JAPANESE 'SHIN GUNTO' KATANA

JAPANESE 'SHIN GUNTO' KATANA
Finely-forged Japanese 'shin gunto' ['new military sword'], measuring 24.5 in. from 'kissaki' (tip) to the habaki stop, and 38.5 in. long overall. The blade is very skillfully forged with a subtle, inactive 'hamon' delineating the cutting edge. The blade bears negligible freckling with light scratches near the cutting edge, and some slight surface abrasion towards one side of the blade near the habaki. Otherwise, the blade is in fine condition, retaining a great deal of its original shine. The sword is mounted in a later wood grip covered with white ray skin, wrapped with brown fabric laces and with two brass 'menuki' in the form of cherry blossoms inserted beneath the wrappings, one on each side. The tang beneath the grip bears original etched kanji. The 'mekugi' (wood pin) is present yet dented inwards, thus the scabbard is not entirely locked to the habaki under normal conditions. The 'tsuba' is brass, decorated with four cherry blossoms. The blade is housed in a leather-wrapped 'saya' (scabbard) with a thin wood liner, mounted with two brass suspension rings. The leather is cracking and scratched a bit, with some loss towards the kissaki end. A very desirable and presentable example.