WW2 samurai sword

[Jeff Simmons1012]

Thank you for admission to this group. I was referred here because I have some world war 2 samurai swords that were brought back by a relative of a friend. Any information would be helpful. Here is the first sword 

[Rawa]

Shin gunto T98 with open tsuba [guard] more info after nakago/tang is showed.

I don't see signs of it having second hanger/haikan altough chuso is centered.

Same about blade itself. There is hamon but close up would help in a matter if it was traditionally made [gendaito] or machine [showato]

It's lacking menuki and tsukamaki. But no rust and tip is intact.

Rayskin on hundle with full wrap. Have characterisctic lumps [bigger ones closer to pommel are nice to see]

http://ohmura-study.net/934.html

@Bruce Pennington how often you see seki/showa stamped swords with centered chuso? I wonder if this don't indicate gendaito/pre war sword. In manufacture/factory blades were made in batches. So thinking position of mekugi ana was standardized to speed up production.

[ROKUJURO]

Jeff,

there were no SAMURAI (or SAMURAI swords) in WWII.

[Shugyosha]

Hi Jeff,

Welcome to the forum. Are you able to post a picture of the tang with the handle taken off as there may be a signature and date there? 

[Bruce Pennington]

Hi Jeff!

Marcin gave you a great link, the Ohmura site, for getting to know WWII Japanese swords.  As the other guys already pointed out, we could use some clear close up shots of some things to help you get to know your sword a bit better.  

 

Here's a great video showing How to Remove the Handled/Tsuka of Japanese Sword

 

Here's a good page to start learning some of the Japanese sword lingo: Japanese Sword Visual Glossary

 

Taking care of your sword: Japanese Sword Care

 

First big step is removing the tsuka (handle) and seeing if your blade is signed and dated.  Next is getting a few close, clear shots of the blade's hamon (temper line/pattern), and one shot showing the area around the belt hanger loop (haikan).  The Type 94 had 2 haikan, but the second one was removable and is often gone by the time we see them.  If it was the 94 version, there might be marks on the saya (scabbard) showing where it sat originally.  Otherwise, you have a Type 98.

 

[Mods - I was going to recommend moving this to Military forum, but I guess we might wait to see if the blade is an older nihonto]

 

Oh, and the reason for the comments about "Samurai" are that these fittings were WWII Army, whereas Samurai swords were 'civilian' swords carried by Samurai long before WWII.  Now, honestly, though, the Military blades were specifically designed based off the Samurai sword.  So, a more technically correct way to refer to them is "Samurai styled sword."  Now, it is still quite possible your sword holds a much older blade from the days of the Samurai.  So, let's get a look at that nakago (tang)!

[Jeff Simmons1012]

Thank you guys! Will get better pics for you tonight!! 

[Jeff Simmons1012]

Here are some more photos I’d the sword. I was able to get the handle off. I don’t see a signature. But I do see some writing on the little plates by the handguard. 

[Jeff Simmons1012]

I think I see a faint line along the edge of the blade. It’s not straight. It’s curvy. Any information about the sword would be appreciated! 

[PNSSHOGUN]

Hi Jeff, the small stamps indicates the Koshirae was made by Suya Shoten. The other markings could be related to the officers name or assembly numbers. The blade itself looks to have some age and could date back to the 16th Century.  

[Jeff Simmons1012]

Wow! So there is a chance that the Japanese officer wrote his name on the sword? 
 

the sword was made in the 16th century?? Like the 1500’s?? 

[Rivkin]

Seeing boshi in details would really help this one. There is potential.

[aabderson]

Cool piece! Looking closely at the tsuka, It seems to have a family Mon, but I’m not sure which specific family it represents. Maybe one of the experts can help

[Scogg]

Looks like a 3-5-3 kirimon 

 

Interesting sword! Yes, could very well be 1500s. The fittings are WW2 but the blade is older. 

 

Welcome to the forum 

All the best,

-Sam 

[John C]

Jeff:

The family crest (mon) is a 3-5-3 kiri and one used by many families who could claim association with that particular clan so an exact family name is probably not possible.

 

John C.

[Rawa]

3 hours ago, Jeff Simmons1012 said:

Wow! So there is a chance that the Japanese officer wrote his name on the sword? 
 

the sword was made in the 16th century?? Like the 1500’s?? 

Yeah it's samurai afterall  and was shortened at least once. Tsuba is really good with those red accents. Individual order. It's sad that menuki are missing. Maybe someone more familiar with Suya soten would disclose if this manufacture used to pair crest at menuki with crest at pommel [kabutogane].

Give us measurements in spare time:

Nagasa- from tip to munemachi and entire length.

And why it's estimated age?

"In the Edo period (江戸時代), the law regulated the sword size for different social class. Sword carriers, martial artists, and swordsmanship students were allowed to carry swords with blade length up to 2 shaku 3 sun (approximately 69.7 cm or 27.4 in) under Tokugawa Iemitsu (徳川家光) and up to 2 shaku 2 sun 8 bu (approximately 68.6 cm or 27 in) under Tokugawa Ietsuna (徳川家綱)"

More in a link

https://romanceofmen.com/blogs/katana-info/katana-nagasa-know-how-to-measure-katana-blade-the-right-way#HowToMeasureNagasa

[Bruce Pennington]

Interesting reading on Suya Shoten: Untold Story of Suya Shoten - Nick Komiya, Warrelics

 

Here's how to measure your blade:

[charlesf]

On 9/16/2025 at 7:31 AM, ROKUJURO said:

Jeff,

there were no SAMURAI (or SAMURAI swords) in WWII.

Not strictly true,there are numerous images of both IJA and IJN officers with civilian mounted 'samurai' swords.

 

charles

[ROKUJURO]

Charles,

you are correct. I thought of the "official" end of the SAMURAI era in 1876, and the fact that swords (= GUNTO) were more of a symbol in WWII than a standard weapon. They were of course used in short range combat, but that was not decisive in the war.

[Jeff Simmons1012]

Here is the measurement. It looks like it’s about 26 1/4 inches from the tip to the notch in the blade under the collar 

[charlesf]

On 9/19/2025 at 6:31 PM, ROKUJURO said:

Charles,

you are correct. I thought of the "official" end of the SAMURAI era in 1876, and the fact that swords (= GUNTO) were more of a symbol in WWII than a standard weapon. They were of course used in short range combat, but that was not decisive in the war.

Perhaps not decisive apart from the 'Nanpokirikomitai' who were armed exclusively with swords and attacked entrenched forces with success and not forgetting that sword techniques like 'gunto soho' and 'Toyama ryu' which were established to train officers in the use of gunto,their frequent use evidenced by the large numbers that required repair and maintenance by units like Kurihara Hikosaburo's repair group that worked in China.

 

charles