SUPERIOR MASTER SMITH**WW2 Japanese Officer’s Samurai Family Shin Gunto Type 98 Gendaito Sword With Smith Signed Tang ‘ISHIDO TERU HIDE SAKU’, Scabbard & Expert Assessment. Sn 23484:10 Sword

**SUPERIOR MASTER SMITH**WW2 Japanese Officer’s Samurai Family Shin Gunto Type 98 Gendaito Sword With Smith Signed Tang ‘ISHIDO TERU HIDE SAKU’, Scabbard & Expert Assessment. Sn 23484:10 - 23484:10

An original Shin Gunto Japanese type 98 sword with hand forged gendaito blade. 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 army Officer’s sword with gendaito water tempered blade made with Japanese sand iron This blade is not dated but appears to be late war 43/44 with the 2 mekugi ana. Genuine signature (shoshinmei) ‘ISHIDO (school / family)TERU HIDE (art name) SAKU’ (made this). See Sesko’s book on swordsmiths, rated making medium grade gendai given rating superior master by judge Aki Hide in 1941 when he won 1st seat. He was also an army approved smith. The blade is covered in fine scratches which obscure the temperline hamon and any grain. Needs a professional polish to take out tiny chips and reveal forging detail. Saya gunto parade no gilt on mounts but has all its military green paint. Tsuba quality gunto pattern in good condition still got gilt & finish with multi castellated seppa either side. Completely working locking catch and quality sarute loop. Fixed on top mount of handle is silver mon badge of Samurai family clan badge. A good example of a mid to late war gendaito by a known smith’. In his illustrations of the tang and blade he describes the cutting edge of the blade length as 66 cm & full length as 88 cm. He also translates the tang signature and describes other blade characteristics and dimensions (illustrated in image 2). The price includes UK delivery. Sn 23484:10

£1,975.00