I know that the Japanese Army issued swords to both officers and NCOs. I saw a documentary that stated that Japanese soldiers had used these swords in combat. Was this true?
Cordially,
Berichter
Japanese use of swords
The samurai sword was both ceromonial and practical to the Japanese soldier. All soldiers could own one, but I believe that only NCOs and officers could wear them in service. (If I'm wrong, somebody please correct me).
While the Military had their own brands of swords, a soldier could use his own private sword as part of his uniform. Many descendants of samurai wore their ancestors sword in service and battle.
The famous 'Banzai' charges involved an officer drawing his sword and leading his men into enemy fire. I'm sure some close quarter fighting involved swords being used.
I remember a specific story I saw on a documentary. It occurred during the Battaan death march, where a Japanese officer was horseback riding past a line of Americans and slicing wildly into the line with his sword as he rode past.
While the Military had their own brands of swords, a soldier could use his own private sword as part of his uniform. Many descendants of samurai wore their ancestors sword in service and battle.
The famous 'Banzai' charges involved an officer drawing his sword and leading his men into enemy fire. I'm sure some close quarter fighting involved swords being used.
I remember a specific story I saw on a documentary. It occurred during the Battaan death march, where a Japanese officer was horseback riding past a line of Americans and slicing wildly into the line with his sword as he rode past.
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Eden Zhang
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Panzermahn
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Here's an excellent website about Nihon no Gunto (Japanese character)
http://www.h4.dion.ne.jp/~t-ohmura/index.html
Both officers and NCOs were issued swords. Firstly they were all issued beautiful but useless western sword, then the field army changed them into traditional Japanese Gunto after Xifengkou battle (Xifengkou is a placename of the Great Wallin north China, Chinese 19th army fought there with Japanese army by using traditional Chinese broad sword in 1934). But navy and high rank army officers also have western command sword.
http://www.h4.dion.ne.jp/~t-ohmura/index.html
Both officers and NCOs were issued swords. Firstly they were all issued beautiful but useless western sword, then the field army changed them into traditional Japanese Gunto after Xifengkou battle (Xifengkou is a placename of the Great Wallin north China, Chinese 19th army fought there with Japanese army by using traditional Chinese broad sword in 1934). But navy and high rank army officers also have western command sword.
Petty officers of Eta Jima Naval Academy
IJN Dagger
IJN dagger, sharkskin scabbard, no inscription, Meiji era
IJN dagger, lacquerwork scabbard, no inscription, Meiji era
from the top:
IJN dagger, oxhide scabbard, no inscription
IJN dagger, sharkskin scabbard, no inscription
IJN dagger, sharkskin scabbard, "Tensyosan" inscription, Tensyosan is a placename at Kamakura, former Shogun capital near Yokosuka and Yokohama. IJN had a forging plant there
IJN dagger, sharkskin scabbard, no inscription
"made in Tensyosan"
