WW2 MARCH 1944 LUCKY DAY**Japanese Army Officer’s Type 98 Gunto Gendaito Traditionally Hand Forged Katana Sword With Smith Signed & Dated Tang ‘KANE NAGA’ Scabbard & Expert Assessment Sword

**WW2 MARCH 1944 LUCKY DAY**Japanese Army Officer’s Type 98 Gunto Gendaito Traditionally Hand Forged Katana Sword With Smith Signed & Dated Tang ‘KANE NAGA’ Scabbard & Expert Assessment. Sn 23713 - 23713

This sword has been assessed by a UK based Japanese sword expert Bill Tagg. His assessment accompanies this piece. In exerts from the assessment he states “A type 98 shingunto pattern army officers sword, with tachi mei signed by its maker kane Naga whose real name was amachi jin jiro born 1884 died 1958 worked as army smith. His Buddhist name was enkaku chikyo see markus sesko book for details pa/no 319. This is a gendaito (traditionally forged) using sand iron tama hagane and is very well made in vg/original polish, only some small wartime damage to edge & odd scratch, enjoy as it is or get it professionally polished. Saya (scabbard) metal parade some rust & missing paint, in reasonable used condition. Tsuba hand guard cast brass no gilt left has 4 unidentified makers marks/stamps. Tsuka (hilt) is complete with locking catch & saurute (knot loop). All its ito cotton binding & fish, but is dirty & has paint splatter. N.B. Small amount wood missing inside of bottom of wood liner. This blade is good quality and worth restoring”. In his notes Bill describes the cutting edge as just under 65cms length and overall length as 87.5 cms. He also translates the blade signature and date and describes other blade characteristics and dimensions. A previous owners notes which also accompany the sword contains images of the tang markings and state “Traditionally hand forged gendaito in high-quality gunto mounts. The blade has an excellent Bizen style choji hamon. A silver mon badge has been removed from the kabuto gane, presumably when the Japanese officer surrendered the sword. The smith Amachi Kanenaga worked in Seki during the war and died March 1958. Saya (scabbard) is inscribed "A Hynd" believed to be Scottish soldier Alexander Hynd who served in Burma at the battles of Kohima and Imphal, sword was found in a house clearance in the Lake district”. Bill comments on the notes “This paper came from previous owner/collector of sword I cannot see any name on saya ? The hole in bottom mount is for a missing screw”. The price for this excellent well marked Gendaito sword with expert assessment includes UK delivery. Sn 23713

£1,895.00