With the close of World War II, I became aware of two types of Japanese weapons: Nambu Semiautomatic Pistols and Samurai Swords. In my juvenile mind-set, all Japanese swords were "Samurai" and all pistols were "Nambu." Furthermore my acquisitive interest in weapons was largely focused on pre-Colombian, lithic arrowheads and spear points. To be sure I had found a number of antique cartridges in my search for arrowheads. Then in 1963 I purchased several Toledo daggers and navajas as I passed through Spain. But my real interests in antique and exotic weapons came later with the discovery of the rusty mechanism of a Model 1873 Winchester Rifle. With the assistance and guidance of Ed Butler, we completely restored the metal parts and fitted new walnut stocks. Viola, it was a gorgeous piece. I was totally hooked.
Navajas and Dagger from Toledo, Spain
Although old Winchesters suddenly became my main focus, they also served to heighten my interests in other exotic weaponry. With the release of Jacob Bronowski's television series and book, The Ascent of Man, 1973, I hurried to acquire the work. Of the many aspects of science that his works opened to my mind, only one will be considered here -- the meld of science and ritual in the ancient metallurgy of Japanese swordsmithing. (See Bronowski 130-133)
Less than a year later I had the opportunity to purchase a Shin Gunto, war prize from the estate of a World War II Veteran, Virgil Day. The previous owner took the sword from a Japanese officer whom he killed on New Guinea in 1944. Day was in the Seventh Air Force, 469th Fighter Squadron. Their airfield was under constant fire and changed hands several times. It was during one such night skirmish that he acquired the sword.
Holding the Shin-Gunto in a Tenchi No Kamae Stance
Shin Gunto means "New Military Sword." In essence it was forged during the "Showa Period," i.e. the "Reign of Bright Peace." Showa was the official designation for the reign of the Emperor Hirohito. Shin Guntos were made between 1926 and the end of World War II (the "Pacific War" of the Japanese). But to me it was like a Kokuho, a National Treasure Sword. I could almost imagine it was forge-welded by Goro Nyudo Masamune, Japan's greatest swordsmith who worked during the Enkyo Era of the Emperor Hanazona, including one called the Enduring Comet after the year of the same name, 1308 on the Christian Calendar. At the end of World War II a Masamune Blade was presented to President Truman and now resides in his Presidential Library and Museum at Independence, Missouri.
The Disassembled Shin Gunto
Sword Part Names
Unfortunately my Shin Gunto falls a bit short of a Kokuho, but it remains a historical piece in its own little way. Too bad we will never know the name of its original owner, but thanks to my friend, the late Tadako Keen, who translated the chisel cut characters on its tang we know the month and year of its creation as well as the name of the smith who made it.
For more about Japanese Samurai swords, watch for my forthcoming novel Hachiman Taro, Firstborn of the God of War, due to be released by Tate Publishing Company in the coming months. Hachiman Taro is the name of a fictional Temple Sword and Kokuho, created by the real wizard swordsmith, Sengo Muramasa in the sixteenth century. The sword would come to have impact on American POWs at the end of World War II.
More about the novel will appear in subsequent blogs.
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