Shinshinto Katana with Shingunto Koshirae

This 28.5 inch Shinshinto Katana is mounted in contemporary koshirae and is accompanied by a custom Type a 94 Shingunto Koshirae by the Suwa Sword Shop in near mint condition.

The blade is mumei and very good length at 28 ½ inches nagasa (72.5 cm). It is in healthy condition, in new polish, and nice balance. The hamon is a bright suguha in ko-nie deki that rises high into the ji. The habuchi is very deep and carries long nijuba and some kuzure. There are a couple small patches of jinie on a finely forged komokume with masame in the shinogiji. The shinogi is very slightly high and wide. The boshi is komaru with kuzure and turns back shortly. There are a couple small pits and a spot of course jihada in the shinogiji, but nothing detrimental to either quality or condition. The nakago is quite long and has two mekugiana.

 

The contemporary koshirae consists of iron fuchi, kashira, and tsuba, embellished with dragonflys. The menuki are silver dragonflys as well, wrapped under black doeskin ito. There are two mekugi in the tsuka. The habaki is silver foiled and high quality. Though there is currently no sageo on it, a new one will be supplied and tied on with purchase. The saya fits very nicely and draws very smooth making this a very good working koshirae with a nice blade that is great for display or to proudly train with.

The Gunto koshirae is a high quality example by the Suwa Sword Shop of Tokyo and in phenomenal condition with no damage and carries all matching numbers. There were several companies that supplied custom swords and koshirae for Imperial Army and Navy officers. Suwa Token Shoten products are marked with a stamp that resembles a harp. This mark is stamped on one side of the tsuba. The other side is stamped with the assembly numbers in kanji reading “263” and the kanji for “Chu” (also read “Naka”) which are also found on both all the seppa and written on the face of the tsuka foundation under the fuchi. The fuchi is also scribed with “263”. It also includes a very well preserved company grade officer’s tassel of brown and blue. The kabutogane on the tsuka has a silver kamon (family crest) on it. This koshirae was made for this sword blade. It is not a put together piece. The blade and habaki fit the saya and tsuka perfectly as it was made for it. The tsunagi was even made to the dimensions of the sword. The gunto tsuka has a high quality rayskin installed as well. This blade was highly thought of and was mounted accordingly by a respected officer’s supply.

Nagasa: 28.5 inches (72.5 cm)
Sori: 1.7 cm Torizori
Kissaki: Chu
Width at machis: 3.15 cm
Thickness at machis: 7.25 mm
Width at yokote: 2.1 cm
Thickness at kissaki: 5 mm
Tsuka Length: 10 7/16 inches (26.5 cm)

This really is an excellent package. The blade is well made, in good polish, and respectably mounted. Shingunto koshirae that are well preserved and good quality such as this are also getting scarcer by the day. Most available ones have been abused, picked apart, put together, or are lower grade in poor condition.

Offered on Consignment: $6850.00 - SOLD