Japanese Imperial Army WWII Type 97 Gunto Kanefusa

Japanese Imperial Army WWII Type 97 Gunto – Kanefusa (23rd Gen) Signed made by Kanefusa (23rd generation), resident of Seki. Good Vintage Condition. Some issues and shows signs of age and wear. Sword Length Approximately 38 inches. Blade Length Approximately 26.75 inches. Sword is sharp. Saya is wood wrapped in leather. The Kanefusa lineage of swordsmiths of Mino Province dates back to the Muromachi era in the 1400s. The 23rd generation Kanefusa worked during the WWII era and was a direct descendant of this famous line of swordsmiths. This lineage continues today with the 25th generation Kanefusa. The 23rd generation Kanefusa’s name was Kato Kochi. He was born in 1900. During the Showa period he studied under Kato Jumyo and worked in Seki (Mino / modern Gifu prefecture). During the war years he made many blades for the military, both army and navy, and for civil officials. He won numerous awards in sword exhibitions and contests during this period. He was ranked 1st Seat (National Swordsmith) in the 6th Exhibition of Swords held in 1941 (Slough). He was ranked Kibin no Retsu in 1942 by Kurihara Hikosaburo at the Tosho Banzuke (J.Kim). Many of his blades are signed as being prize winning blades. Blades by the 23rd generation Kanefusa have received origami from the NBTHK or NTHK. This school of swordsmiths is noted for making a special style of hamon known as Kanefusa midare. No stand included.

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