Object number
4201.323
Title
A Japanese military sword, Shin-guntō: Shōwa period (1926-1945)
Creator
Description
A Japanese military sword, Shin-guntō from the Shōwa period (1926-1945), with saya (scabbard) belonging to Lt Col Harrison. He was one of the first officers sent to Japan to learn the language following the Anglo-Japanese treaty of 1902.
Sugata (configuration): shinogi-zukuri (longitudinal ridgeline) with shallow tori-zori (even curve) with medium kissaki (blade tip). Single hi (groove) on both sides of the blade above the shinogi; mokume (wood grain) ground. Hamon (tempering pattern): suguha (straight).
Koshirae (mounting): wooden saya (scabbard) with standard military leather foul-weather cover; copper gilt habaki (blade collar), standard military mokko tsuba (quatrefoil hand guard) decorated with cherry blossom and small nanako punch marks, plain fuchi (collar) and kabutogane (pommel) with suspension ring; wooden tsuka (hilt) wrapped in same (rayskin) with brown silk itō (braiding) over brass menuki (hilt fittings) in the form of triple cherry blossoms.
The area of the leather scabbard near the tsuba has the painted name ‘Yoshida’ – presumably the owners name. The itō shows little sign of wear and may have been replaced.
Date
1926 - 1945
Production period
Shōwa period
Material
Dimensions
- Length: Sword 912 mm
- Width: Sword 73 mm
- Length: Scabbard 720 mm
- Width: Scabbard 58 mm
- Length: Blade mm
- Width: mm
- Width: mm