Japanese Katana : Imperial Japanese Army

Japanese Army officer's Shin-gunto sword. The hilt has standard fittings with cherry blossom menuki on each side of the handle under the binding. The tsuba (guard) is a good quality pierced type and the kabuto-gane (pommel) is missing the sarute (knot loop). The blade is in poor condition with rust pitting along the edge and the point is broken. The harmon on the edge appears to be straight. The tang is signed Akasaka ju Kanemune. The brown painted steel scabbard, with Shin-gunto mountings to match the hilt, is wood lined and has a single loose strap hanger ring attached to a double band 60mm from the throat.

This sword is reputed to have executed eight Australian soldiers. The Japanese officer, who gave the sword to the donor, later stood trial for war crimes and was hanged.