What is a Type 98 Shin Gunto and why is it collectible?

The Type 98 Shin Gunto was the standard-issue officer sword of the Imperial Japanese Army, formally adopted in 1938. Unlike earlier military swords such as the Kyu Gunto — which drew heavily on Western cavalry sword design — the Type 98 was a deliberate return to traditional tachi-style construction, featuring a curved blade, ray-skin handle wrap, and classical Japanese fittings. Officers were encouraged to commission or inherit privately made blades, meaning original Type 98 swords could vary significantly in steel quality and craftsmanship. Today, faithful replicas are prized by military history collectors for their visual authenticity, their place in 20th-century history, and the technical artistry involved in recreating period-accurate fittings and blade geometry.

What is the difference between Kyu Gunto and Shin Gunto?

The Kyu Gunto (1875–early 1930s) was styled after Western military swords, featuring European-influenced fittings and often machine-made blades — a product of Japan's Meiji-era modernization. The Shin Gunto, introduced in 1934, was a deliberate return to Japanese tradition: it mimicked the classical tachi in silhouette, worn edge-down from the belt, with a traditional ito-wrapped handle, tsuba, and menuki. The Type 98 Shin Gunto became the standard officer's sword through the end of WWII. Collectors value these two types very differently — Kyu Gunto replicas appeal to those interested in cross-cultural military history, while Shin Gunto replicas attract WWII militaria enthusiasts and Japanese blade traditionalists alike.

How should a tachi be stored and maintained at home?

A tachi is ideally stored or displayed edge-downward on a dedicated stand - the historically correct orientation that also reduces stress on the habaki fit. Apply a thin coat of camellia or mineral oil to bare steel every two to three months using a soft cloth, wiping from the spine toward the edge rather than along it. Never apply oil to the ito wrap, tsuka wood, or saya interior. Keep the piece in an environment where relative humidity stays between 45 and 55 percent; a small silica gel packet in a closed display cabinet is an inexpensive solution. Avoid positioning the display near heating vents or windows, as temperature swings cause both wood and steel to expand and contract at different rates, which can loosen fittings over time.

What makes a chrysanthemum tsuba different from other guard styles?

A chrysanthemum tsuba is shaped or decorated to represent the iconic Japanese imperial blossom, typically featuring radiating petal forms either in relief casting or openwork cutouts. Unlike simple round iron tsuba or geometric sukashi designs, the chrysanthemum pattern carries explicit cultural weight — it was historically associated with imperial authority and high-ranking samurai households. In collectible tachi, this guard style is usually executed in bronze, gold-toned alloy, or a two-tone gold-and-black finish, with varying levels of petal detail that directly reflect casting and finishing quality. When evaluating a piece, look for clean petal separation, a flush fit to the habaki, and a finish that doesn't show obvious casting seams — these details separate a thoughtfully made collectible from a generic reproduction.

How does a kodachi sword differ from a wakizashi?

Updated Feb 2026

The kodachi and wakizashi are often compared because they occupy similar positions in the Japanese blade length hierarchy - both are shorter than a full katana and longer than a tanto. The key distinctions are historical origin and blade geometry. The wakizashi developed as the shorter companion blade of the katana, specifically designed to complement the longer sword in the daisho pairing that became the formal emblem of samurai status during the Edo period. The kodachi, by contrast, derives from the tachi tradition and represents a shortened version of the older long sword style rather than a purpose-designed companion blade. In terms of blade geometry, both feature curved single-edged blades, but subtle differences in curvature, blade width, and tip shape can distinguish individual pieces within each category. For collectors, both styles represent rewarding display pieces with strong historical associations and the full range of traditional Japanese sword fittings. Our wakizashi sword collection provides comparison options for collectors evaluating both styles.