How did Japanese soldiers (WW2) get their swords?

[Drago]

@admins: Seriously, where do I post this? (here, Nihonto-related, military (but that only says "non-traditionally")???)

 

Hi,

 

well, as the title says. I know some officers had family blades remounted as gunto, but take the RJT blades for example...

 

Were swords given so them just as equipment depending on rank? Did they have to buy it themselves? Did the military say "Chose one from the arsenal in this price category"? Did the military pay for the blades?

(And: Were Officers and NCOs required to have a sword?)

 

In other words: how did Japanese soldiers get their swords?

 

[cabowen]

From what I understand, all officers including nco's, had to have a sword. The military provided the nco's with theirs, the officers purchased or provided theirs...Yasukuni and RJT blades were sold by the military through their px equivalent.

[Kai-Gunto]

Swords where sold by shops and officer clubs.

 

Kaigunto seppa with manufacturers mark and Toyokawa naval arsenal stamp.

 

Gunto Sei Saku Jo , located in Tokyo. Company was owned by Mr. Matsuyama. They made koshirae for army and navy and for police, diplomatic and ceremonial uses.

[Brian]

There was a really good post here on the NMB (Maybe by Morita san or George?) showing the wartime options for Gunto and the prices for each custom add-on.

But for the life of me, I cannot find it. Anyone have more luck? It showed the price of a basic gunto, and then went on to price all the extras you could pay for.

 

Brian