Original Item. Only One Available. This is a very nice all-original WW2 Imperial Japanese Army Taiwan Colonial Occupation Hannin Level Official's sword with Scabbard. This sword was issued to an official that was assigned to occupation duty in Korea during World War II, which was one of the six colonial territories that Japan captured and held during the war. Not much is known about the structure of the colonial administration, but we do know that officials were given ranks Hannin, Sonin, and Chokunin, in ascending order. These officials were given swords, which were very similar to the Naval officer type, featuring a fold down guard that acted as a scabbard lock. However, unlike the naval swords, the grips had side tabs, which in this case were marked with the insignia of the specific Colony.

In addition to this, the rank of the official was also indicated on the sword, with the Hannin level sword being relatively plain, while the Sonin and Chokunin swords had floral insignia on the top of the guard, the hilt back strap, and on all of the scabbard fittings. Sonin level swords would have a single floral insignia, while the Chokunin would have two, and the specific type of insignia used varied on the specific colony. For Taiwan, the flower was a cherry blossom with foliage around it, while on the Korean swords it was the same 5-7 Paulownia crest (五七桐, Go-shichi (no) Kiri) used as the colonial insignia. For more information please see the book Swords of Imperial Japan 1868-1945: Cyclopedia Edition by Jim Dawson, pages 338-358, where Japanese Colonial Empire swords are discussed, including this specific type on pages 342-345.

The sword is in very good shape overall, with a beautiful black ray-skin covered handle and brass fittings. The pommel carries the Japanese Cherry Blossom emblem used throughout the military, while the sides of the backstrap have the "Dual Triangle" insignia used by Japan to refer to the colony of Taiwan, one of 6 parts of their colonial empire. The sword fittings are plain pebbled and gilt brass, without any additional decorations, indicating the lowest rank of Hannin in the Colonial administration chain of command. This Naval style Kyu Gunto sword also has a folding leaf that is part of the crossguard that serves as a catch for securing the sword in the scabbard. The scabbard is a beautiful polished sharkskin shagreen wrapped wood example with gilt brass fittings and a chain between the hanger rings.

As you can see from the high resolution pictures, all of the brass fittings and crossguard on this sword are very nicely made with lots of detail, showing a lovely aged patina with traces of the original gilding. The 25 1/2" carbon steel blade is European style, with a fuller near the spine, and does not have maker marks of any kind. It is possible that it once had a faux HAMON temper line, but the blade now shows overall staining and oxidation from service. It is relatively sharp, so it is possible it was used in the field, however we do not see any post manufacture sharpening.

The original scabbard is very attractive and in very good all-original condition. It is constructed of wood with a beautiful shark-skin wrap, which does show some tears and seam lifting in areas. It also should be noted that the adhesive that originally attached the throat fitting to the scabbard has deteriorated, so it now can be removed from the end of the scabbard. We do not have the correct period glue to repair this, so we have left it as is.

This is a very attractive WW2 Imperial Japanese occupation sword and would be a great addition to any WW2 militaria collection. This Japanese Taiwanese occupation officials sword would display very nicely, particularly in the scabbard on a stand.

Dimensions:-
Overall length: 31 1/8”
Blade length: 25 1/2”
Hand guard: 3 3/4” width x 5” length
Scabbard length: 27 1/2”

Taiwan under Japanese rule

The island of Taiwan, along with the Penghu Islands, became an annexed territory of the Empire of Japan in 1895, when the Qing dynasty ceded Fujian-Taiwan Province in the Treaty of Shimonoseki after the Japanese victory in the First Sino-Japanese War. After Japanese forces crushed the consequent Republic of Formosa resistance movement, Japan ruled Taiwan for 50 years. Its capital was located in Taihoku (Taipei), the seat of the Governor-General of Taiwan.

Taiwan was Japan's first colony and can be viewed as the first step in implementing their "Southern Expansion Doctrine" of the late 19th century. Japan, which aimed to turn Taiwan into a showpiece "model colony", made efforts to improve the island's economy, public works, industry, cultural Japanization (1937 to 1945), and support the necessities of Japanese military aggression in the Asia-Pacific. Japan established monopolies and by 1945, had taken over all sales of opium, salt, camphor, tobacco, alcohol, matches, weights and measures, and petroleum on the island. Most Taiwanese children did not attend schools established by Japan until primary education was made mandatory in 1943.

Japanese administrative rule of Taiwan ended in September 1945, when Japan surrendered to end World War II and the territory was placed under the control of the Republic of China (ROC) by General Order No. 1 from US General Douglas MacArthur. Japan formally renounced its sovereignty over Taiwan in the Treaty of San Francisco effective 28 April 1952.