Description
Katana or Shin Gunto for an Officer of the Imperial Japanese Army manufactured by Nobumitsu in January 1945. Due to the structure of the Koshirae and the blade we can affirm that it is a Type 3 of artisan manufacture that preserves all its original parts.
Japanese katana from World War II.
The Koshirae or structure
The scabbard (鞘Saya) is preserved in very good condition.
The format of the metal guard (鍔tsuba) indicates that it is a model from the end of the war due to its rounded and smooth shape. He has two Seppa.
The opening button (Chuso) works perfectly keeping the katana closed.
The wrapping (柄糸Tsukaito) of the sword handle (柄Tsuka) is of the Morohinerimaki type. Between the wrapping there are two Menuki 目貫, one on each side. The rayskin (鮫Same) is preserved in very good condition. It also contains the original upper metal piece (頭Kashira) in a smooth shape and the ornate necklace (縁Fuchi) located on the Tsuba, both in good condition.
It also has the brown tassel that usually corresponds to the rank of Captain.
The Nagasa orblade
The blade is handmade and not mass produced, so we can specify the following characteristics.
The overall shape of the blade is Shinogi-zukuri like most shin gunto.
The temple around the cut (刃文 Hamon) is Sugu (straight) type.
The pattern of the steel of the blade (地肌 Jiada) is Muji type (flat or smooth).
The countercut (棟Mune) is Ihori type (a single open angle)
The angle change of the tip of the blade (切先Kissaki) is Chu (intermediate) type.
The tang (茎Nakago) reads the artisan’s signature (名Mei), contains a hole (目釘孔Mekugi-Ana) and the red markings that served as identifying numbers.
The Mei or signature
The Nakago reads the date of manufacture Showa 20 Year 1 Month (昭和二十年一月), that is, January 1945. The Mei reads the name of the craftsman Nobumitsu (信光).
