Photos from the Russo-Japanese War

[Peter H]

Chemulpo,Korea 1904



http://memory.loc.gov/service/pnp/ppmsc ... 08164v.jpg


http://memory.loc.gov/service/pnp/ppmsc ... 08153v.jpg


http://memory.loc.gov/service/pnp/ppmsc ... 08165v.jpg


http://memory.loc.gov/service/pnp/ppmsc ... 08152v.jpg

[Peter H]

http://memory.loc.gov/service/pnp/ppmsc ... 08166v.jpg


http://memory.loc.gov/service/pnp/ppmsc ... 08167v.jpg


Russian surrender at Port Arthur:


http://memory.loc.gov/service/pnp/ppmsc ... 08053v.jpg


Victory Parade for Togo,Tokyo 1905:


http://memory.loc.gov/service/pnp/ppmsc ... 08014v.jpg


All photos from: http://international.loc.gov/intldl/mtf ... html#f_eng

[Eugen Pinak]

Great photos!

[spiro]

Excuse my ignorance but are the people on the 2nd photo Japanese officers?

[Eugen Pinak]

Yes, they are all officers.

[spiro]

Thanks Eugen

The reason I asked was the swords they are carrying.
They look like "western" swords wile I thought the all carried the katana-or did this happened sometime later?

[Lawrence]

Thanks Eugen

The reason I asked was the swords they are carrying.
They look like "western" swords wile I thought the all carried the katana-or did this happened sometime later?

As far as I know, early swords resembled European sabers, as Japan was emulating the West heavily. The kyu-gunto or 'First Military Sword' was introduced in 1875 for officers and 1886 for warrant officers. The blade was slightly curved with a handguard.

Some traditional Samurai swords, normally family heirlooms, were worn during the Meiji and Taisho eras. During the rise of nationalism in the early Showa era, a demand for a 'Japanese' style sword increased and in 1934 the Type 94 shin-gunto or 'New Military Sword' was introduced. It was a copy of old Samurai katanas.

[Fallschirmjäger]

I wonder how many where ex samuri warriors,or was that to far back realy,but this was the 1900's and they where still fighting like that not to long before?.

[Lawrence]

I wonder how many where ex samuri warriors,or was that to far back realy,but this was the 1900's and they where still fighting like that not to long before?.

I don't understand your question.

[Fallschirmjäger]

Why?,are they ex samuri warriors i said,why do people not get what i wright sometimes and mainly from the usa,i think its my broken english style of writing and grammar?.

[13thredarmy]

People shouldn't get too hung up on the idea of being 'samurai'.

It is and was a social class nothing more. Some were soldiers but they could just as easily be policemen, lawyers, farmers, merchants, pimps or beggars.

Theidea that they some warrior caste is a pretty recent bit of propaganda.

[Fallschirmjäger]

Im not to hung up on it at all,just curious at the time.

[spiro]

As far as I know, early swords resembled European sabers, as Japan was emulating the West heavily. The kyu-gunto or 'First Military Sword' was introduced in 1875 for officers and 1886 for warrant officers. The blade was slightly curved with a handguard.

Some traditional Samurai swords, normally family heirlooms, were worn during the Meiji and Taisho eras. During the rise of nationalism in the early Showa era, a demand for a 'Japanese' style sword increased and in 1934 the Type 94 shin-gunto or 'New Military Sword' was introduced. It was a copy of old Samurai katanas.

Thanks for your very informative post.

[Lawrence]

Here's a few others.

General Nogi and staff officers.



http://process.portsmouthpeacetreaty.or ... nogilg.jpg

Landing at Chemulpo (Inchon)



http://process.portsmouthpeacetreaty.or ... chonlg.jpg

Japanese Infantry



http://process.portsmouthpeacetreaty.or ... armylg.jpg

Caricatures of the major figures



http://process.portsmouthpeacetreaty.or ... 1649Lg.jpg

Japanese soldiers helping a wounded Russian



http://process.portsmouthpeacetreaty.or ... RussLg.jpg

There is more from this following website, loaded with tons of pictures and great information.

http://process.portsmouthpeacetreaty.or ... index.html

[Eugen Pinak]

I wonder how many where ex samuri warriors,or was that to far back realy,but this was the 1900's and they where still fighting like that not to long before?.

Well, most of the older officers (that is, age 50 and older) were from samurai families.