WW2 Japanese Officer's Type 98 Shin Gunto Katana Sword With Gendaito Hand Forged Blade Smith Signed Tang ‘ISHIDO TERU HIDE SAKU’, Scabbard & Expert Assessment. ED 3016 Sword

WW2 Japanese Officer's Type 98 Shin Gunto Katana Sword With Gendaito Hand Forged Blade Smith Signed Tang ‘ISHIDO TERU HIDE SAKU’, Scabbard & Expert Assessment. ED 3016 - ED 3016

An original WW2 Japanese Officer's Type 98 Sword with smith signed tang and scabbard. 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 army shin gunto officer’s sword, blade signed ‘ISHIDO TERU HIDE SAKU’. There were 3 men using this art name (go) all made gendaito hand forged traditional blades. 2 were brothers from Saitama prefecture North of Tokyo. This man claimed descent from Musashi Daijo Kore Kazu, made many swords for high ranking officers. Listed as having an exclusive seat in 1943 Smiths ranking by Nihon Token Tanren Jo & Ni Hon Token Shin Bun Shi. A blade by him recently got hozen papers by NBTHK. A true Gendaito., see notes by Chris Bowen & AOI Arts for info, also Markus Sesko books pages 196-197, John Slough page 171 and Fuller & Gregory list No. 193 / 291. Needs a polish to bring out forging details. Saya gunto parade steel, brown pait lots of knocks and marks with use. No gilt left on mounts. Tsuba die stamped brass gunto pattern stamped Number 3 as are seppa, no finish left. Tsuka good quality gunto pattern with rare Monkey hand sarute loop. Locking catch missing and missing fish skin in places. Binding intact but dirty. Lots of information on this man. Worthy of restoration”. In his illustrations Bill translates the tang signature. He measures the cutting edge as just over 66 cms, total length 88 cms and describes other blade and tang measurements & characteristics which can be seen in image 2. The price includes UK delivery. ED 3016

£1,825.00