Sword Carry by WWII Japanese Officers

TIZWIN

TIZWIN

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Hello friends. I do not visit this sub-forum often, but I wonder if the regular participants might help me. I'm currently writing a book about my late father's experiences as a rifle platoon leader in four campaigns in the Pacific Theater of WWII. The stories in the book will include his acquisition on the field of battle of a Japanese officer's swords. One is the type carried in the field, encased in a leather-covered scabbard. Another is a more fancily-fitted sword, used, I suspect, for ceremonies. The last is a short dagger in shirasaya, which my father always called a "hara-kiri knife." Along with the swords, my father obtained the officer's "good luck" flag, inscribed with his family's blessings, and two rice bowls. Dad recalled that the officer was a major, and the field sword's red-and-blue tassle I believe indicate a company-grade officer.

What I'm requesting is any information specifically about the carry and employment--in modern times--of swords by officers in the Imperial Army. I need to find out the protocol and traditions of such. I can only find literature about kenjutsu and other practices from earlier periods. Perhaps my interest is too esoteric. Books, articles, whatever.

Thanks in advance for any help.
 
My understanding is the Japanese government is trying to get some of the captured Samurai swords back into Japan, claiming some of them are 'National Treasures' which should not have been taken as trophies. Worse, because of changes in US laws during the course of the war in some cases the US State Dept. and Justice Dept. have been known to go along with the idea. I would research this issue before I started publishing descriptions of captured swords I might have inherited.
 
They should have thought about that before they joined hands with the Nazi's and bombed Pearl Harbor.
 
I believe what you may be thinking of is the fact that in the mid 80's til present time, there were many Japanese collectors who came to the states setting up at sword expos. While at the expos, many of them would offer free appraisals of swords and often times offer to purchase the more desireable blades.

I have heard myth that the U.S. gov't has posession of a historically important blade. As to any fact behind this, I have no clue.

Murph
 
It depends on what you call "historically important" swords. There were several excellent
swords given at various times to US presidents, diplomats, etc. Gen. MacArthur was
given several very nice swords (many on exhibit at the MacArther Museum). But I reiterate that the Japanese gov't is not trying to obtain any swords from the US,either public or private sources. In fact most swords from WW II you can't even sent to Japan under their
current weapons laws. If needed I can reference the regulations.

http://home.earthlink.net/~steinrl/nihonto.htm

Rich
 
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