshi Oki’, Officer’s Tasselled Cord, Steel Scabbard & Expert Assessment Notes. Sn 16944 - 16944

An original WW2 Japanese Officer's Sword. The Shin-Gunto Katana’s blade has a cutting edge of 25 ¾”.The tang is signed on one side with crisp Smith’s name in Japanese script characters. The signature has been translated and the sword assessed by UK Japanese sword expert Bill Tagg. His hand written notes accompany the sword. In extracts from his notes he states “A Japanese Army Officer’s Shin Gunto, Locking catch has some wood missing around the catch. Has original sarute (knot loop) clenched hands. Hamon is choji midare (undulating) with nioi crystals. Typical Seki (Arsenal) work. An oil quenched bar stock steel blade’. The notes contain a rubbing of the blade signature which Bill has translated as reading “Uno Yoshi Oki” (working showa period, real name ‘Ueno Yakichi’ only mentioned in one book) and he references Markus Sesko Swordsmith’s of Japan page No. 441. The blade of this sword is in full polish. The dark binding over the shagreen handle is complete and intact and all the fittings are original, correct and present (illustrated). It has a heavy brass tsuba. The hilt is fitted with original officers tasselled cord. The cord has areas of service wear. The finish of the steel scabbard has some surface wear but no damage. The price includes UK delivery. Sn 16944

£1,295.00