SHINGUNTO SHINTO 1673
FUJIWARA SHIGEYUKI WITH SURRENDER DOCUMENTS
WHILE THIS SWORD IS A FINE COLLECTABLE ANTIQUE KATANA DATING BACK TO THE EDO PERIOD, IT IS ALSO A PIECE OF AUSTRALIAN MILITARY HISTORY.
THIS SHINGUNTO WAS SURRENDERED BY IMPERIAL JAPANESE ARMY CAPTAIN SUGITA OF THE 100TH ARMY AIR CORPS TO CAPTAIN JOHN EDWARD SEARLE NX21876 2/13TH BTN. AUSTRALIAN IMPERIAL FORCE AT TARAKAN BORNEO IN 1945.THE SWORD WAS PROBABLY PRESENTED TO CAPT. SUGITA BY HIS FATHER FOR HIM TO TAKE TO WAR, TO KEEP HIM SAFE, GIVE HIM STRENGTH, AND GOOD LUCK ON THE BATTLEFIELDS OF THE PACIFIC. A SILVER FAMILY MON ON THE KABUTOGANE IDENTIFIES CAPT. SUGITA AS ASSENDING FROM A SAMURAI FAMILY. A SECOND SILVER MON WITH THE SUGITA FAMILY NAME IS ALSO ATTACHED TO THE KABUTOGANE. THIS PERSONAL MON AND CLOTH SURRENDER TAG CONFIRMS THE IDENTITY OIF THE OWNER WITHOUT ANY DOUBT.
CAPT. JOHN EDWARD SEARLE HAD A DISTINGUISHED MILITARY CAREER RISING FROM THE RANKS TO BECOME AN OFFICER. HE WON THE DISTINGUISHED CONDUCT MEDAL IN THE WESTERN DESERT WHEN HE HELD THE RANK OF SERGEANT. IT SHOULD BE NOTED THAT THE DCM RATES ONLY SECOND TO THE VICTORIA CROSS FOR ACTS OF MILITARY BRAVERY IN THE FIELD. FURTHER INFORMATION ON CAPT. SEAR5LE CAN BE ACCESSED THROUGH THE AUSTRALIAN WAR MEMORIAL OFFICAL WEB SITE.
THE BLADE HAS A 69CM NAGASA, UBU NAKAGO, AND SIGNED FUJIWARA SHIGEYUKI, CIRCA 1673. THE MIDARE HAMON IS FULL OF ACTIVITY. THERE ARE NO FORGING FLAWS HOWEVER THE BLADE DOES HAVE A SLIGHT BUCKLE. I HAVE TRIED TO SHOW THIS IN THE PHOTOGRAPHS. PLEASE REMEMBER THAT THIS SWORD WAS USED IN BATTLE AND THE BEND DATES FROM THE WAR PERIOD. THE BLADE DOES HAVE SOME RUST STAINS HOWEVER IT CAN STILL BE ENJOYED AS IS. SHOULD A FUTURE OWNER DECIDE TO HAVE THE BLADE POLISHED AND RESTORED IN JAPAN, THE BEND COULD BE REMOVED AT THAT TIME. PERSONALLY I LIKE IT’S CURRENT ORIGINAL CONDITION, AND THINK THAT IT SHOWS THE CHARACTER OF A COMBAT SWORD.
THE KOSHIRAE REMAINS IN EXCELLENT CONDITION WITH FAMILY MONS AS PREVIOUSLY MENTIONED , PIERCED TSUBA, CLOTH SURENDER TAG, AND ORIGINAL BLUE/BROWN COMPANY GRADE TASSEL. CAPT. SEARLE’S ORIGINAL TRANSPORTATION LABEL WITH SWORD APPRAISAL AND OTHER DOCUMENTS ALSO COME WITH THE GROUP.
PRICE $6500