P1937 Kai Gunto Sword: Artifact Friday

Historical swordsmanship is a unique factoid of Japanese culture. Throughout the centuries in Japan there has been a strong relationship between the person wielding the sword and the sword itself. The P1937 Kai Gunto Sword is a traditional Japanese officer sword that was used for around 50 years, from the late 19th century to the end of World War II. During the Meiji era in Japan, with the samurai class being disbanded, the sword abolishment edict was made in 1876, which forbade anyone from carrying a sword. In the late 19th century, due to conflicts with China and Russia, these swords were brought back to manufacturing. Pre-WWII Japanese officers were required to wear a Gunto Sword to distinguish themselves as officers in their official rank; this requirement lasted throughout the war. Gunto swords have many different versions, some being made as far as 1900 and some later as far as 1943. The Kai Gunto sword was made in 1937 and is made with traditional samurai styling with naval-specific fittings. The handles of Gunto swords were usually fitted with dried ray skin; this bumpy, pearl-like texture allows for slip-free maneuvering of the sword. What distinguishes this sword as a naval sword is the brown tassel that hangs off the end of it. No other Gunto sword had a brown tassel, as other branches would have black tassels or other markings. This sword, like most other Gunto swords, has cherry blossom motifs as well. Most naval Kai Gunto swords also have distinct brass motifs on them as well that further distinguish them from other branches. These swords are largely important not just to World War II history but to the history of Japan. This sword symbolized Japanese national ideology and was supposed to connect these soldiers with past samurai classes. The Kai Gunto sword is an important aspect of World War II history that we hold in our collection.