Original Item: Only One Available. The first standard sword of the Japanese military was known as the kyu gunto (旧軍刀, old military sword). Murata Tsuneyoshi (1838-1921), a Japanese general who previously made guns, started making what was probably the first mass-produced substitute for traditionally made samurai swords. These swords are referred to as "Murata-to" and they were used in both the Sino-Japanese war (1894-1895) and the Russo-Japanese war (1904-1905).
 
The kyu gunto was used from 1875 until 1934, it closely resembled European and American swords of the time, with a wraparound hand guard (also known as a D-Guard) and chrome plated scabbard (saya), the steel scabbard is said to have been introduced around 1900.

Prior to 1945, many kyū guntō were distributed to commissioned officers to fill a demand for swords to Japan's expanding military officer classes. To distinguish individuality, wealth or craftsmanship, many swords were produced in batches as small as 1–25 to maintain the legacy of sword culture. Styles varied greatly, with inspirations drawn from swords of early periods, familial crests, and experimental artistic forms that the Meiji Restoration period had begun to introduce. Some examples have included European style silverworking, jade, cloisonné, or metalwork and paint for artistic relief.
 
Parade swords will occasionally have a family crest (mon) on the backstrap of the hilt. This one features a Wisteria vine blossom and leaves in a ring. The fuji (wisteria) mon is one of the ten most famous Japanese kamon. The purple flowers of the wisteria vine bloom at the beginning of spring, and the related kamon represent beauty and elegance. The wisteria itself has a very long lifespan and an especially high rate of propagation, traits that the mon's users hoped to receive themselves. The fuji mon is directly tied to the Fujiwara clan, the most powerful and prosperous of all the Japanese noble families.
 
Kyu-gunto swords, also called Russo-Japanese swords, were used by Army, Cavalry and Naval officers during the Russo-Japanese War and WWII. This style of mounting was used from 1883 until 1945. Like shin-gunto, a great variety of quality in both blades, traditional and machine made, and mounts is seen in kyu-gunto swords. Many variations are found in the scabbards of kyu-gunto swords including chromed metal, lacquered wood or leather covered wood with brass fixtures. Any style scabbard may have a leather field cover. Those swords with elongated hilts and mekugi (peg for holding blade into hilt) are more likely to have hand forged blades, while the swords lacking mekugi generally are machine made and may have chromed blades. The backstraps of naval kyu-gunto swords have no side pieces while army kyu-gunto and colonial swords have side pieces with various emblems on the backstrap.
 
This is an excellent example of an Army Officer Kyu-Gunto, complete with the original nickel-plated scabbard and mon on the back strap. This sword was produced prior to WWII or during the early war period, before the fittings were switched to aluminum, and construction simplified. The 31 inch long blade on this example is machine-made, with a fuller near the spine, and is fully nickel plated. The plating is still in excellent condition, with just a bit of scuffing, and has a lovely simulated hamon (temper line) etched into the blade near the edge. Overall length of the sword is 36 inches.
 
The hilt is an ornate cast brass example, with lovely cherry blossom and other floral motifs on the back strap. The metal originally fully gilt, and it still retains some, with wear in the expected areas. It has the standard 10-petal Cherry Blossom emblem jutting out from the back strap on both sides, indicating Imperial Japanese Army use. It has the standard European-style "D" guard, as well as a very nice black celluloid covered grip, with the original brass wire binding fully intact. The original leather blade buffer is intact, however there is some play in the fittings, still making this a great example.
 
The scabbard (saya) is nickel-plated steel, which is mostly intact, with some wear on the drag area as well as small areas of bubbled plating. It is a very simple design, patterned after European swords of the 19th century. The hanging ring is still present and has retained the plating well. The scabbard has a few minor dents and there is some green discoloration throughout the scabbard.
Overall this is an excellent example of this type of sword, and was definitely an upmarket version. This would make a worthy addition to any Japanese military collection. Ready to display!

Dimensions:
Overall length: 36”
Blade length: 31”
Hand guard: 4” width x 5” length
Scabbard length: 32 ½”
 
This Japanese Army "Parade Sword" is often mistaken for the almost identical "Police Sword" but there are distinct differences.
 
This Army sword was first adopted in 1875 (Meiji 8) as the Type 8 Kyu-Gunto (First Military Sword). It was later modified in 1886 (Meiji 19) as the Type 19 Kyu-Gunto. Regulations state that the grips of these swords for officers below the rank of General shall be black horn, although other materials may be seen. General Officer swords were to have grips made of turtle shell. Type 8 sword scabbards have two suspension rings while Type 19 swords have one ring that is removable or only one suspension ring after circa 1932.
 
The quick way to determine the difference between Army and Police swords of this type is to note the backstrap decoration. Army swords will normally have a ten petal cherry blossom on the back of the pommel and on the "ears" of the backstrap. Nearly identical Police swords will have a Police badge on the back of the pommel and a five petal cherry blossom on the "ears" of the backstrap. The same applies to ten- and five-petal cherry blossoms found in the guard design.