Ordering Number: AS26346

Katana in Military Sword Koshirae (Gunto Koshirae)

Signature: Mumei (Unsigned)
無銘

(We divide 4 sections for each sword as Saijyo Saku, Jyojyo Saku, Jyo Saku and Regular Saku).
This blade is ranked as Regular Saku among unsigned works.

Habaki:
Blade Length: 2 shaku 2 sun 2 bu, approximately 67.27 cm (26.48 in).
Curvature: 6 bu, approximately 1.82 cm (0.72 in).
Mekugi Hole: 1.
Width at Base (Motohaba): 3.03 cm (1.19 in).
Width at Yokote: 2.10 cm (0.83 in).
Thickness of rim (Kasane): 0.60 cm (0.24 in).
Sword Weight: 760 g.

Era: Showa period, during World War II (1939–1945).

Shape: A robust katana with a wide mihaba, substantial kasane, and an elongated kissaki.

Jigane: The forging appears to be somewhat insufficient, and we believe this blade is a partially forged sword, commonly referred to as a Han-Tanren-to.

Hamon: Nioi-deki gunome-midare.
The boshi forms a rounded tip with a turnback.

Features: Generally, non-traditionally forged swords (Mu-Tanren-to) bear markings such as the Showa stamp, Seki stamp, or anchor mark, indicating their classification as non-traditionally forged swords.
However, swords bearing the anchor mark were forged, so we believe they may qualify for registration in Japan.

Other types of non-traditionally forged swords are subject to confiscation during the registration examination.
Similarly, Mantetsu-to swords manufactured in Manchuria are not eligible for registration in Japan.

Koshirae: Imperial Japanese Army Gunto Koshirae.

Aoi Art’s Comment: Regarding Japanese swords produced during World War II.

During the war, some officers and non-commissioned officers in the Japanese military carried Japanese swords.
Most Japanese Army swords survived the war, but relatively few Japanese Navy swords remain today because so many naval vessels were sunk.

War is a cruel tragedy that separates countless families and takes the lives of many people.
We sincerely hope that humanity will firmly resolve never to allow such a war to happen again.

AoiArt estimation paper: Whole Oshigata.

Related Items:

Katana：Mumei (Unsigned), attributed to Chikakage.(The 41st NBTHK Juyo Token) Katanae: Kōto-jū Yoshihara Kuniie Seitan Kore (NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Token) Katana: Mumei(Unsigned, Hosho school)(the 23th Juyo Token) Katana:Osaka Gassan Sadakazu Saku(stamped) Meiji 30 Nen 8 Gatsu Hi 　 Motte Soushu Kamakura Masamune Den(NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Token) Katana: Forged by Kurihara Akihide at the foot of Mount Sōbu. An auspicious day in February, Showa 20 (1945).(NBTHK Hozon Token) Tachi: Suketsugu (Province Unknown, Late Kamakura Period)(NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Token) (Koshirae: NBTHK Hozon Tosogu)