Katana Type 98 Gunto Replica Maru Blade Tokizakura Koshirae 大荒

Clay Tempered Full Tang Shinken (真剣) | Type 98 Gunto Replica Katana: TangGu (湯谷) Maru Blade (丸造) + TangGu (湯谷) Tokizakura Koshirae (常桜拵) 

The Type 98 Guntō (九八式軍刀) is reproduced with attention to historical accuracy for collection, display, or ceremonial use. The blade is hand-forged from proprietary high-carbon steel in Maru-zukuri (丸造) style, a monosteel construction for uniformity and strength. It has no visible hada (鍛肌なし). A Suguha with slight Midare (小乱れ交じり直刃) hamon is created through clay tempering (覆土焼入れ). The saya (鞘) is finished in yellow lacquer, with koiguchi, kurigata, and kojiri made of aged brass. A brass suspension ring allows mounting to a military sword belt. No sageo cord is included. The tsuka (柄) is wrapped in brown cotton ito over aged orange samegawa (鮫皮), reinforced with hishigami (菱紙). Fuchi, kashira, and menuki are brass with sakura (桜) motifs. The tsuba (鍔) is a mokko-gata (木瓜形) made of brass with a plain golden finish. This Type 98 Guntō replica reflects the practical design and traditional elements of the original military sword.

TangGu (湯谷) Maru Blade

This blade is hand-forged (Tezukuri / 手作り) from high-carbon steel (高炭素鋼) in a monosteel construction called Maru-zukuri (丸造).

Blade Forging Details

• Blade Name: TangGu Traditionally Forged Maru Blade (丸造)
• Forging Method: Maru-zukuri（丸造）style with a single piece of high-carbon steel. Clay tempering (覆土焼入れ) creates a hardened edge, softer spine, and visible hamon.
• Materials: Proprietary high-carbon steel（自家製高炭素鋼）refined for hardness, toughness, and grain control.
• Purpose: Designed for Iaido (non-sharpened), Kenjutsu, and Tameshigiri (test cutting) practice, as well as for collection, display, and appreciation by enthusiasts and connoisseurs.

Blade Specifications

• Blade Length (Nagasa刃長): Approx 73 cm
• Tang Length (Nakago 茎長): Approx. 24 cm
• Width at Base (Motohaba 元幅): Approx. 31 mm
• Thickness at Base (Motokasane 元重): Approx. 6 mm
• Width at Tip (Sakihaba 先幅): Approx. 22 mm
• Thickness at Tip (Sakikasane先重): Approx. 4 mm
• Kissaki Length (Tip 切先長): Approx. 33 mm
• Mekugi-ana (Peg Hole 目釘穴): 1

Blade Characteristics

• Shape: Shinogi-zukuri (ridged blade 鎬造), Iori-mune (flat ridged spine 庵棟), Chū-kissaki (Medium-sized tip 中切先)

• Forging Pattern (Hada 鍛肌): None (鍛肌なし) — Forged from monosteel with uniform grain.
• Hamono (Blade Pattern 刃文): Suguha with slight midare（小乱れ交じり直刃）— formed by clay tempering (覆土焼入れ), mostly straight with subtle undulations.

Special Features and Workmanship

Hi (Groove) Engraving

• Type: Hi-Nashi (樋なし)
• Processing Range: None (No bohi) – Solid blade for added weight and strength

Polishing Work

• TangGu Polishing Levels:
  • Highest-grade shaping polish 最上・成形研磨 
  • Superior rough polish 最上・下研ぎ 
  • Detailed final polish 最上・仕上げ研ぎ 
• Key Features:
  • The blade is forged in Maru-zukuri（丸造）style from a single piece of proprietary high-carbon steel. Clay tempering（覆土焼入れ）produces a Suguha with slight Midare（小乱れ交じり直刃）hamon with a brightened edge (Hashiro / 刃白).

Fittings and Mountings

Blade Fittings

• Tsuba (Handguard 鍔): Mokko-gata（木瓜鍔）made of brass with aged patina. Openwork cherry blossom design.
• Fuchi-Kashira (縁頭): Brass with engraved cherry blossom patterns.
• Menuki (目貫): Brass menuki shaped as sakura blossoms.
• Habaki (鎺): Hand-forged brass with aged patina.
• Samegawa (Ray Skin 柄鮫): Genuine ray skin dyed orange.
• Handle Wrapping (Tsuka-maki 柄巻): Brown cotton ito, wrapped in hineri-maki style.

Saya and Accessories

• Saya (Scabbard 鞘): Type 98 Guntō (九八式軍刀) style scabbard with solid yellow lacquer. Koiguchi, kurigata, and kojiri are brass with aged patina. Brass suspension ring near kurigata for belt attachment.
• Saya Lacquer (鞘塗): Smooth yellow lacquer finish, historically accurate to Type 98 officer swords.
• Sageo (Cord 下緒): Omitted, consistent with some officer-issued Type 98 variants.

Measurements

• Blade Weight: Approx. 0.65 kg
• Sword Weight (without Saya): Approx. 1.0 kg
• Total Weight: Approx. 1.3 kg
• Overall Length: Approx. 100 mm