Bidspirit auction | Ishihara Yoshisada Type 98 Shin

Ishihara Yoshisada Type 98 Shin Gunto - Imperial Japanese Army officer's shin gunto with Type 98 mountings, made during the Showa period by Seki swordsmith Ishihara Yoshisada, birth name Ishihara Joichi. The 26 1/2-inch curved steel blade has a single-hole nakago signed ”Ishihara Yoshisada saku” and bearing a Sho inspection stamp within a cherry-blossom border; the opposite face is undated. Mountings comprise an olive-brown cord-bound ray-skin tsuka with cherry-blossom menuki, decorated fuchi and kabutogane, brass floral tsuba with seppa, and an olive-brown lacquered steel saya with a single ashi suspension mount. Assembly number 77 appears on the tsuka core and several mounting components. Overall length is 39 1/2 inches in the scabbard. CONDITION: Blade shows linear polishing scratches, cloudy areas, scattered dark spotting, and small edge nicks near the tip. Nakago has oxidation. Tsuka wrap is darkened, worn, and locally frayed or loose; the wooden mekugi is chipped and deteriorated. The spring locking lever has been cut down or disabled. Tsuba locking-slot geometry does not match the balance of the mounting assembly. Saya lacquer has scratches, abrasions, finish loss, and scattered oxidation.