WW2 NATIONAL TREASURE SMITH SIGNED & DATED*MINT FULL POLISH BLADE*SPECIAL ORDER*1940 Japanese Army Officer’s Type 98 Gunto Katana Gendaito Traditionally Hand Forged Sword By ‘NOSHU JU KANE NOBU’, Rank Tassel, Scabbard With Hanger Chain & Expert Asse Sword

WW2 NATIONAL TREASURE SMITH SIGNED & DATED*MINT FULL POLISH BLADE*SPECIAL ORDER*1940 Japanese Army Officer’s Type 98 Gunto Katana Gendaito Traditionally Hand Forged Sword By ‘NOSHU JU KANE NOBU’, Rank Tassel, Scabbard With Hanger Chain & Expert Assessment - 23714

This superb 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 shin gunto pattern army officers sword signed tachi side of nakago (tang) Noshu Ju Kane Nobu. A very skilled and important WW2 swordsmith (tosho). His real name was Niwa Shuji son of Niwa Kane Nobu. Born 1903 began his sword studies age 12. Was a rikugun jumei tosho probably in nagoya arsenal. Known to use Takano ha (hawks feather file marks) was granted the title of ‘an intangible cultural property of gifu prefecture’ in 1973. Rated in war period at 2 million yen in john sloughs book on swordsmiths see pg no 54. For genuine mei / shoshintei (copies of pages from Slough’s book referencing the Smith accompany the sword). In mint Japanese polish, a special order blade at 27¼” cutting edge. Scabbard gunto pattern, been top quality army green paint now rusty & missing paint with lots of war use. Tsuba quality cast brass lost its gilding and dirty stamped no 12. With several seppa and brass habaki collar. Tsuka (hilt) all complete with salute loop and Lt to Captains rank tassel + working locking catch binding intact but dirty with heavy use dirty fish skin couple missing pieces. A collectors sword by a well regarded 2nd war swordsmith who became even more famous in the 1970's. NB. Just below line, Kane Nobu did work in kokura arsenal, received a gold medal at new sword exhibition and technical award from the arsenal in 1943. Needs more research”. In his notes Bill describes the cutting edge as 69 cms length and overall length as 91 cms. He also translates the blade signature and date and describes other blade characteristics and dimensions, including Hawk’s feather file marks known to be used by the Smith and factory inspection marks on the spine of the tang (illustrated in image 2). A previous owners notes which also accompany the sword contains images of the tang markings and state “This is a traditionally forged handmade gendaito by Niwa Kane nobu who was born in 1903. Kane nobu was one of the best smiths in Seki and rated at 2 million yen. He was a swordsmith for over 60 years. In 1973 Kane nobu was officially designated an Important Intangible Cultural Property holder of Gifu Prefecture, recognizing him as a preserver of traditional Japanese sword forging and horimono engraving techniques. This designation placed him among a very small group of smiths whose craftsmanship was formally acknowledged as culturally significant. Excellent fresh polish with gunome midare hamon with much nie. Running itame hada. Gunto mount in good condition and has part of the original chain hanger left”. Bill comments on the notes “This Man Made High To Superior Grade Gendaito” and puts a ? after the notes mention of original hanger chain which is present on the scabbard. The price for this Gendaito sword, by a best quality famous Smith with expert assessment includes UK delivery. Sn 23714