Type 95 Shin Gunto
From the Collection: An NCO sword of the Imperial Japanese Army
For August (belatedly), we have the Japanese Type 95 Shin Gunto (九五式軍刀). A variant of the iconic Katana or “Samurai Sword” intended for issue to non-commissioned officers of the Imperial Army during the Second World War, this was made with more modern manufacturing methods in order to supply the massive WWII era Japanese military. With a steel scabbard painted green, as well as having its grip made of stamped metal which was then painted to look like a traditional leather wrapped Japanese sword this is a combination of traditional design and modern industrial production. The Japanese were infamous for their use of swords during the Second World War, both for suicide charges (generally accompanied by the shout of “Tennōheika Banzai!” meaning roughly “Long Live the Emperor!”), general combat, and for executing prisoners, as well as civilians, for the amusement of Japanese soldiers. This sword was likely made in the mid war (1942-1943) , as it does not have the simplifications that appeared later, aside from a cast iron hilt.
Japanese soldiers celebrate the Fall of Corregidor in 1941, with several swords visible
The new design had entered service in 1935, thus its designation as Type 95, with 1935 in the Western Calendar corresponding to the year 95 in the Japanese Meji Calendar. The sword makes for an interesting conglomeration of tradition and modernity that in some ways could be seen as a microcosm for Japan as a whole at that time. The grip was originally made of aluminum with a brass hilt, but mid war versions like the example seen here have a cheaper brass coated cast iron hilt. The blade is made of machined steel and is very strong, with a pronounced fuller (“blood groove”) for strength, and retains a sharp edge even after several decades.
US Army soldiers compare souvenirs in the Philippines, including swords - US National Archives
The “Samurai Sword” was in many ways to the Allied soldiers of the Asia-Pacific Theater what the Luger was to their comrades in Europe. An iconic symbol of their enemies, it was an extremely sought after trophy, resulting in vast numbers of both Type 95 swords and older handmade examples being brought home with returning troops after the war. Unlike the traditionally made swords, which are still made in Japan today and are often returned to Japan by the families of the soldiers who captured them in the interest of healing old wounds, the Type 95 is considered a prohibited weapon by the modern Japanese government, due to a lack of perceived artistic value in the mechanically produced design.
Despite this the Type 95 remains an excellent example of a Japanese edged weapon from the Second World War. Its mass-produced nature serves as an example of how the Japanese had modernized in the first half of the 20th century, but also the intention of retaining the warrior tradition of Bushido that characterized the early Showa Era.