Finely-forged late war Japanese officer’s sword, a Type 98 Shin Gunto, measuring 28 in. from the 'kissaki' (‘tip’) to the ‘habaki’ (‘stop’), and 40 in. long overall. The tang is signed ‘Noshu Seki Ju Nijusan-Dai Kanefusa Kore’ revealing the maker of the sword as Fujiwara Kanefusa, also known as Kato Koichi. The tang is further marked with an inspection stamp. The skillfully forged blade features a thick gunome wavy temper line and distinctive yokote. The sword is mounted in a wood grip covered with white ray skin, wrapped with brown fabric laces and with two brass ‘menuki’ in the form of cherry blossoms inserted beneath the wrappings, one on each side. The ‘tsuba’ is brass, decorated with four cherry blossoms. The ‘tsuba’ and ‘seppas’ are both marked with the number ‘82’. The blade is housed in a brown-painted steel scabbard with a thin wood liner, mounted with brass decorations and a single suspension ring. All fittings are in very good condition overall, showing only minor wear.