1942 Dated “Auspicious Day” Signed Japanese Army Officer’s Shin Gunto Sword in Scarce Wooden Scabbard

The Japanese Army officer’s sword has an overall length in the scabbard of approximately 39 inches, with a blade length of approximately 25 inches. The quality blade is generally quite bright, showing scattered spots and some surface dirt, as well as a few tiny inclusions, but being without active rust, nicks or chips. The blade has a visible temper line beneath some surface dirt. The  tang shows some small spots of old surface rust. It is signed “Made by Fujiwara Sukeyuki” and, on the opposite side, it bears the most interesting date declaration of “Showa 17 [1942] June on an auspicious day”.  The real name of “Fujiwara Sukeyuki” was “Yamamura Shin-no suke”. He was born in Tokyo in 1897, was a swordsmith of the Rikugun Jumei Tosho, and he made Showato and Gendaito in Tokyo before and during the war. After the war he continued to forge traditionally crafted Gendaito blades. He is listed in John Slough’s book An Oshigata Book of Modern Japanese Swordsmiths 1868-1945. The ray skin grip is wrapped in the traditional style with golden brown fabric, and beneath the wrapping are the traditional military menuki of three cherry blossoms on each side. The fabric wrapping exhibits some soiling from handling, and the menuki show verdigris. The tsuba guard is the solid style, with relief cherry blossoms. The scabbard is an extremely unusual example in wood, with the standard fittings of a scabbard of an army officer shin gunto sword.  The scabbard retains most of the olive brown paint. Overall excellent condition.