| Place | Oceania: Pacific Islands, Bismarck Archipelago, New Britain, Gazelle Peninsula, Rabaul Area, Rabaul |
|---|---|
| Accession Number | REL30613 |
| Collection type | Technology |
| Object type | Edged weapon or club |
| Place made | Japan |
| Date made | Unknown |
| Conflict |
Second World War, 1939-1945 |
Japanese Army Officer's Shin-gunto Sword
Description
Japanese Army officer's sword. Shin-gunto mountings with a polished brass dragon design guard (tsuba). The grip has a double collar near the guard, one standard military and the other in brass with a pond and lily pattern. The grip is brown lace bound with the military cherry blossom menuki on each side and has blue enamel cherry blossom badges covering the peg holes. The habaki on the blade is copper and there is a junior officers brown/blue tassel attached to the pommel loop. The blade has a dull finish and the harmon on the edge is not visible. The sword was donated without a scabbard.
History / Summary
This sword was surrendered at Rabaul in 1945 by Lieutenant Colonel Murayama who was believed to have been a graduate of Sandhurst Military College in England prior to the Second World War. However the tassel on the sword does not verify this statement because it indicates a junior officer rank.