Japanese WWII Gendaito Sword -Prototype Drag -Ki MASATSUGU

[matthewbrice]

A Japanese WWII gendaito sword by Ki Masatsugu is available.

 

Notably, Ki Masatsugu was given the special rank of Jyungenro, second only to Genro, in the 1943 list, the Gendai Tosho Ninki Banzuke.  Published by the Nihon Token Tanrenjo (NTT) and the Nihon Token Shinbunshi (NTS), the Gendai Tosho Ninki Banzuke served to rank what were then modern or gendai swordsmiths.  He is also given the rank of Jo-jo saku, superior-superior made, on the Fujishiro Ranking System, a rank that is only secondary to Sai-jo Saku.  The late Fujishiro Matsuo san was a Living National Treasure polisher and author of the Nihon Toko Jiten.

 

Therefore, this World War II Japanese sword represents an important acquisition for any serious collection.

The tang bears the signature “Ki Masatsugu”.

 

Additionally, Masatsugu crafted this blade as a traditionally made, water-tempered gendai sword.  As expected for a traditionally forged blade, it carries no Showa or arsenal stamp.

 

The blade measures 24 5/32″ (61.3 cm) from the tip to the bottom of the notch in the habaki.

The Army mounts are exceptional.  The saya has the hard to find extended prototype drag fitting with kanji.  In addition, the tsuba is the only infrequently found special thin variation.  The original Company grade (Lieutenant) blue/brown Officer tassel is still attached to the sarute.

 

CONDITION
The rare mounts on this Japanese WWII Gendaito sword are in exceptional condition.  The blade has staining from past oxidation.  This blade would polish beautifully if desired.  There are a couple of minor nail nicks in the blade edge, and the blade remains perfectly straight.

 

The hamon (temper line) and boshi are healthy and well defined.

 

Additional photos available by using the link below.  

 

$2900 plus postage

 

 

 

--Matthew Brice

 

https://stcroixblades.com/product/Japanese-wwii-gendaito-sword-ww2-army-samurai-gunto/

[Rawa]

@matthewbrice wakase made these. Number is a patent.
Look please for more markings on tsuba under seppa. Looks promising with that rim.
Number 4 tsuba link below.

http://ohmura-study.net/906.html

@Bruce Pennington was there any more spots for special wakase markings except tsuba and ishizuki?

I’m sure I saw wakase having typical serie number on seppa and tsuba.

Edited March 18 by Rawa

[Bruce Pennington]

2 hours ago, Rawa said:

was there any more spots for special wakase markings except tsuba and ishizuki?

Marcin, that's the only two locations I'm aware of on a Type 98 where Wakase marked their items.

 

Matt, nice gunto my friend!  I agree, I like those special thinner tsuba.