A gunto ("military sword") was a ceremonial sword produced for the Imperial Japanese army and navy after the introduction of conscription in 1872.
In response to rising nationalism within the armed forces, a new style of sword was designed for the Japanese military in 1934. The Type 94 shin gunto officers' sword replaced the Western style kyu gunto in 1934. It had a traditionally constructed hilt with gray skin wrapped with traditional silk wrapping. A cherry blossom theme was incorporated into the guard, pommel and ornaments.
The change to the Type 98 shin gunto occurred in 1938 and was essentially a simplification of the Type 94. There were only minor differences between early Type 98 swords and the Type 94 swords that preceded them. The second hanging point was omitted from the scabbard. Many changes occurred to the Type 98 between 1938 and the end of the war in 1945. Late in the war, Japan's supply of metal was drying up; shin gunto were produced with painted wooden scabbards and cheaper or no brass ornamentation.
