Epée - Japon

"【Important notes】

・International buyers are responsible for any import duties, taxes, and charges not included in the item price or shipping cost. Please note that VAT paid to Catawiki is separate from and does not cover import duties or customs charges in your country. You may still be required to pay additional fees upon delivery, as determined by your local customs authorities.
・Damage and Issues: If you receive a damaged item, please contact us immediately. The damage must be reported to your local post office within 7 days of delivery, and promptly to us and Catawiki support.

【Important notes – Swords】

・Please note that obtaining the necessary export permit for sword typically takes about 3 to 4 weeks, so kindly be aware of this timeline in advance.
・The following countries prohibit sword imports, so please refrain from bidding. (AUSTRIA, BELGIUM & the UNITED KINGDOM)
・The following countries can be shipped by airmail (GERMANY, FRANCE, POLAND, CROATIA & the UNITED STATES). All other destinations will be shipped by Japan Post seamail (lead time 3 to 4 months), as airlines refuse to carry swords. However, if you require faster delivery, air shipping may be possible through a different carrier for an additional fee, so please contact us.

【Product details】

This authentic Japanese katana features a unsigned blade mounted in later military officer fittings (guntō koshirae) from the early Showa period during the Second World War.
The overall appearance strongly reflects the common historical practice of remounting older family blades for military service during the wartime period.

The blade remains unsigned (mumei) and displays an elegant curvature of 1.9 cm. The tang shows an old black patina with later red rust developing over the surface from age and storage conditions. While the sword would require professional polishing to fully appreciate the hamon and forged steel surface, the blade retains a solid structure without visible fatal cracks.

The military-style fittings display attractive age and character throughout. The handle is wrapped in brown cord over ray skin, fitted with cherry blossom menuki and military-style metal fittings. Cherry blossom motifs were widely used on Japanese military swords and symbolised both the fleeting nature of life and the spirit of the soldier. The wooden scabbard retains its dark lacquer finish with signs of age and use.

The sword comes with a copy of its Firearms and Swords Registration Certificate, as the original document will be returned to the authorities. According to the Firearms and Swords Registration Certificate, the sword is registered as follows: Gifu Prefecture Registration No. 088345, classified as katana, blade length 63.2 cm, curvature 1.9 cm, one mekugi-ana, unsigned. The certificate was issued on 18 November Reiwa 7 (2025).

The blade shows considerable age-related rust, scratches, scuffs, stains, and small surface marks throughout. The fuchi fittings and tsuba show slight looseness. Part of the Fuchi has a chip. The lacquered wooden scabbard shows lacquer losses, dents, wear, scratches, and cracking to the lacquer surface. The iron suspension fitting on the scabbard shows strong red rust and is slightly loose, with minor movement present. The end metal fitting of the scabbard has strong rust and a vertical crack. The handle wrapping also shows discolouration from age. The silk storage bag has one hole and minor blemishes. A display stand is not included. Please refer to the photos for details.

Overall length of the blade (including the tang): approx. 84 cm
Overall length including scabbard: approx. 94 cm

・Please make sure to review all the provided information and images before placing your bid.
・We make every effort to accurately represent the product's colors and textures in our photos. However, due to differences in monitors and device displays, as well as photographic conditions, slight color variations between the photos and the actual product may occur. We ask for your understanding in advance.

Thank you for your interest, and happy bidding!"