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| Guntō (軍刀) | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Type 95 Gunto (bottom) and Guntō for officers | |
| Type | Sword |
| Place of origin | Empire of Japan |
| Production history | |
| Produced | Meiji period to midShowa period |
| Specifications | |
| Length | overall length: 100 cm (39 in) |
| Blade length | blade length: 60 cm (24 in) |
| Blade type | Curved, single-edged |
| Hilt type | Wood, leather, metal, fish skin, metal wire |
| Scabbard/sheath | Lacquered wood, leather, metal or ray skin (same) |
Theguntō (軍刀, military sword) was aceremonial sword produced for the Imperial Japanesearmy andnavy after the introduction of conscription in 1872.[1]
During theMeiji period, the samurai class was gradually disbanded, and theHaitōrei Edict in 1876 forbade the carrying of swords in public except for certain individuals such as former samurai lords (daimyōs), the military and police.[2] Skilled swordsmiths had trouble making a living during this period as Japan modernized its military and many swordsmiths started making other items such as cutlery. Military action by Japan in China and Russia during the Meiji Period helped revive the manufacture of swords and in theShōwa period (1926–1989) before and during World War II swords were once again produced on a large scale.[3]
During the pre–World War II military buildup and throughout the war, all Japanese officers were required to wear a sword. Traditionally made swords were produced during this period but, in order to supply such large numbers of swords, blacksmiths with little or no knowledge of traditional Japanese sword manufacture were recruited. In addition, supplies of the type of Japanese steel (tamahagane) used for sword making were limited so several other types of steel were substituted. Shortcuts in forging were also taken, such as the use of power hammers and tempering the blade in oil rather than hand forging and water tempering; these measures created swords without the usual characteristics associated with Japanese swords.
The non-traditionally made swords from this period are calledShōwatō. In 1937, the Japanese government started requiring the use of special stamps on the tang to distinguish these swords from traditionally made swords. During this wartime period antique swords from older time periods were remounted for use in the military. In Japan,shōwatō are not considered to be true Japanese swords, and they can be confiscated. Outside Japan they are collected as historical artifacts.[4][2][3]
The first standard sword of the Japanese military was known as thekyū guntō (旧軍刀, old military sword).Murata Tsuneyoshi (1838–1921), a Japanese general who previously made guns, started making what was probably the first mass-produced substitute for traditionally made samurai swords. These swords are referred to asMurata-tō and they were used in both the Sino-Japanese War (1894–1895) and the Russo-Japanese War (1904–1905).[5] Thekyū guntō was used from 1875 until 1934, and many styles closely resembled European and American swords of the time, with a wraparound hand guard (also known as a D-guard) andchrome plated scabbard (saya), the steel scabbard is said to have been introduced around 1900.[6][7]
Prior to 1945, manykyū guntō were distributed to commissioned officers to fill a demand for swords to Japan's expanding military officer classes. To distinguish individuality, wealth or craftsmanship, many swords were produced in batches as small as 1–25 to maintain the legacy of sword culture. Styles varied greatly, with inspirations drawn from swords of early periods, familial crests, and experimental artistic forms that the Meiji Restoration period had begun to introduce. Some examples have included European style silverworking, jade, cloisonné, or metalwork and paint for artistic relief.[8]
Theshin guntō (新軍刀, new military sword) was a weapon and symbol of rank used by theImperial Japanese Army, between the years of 1935–1945. During most of that period, the swords were manufactured at theToyokawa Naval Arsenal.
In response to rising nationalism within the armed forces, a new style of sword was designed for the Japanese military in 1934. Theshin guntō was styled after a traditional slung tachi of the Kamakura Period (1185–1332). Officers' ranks were indicated by coloured tassels tied to a loop at the end of the hilt. The corresponding colors were brown-red and gold for generals; brown and red for field officers; brown and blue for company or warrant officers; brown for sergeants, sergeants major or corporals.[7] The blades found inshin guntō ranged from modern machine-made blades through contemporary traditionally-manufactured blades to ancestral blades dating back hundreds of years.
After the Second World War's conclusion, most produced guntō were made to resemble the traditionally cloth wrapped shin-gunto swords, but out of a solid metal casting. On later models the hilts were made of aluminum and painted to resemble the lacing (ito) on officer'sshin-guntō swords. These swords will have serial numbers on their blades and are nearly always machine made. If the sword is all original, the serial numbers on the blade, tsuba, saya and all other parts should match.
The Type 94shin guntō (九四式軍刀,kyūyon-shiki guntō)officers' sword replaced the Western stylekyu gunto in 1934. It had a traditionally constructedhilt (tsuka) with ray skin (same) wrapped with traditional silk wrapping (ito). A cherry blossom (a symbol of theImperial Japanese Army) theme was incorporated into the guard (tsuba), pommels (fuchi andkashira), and ornaments (menuki).
The scabbard for the Type 94 was made of metal with a wood lining to protect the blade. It was often painted brown and was suspended from two brass mounts, one of which was removable and only used when in full dress uniform. The fittings on the scabbard were also decorated with cherry blossom designs.
The Type 95shin guntō (九十五式軍刀,kyūgō-shiki guntō) released in 1935 was designed for use bynon-commissioned officers (NCOs). It was designed to resemble an officer'sshin guntō but be cheaper to mass-produce. All NCOs' swords had machine-made blades with deepfullers (bo hi) and a serial number stamped on the blade inarabic numerals. Initially the hilts were cast out of metal (either copper or aluminium) and painted to resemble the traditionally produced items on the officer's swords. They had brass guards similar to the officer'sshin guntō.
By 1945, a simplified NCO sword was being produced. It had a simple wooden hilt with cross hatched grooves for grip. The scabbards were made from wood instead of metal and the guard and other fittings were made from iron instead of brass.
The change to the Type 98shin guntō (九八式軍刀,kyūhachi-shiki guntō) occurred in 1938 and was essentially a simplification of the Type 94. There were only minor differences between early Type 98 swords and the Type 94 swords that preceded them. Most notably the second (removable) hanging point was omitted from the scabbard.
Many changes occurred to the Type 98 between 1938 and the end of the war in 1945. Late in the war Japan's supply of metal was drying up andshin guntō were produced with painted wooden scabbards, and with cheaper or no brass ornamentation. Some of the final swords produced in the last year of the war utilized cheap copper or blackened iron fittings.
Kaiguntō (海軍刀, naval sword) are the less common naval versions of theshin guntō.[9] Somekai guntō were produced with stainless steel blades.[10]
