Japanese Kyu Gunto Saber

Japanese Military Kyu Gunto

Exact replica of the original Japnese military saber (weight and dimensions as the original).

Kyu gunto or "Russo-Japanese swords", these katana and western saber hybrid swords were used by Japanese Army and Naval officers in WWII, the earlier Russo-Japanese war and Imperial Japan’s colonial conflicts. They were produced from 1875 until 1934 and existed alongside the more traditional looking Shin-Gunto swords. All officers in the military were required to wear a sword as a badge of rank. The one offered here is in the style of the army Kyu-Gunto.

The Kyu gunto style became popular as the Japanese modernized their armies with western technologies and doctrine, wholly adopting the military practices of colonial powers while actively discouraging the feudal past. Thus the Kyu gunto style was a katana-like blade with motifs that harkened to Japan’s martial past while embracing the grip and overall styling of western sabers. In the years before WWII, Japan’s nationalism soared as it recognized its colonial ambitions and the once shunned samurai became nationalist symbols of power and martial heritage. Thus the newer Shin gunto swords emulated the samurai blades of old and were produced from 1935 to 1945.

Overall Length: 32 5/8".
Blade: 25 1/2".

Decorative, non sharpened display replica.

Japanese military swords.