Japanese Company Officer Army Gunto Not For Sale
Showa 18th Nen (1943) 1st Gatsu (January)
Commissioned Company Officers Shin-gunto Type 98 Army Sword
Blade is signed by Kojima Katsumasa of Seki School



Blade cutting surface is 25-1/2" and is Ubu with one mounting hole. Overall length w/ scabbard is 39-5/8".

  

Beautiful officers sword tassel. It is goldish brown with blue/green on the hanger and knot with gold brown and blue on the tassel.

 

 
The wrapping lace is in very good condition with normal soiling.

 

An officer's Gunto is defined by "regulation of a military uniform".
The officer has chosen the blade freely. Therefore, a formal Gunto specifies a Koshirae (mounting).
The Army determined the foundations of a Koshirae and production companies manufactured the Koshirae respectively based on regulation.
  
            Mei: KATSUMASA                          "First Month of 18th Year of an Epoch of Showa" (January 1943)

Machine made blade, production number and stamp.



The grace of a Gunto mounting is based by the kind and number of washers.
This 'Company' grade mounting shows only two sets of seppa (two Dai seppa & two Ko-seppa)


The Tsuba is a mallow-shaped openwork design which is of earlier style used by field/company grade officers from mid to late 1930's



 
The motif of 'cherry blossoms and a leaf' on all koshirae pieces.
 

 

 Scarce WW2 Shin Gunto sword 'Saru-te' (sword knot loop).
 
The essence of an officer's Gunto is the sword of command at a field of battle, the symbol of status, and the sword of self-defense. The officer controlled his heart by carrying a Gunto. The Gunto was an officers strong emotional attachment and was the important general tool under pretense of the heart of Bushido.
Not For Sale
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