The introduction of a Mounting and Meaning of a Guntō
An officer's Guntō is "the individual general tools" defined by "regulation of a military uniform". The officer has chosen the blade freely. Therefore, a formal Guntō specifies a Mounting (Koshirae). The army determined the foundations of a Koshirae and two or more production companies manufactured the Koshirae respectively based on
basic regulation. Therefore, Koshiraes differ delicately respectively to elements, such as
liking of an officer, an officer's financial ability, a difference in a production company, a grade of a Koshirae,
and the domestic situation. Strictly, there is no same thing in an officer's Guntō. The essence of an officer's Guntō is the sword of command at a field battle, the symbol of a status, and the sword of self-defense. The officer controlled his heart by carrying a Guntō. The Guntō was an officer's strong emotional attachment and was the important general tools under pretense of the heart of Bushidō.
抜刀して指揮を執る近衛師団の青年将校
九八式軍衣袴を着用しているが、軍刀は九四式か九八式かは不明
九八式制定後は九四式の第二佩鐶を外して使用していたので識別は困難である The youth officer of the Imperial Guard Division(Konoe-shidan)
which extracts a Guntō and performs command. Although this officer is wearing military uniform of type 1938, It is unknown whether this Guntō is a Types 94(1934) or 98(1938).
After establishment of a Type 98, the officers who held the Type 94 removed and used the second Suspension mount of a Type 94. Therefore,
discernment of this Gunto is difficult.
( Photograph offer: Mr.Ronny Ronnqvist )
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制式勅令類 Adopted-types Imperial decree and notification ......................................