Reclaiming the Sword - The Story of the Shin Gunto

[@geekychannel1524]

In the Sino-Japanese war, soldiers of the chinese military also carry a type of tradditional sword name Dan Dao so I think their are definetly some blade on blade combat during the war.

[@AlexHalt100]

*there. there = place/location. their = something belongs to someone, They`re = they are.

[@Asbjorn268]

Would have been one hel of a spectacle on the battlefield. Imagine being a soldier hiding behind cover, only to look up and see your officer and the enemy officer in the middle of a duel

[@rogerr.8507]

Dadao

[@rahbee6266]

I read that in the jungles of southeast Asia, the Gurkha went blade to blade with the Japanese with their khukris

[@sertorius3319]

Warlord Era China had suicide units called Dare to Die Corps that were used as shock troops, as well as sword wielding units for enforcing discipline and political repression. Chances are a sword-wielding Japanese soldier stands a good chance at getting blown up by his opponent’s explosive vest.

[@MasonMorgen]

It's important to mention that in literally all pre-modern societies there was no distinction between the spiritual and material world, in ancient germanic realities swords were named like Kaldbroðir (Cold-brother) and Isarnfrændi (Iron-friend).

[@thelegate8636]

I have a Type 32 saber. It was a working sword meant for NCOs and cavalry troopers and has none of the katana/tachi esque embellishments or strange 2 handed grips that some of the officer's kyu guntos had. When it's in its scabbard, it could almost be mistaken for any European enlisted saber. It's only when it's unsheathed that the Japanese influence becomes apparent, with the blade being very similar to a katana/tachi in its edge geometry and overall shape. It's a very interesting sword.

[@nathanb5579]

Would be cool if you made a video showing the sword!

[@bickyboo7789]

Damn I just checked out the Type 32 Ko model and it looks so badass. Has a really cool knurled metal and wooden grip too. I love sabers.

[@M138.]

I'm so happy you covered this, you're one of my favorite channels

[@jimross7648]

This was brilliantly done. I was aware of some of this information, but unaware of other pieces of information. You put this episode together in a through and readily understandable manner. Rather than the piecemeal understanding, I previously had. You have provided me with a coherent narrative from the the end of the Sengoku Jidai to today, Explaining the reasons for swords importance in both Japanese society as a whole, and the Japanese Military in particular. It was a educational journey. Thanks for taking me along.

[@TheShogunate]

Thanks Jim! I'm glad you found the video very informative!

[@DoBrasilaoJapão]

Did u know Brazil had the largest population of japanese outside Japan since the 1930's? And that after WWII there as a Japanese nationalist terror1st organization in Brazil called Shindo Renmei who didn't accept Japan's defeat and mcarthur had to send newspapers and documents from the surrender to the Japanese community in Brazil? That would be a nice episode

[@daniloalves1139]

nossa nunca soube desse grupo

[@DoBrasilaoJapão]

@daniloalves1139 tem um livro chamado corações sujos e um filme sobre isso. 30 mil japoneses foram presos no Brasil suspeitos de serem membros do grupo

[@durbeshpatel3047]

​@@daniloalves1139 because its not real, theres alot of japanese but its not significant and there was no holdouts. This was only in the philipines

[@KageNoTora74]

What about Peru? They had a Presudente that was straight-up Japanese.

[@DoBrasilaoJapão]

@@durbeshpatel3047 there's 2 million japanese descendents in Brazil, in the 1930's it was already the largest community outside Japan, I'm one of then, now many don't even speak japanese anymore but back in 1945 there was a lot of them who thought japan had won the war bcz the brazilian government banned radio transmissions from Japan and there was no news on real time. Actually some of the very fanatics one in Brazil still belive Japan won the war even today

[@greeneclipse8088]

I got my genuine Type 95 Shin Gunto for $360 from a guy who had no idea what he had. I'll never find such a good deal again

[@-RONNIE]

Thank you as always for the video and information it was really good

[@Bjorn830]

Excellent video! I've enjoyed learning WW2 history since I was a kid, and I learned new things from it.

[@sansundertale4662]

You were my teacher back in my sophomore year you honestly made me want too try 10 out of 10 teacher

[@vincent4013]

Heavy use of the World of Warcraft ambient music in this video for some reason 🤣 Which is excellent, but I never thought someone would tell me about early imperial history set to the swamp track.

[@sugarstar2573]

I got so excited when I saw you posted a new video! Love your channel!

[@Derapplecraze]

I’d love to see a video going over what life was like for the average person during the early years imperial Japan

[@themadrazorback2019]

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Human_Condition_(film_series)

[@duncanbleak3819]

Very informative and fascinating video. You effectively convey the significance and history of this blade and the honor it, ideally, should represent. Thank you.

[@410cultivar]

That lime about being much closer than in kendo gave me goosebumps. I practice an old kobudo style and that's a big part of our exercises

[@ycplum7062]

To be fair, Kendo was intended for training of armored samurias. The wrist and throat were unarmored (or much less protected protected). While a helmet would protect the head, a good hit would daze the opponent. The shoulder, chest/stomach, and arms would be some of the most heavily armored parts of the body.

[@KageNoTora74]

What the fuck is a... (checks notes)... samurias?

[@geekychannel1524]

@@ycplum7062 well not realy, Kendo was develop during the Meiji era so I don't think that it was intended for armored combat. It was a sport and always has been.

[@ycplum7062]

@@geekychannel1524 The use of bambo practice swords for training dates back to the early 1700's or so. It was formalized nationally in the Meiji era. The movements and targets are based on the original pre-Maiji teachings. Just like the rules for Olympic fencing was based of teachings centuries ago.

[@geekychannel1524]

@@ycplum7062 yes the use of bamboo sword for training and sparring has been around for a time but that was kenjutsu or gekkiken not Kendo. You can look up some footage of old school swordsmanship like Tennen Risin Ryu or Hokushin Itto Ryu. Although they use shinai and bogu, their tactic and mentality is totally different from Kendo.

[@monstersdoexist]

I sold my bring back Shin Gunto to a collector. After missing it for a few years, I purchased an extremely well made replica and proudly display it with my other Katanas.

[@pillarnexustheancientgladiator]

Awesome video. I have to wonder how many swords have been passed down over generations, such that their journey would make for an interesting story.

[@KageNoTora74]

Some guntos were assembled using heirloom katana blades, usually in the hands of officers, while NCOs were more likely to be issued new manufacture blades.

[@Martin-u2b8d]

Awesome documentary. It really shows that the narrator speaks Japanese and knows a lot about Japan

[@spacemarine00]

First solid video you've done in some time @TheShogunate. You should end your Edo series and cover the growth of Japan in the modern era (Boshin War, Korean Conflict and Manchruai Grab, then later WWII). Could help boost the channel

[@marklastname373]

Great video, thank you for taking the time to make it ❤

[@drivertsunami5966]

Thanks. I own a Kyu-gunto and a Shin-gunto as well as other katanas. I love all the types and variations and your videos just confirmed my expected values.✌️❤️🙏🐾

[@karlmannvoigt7546]

22:35 If I had to guess, the difference between kendo fighting and practical application of the sword in (1930s/40s) combat, is armour. Kendo as you mentioned is descended from earlier period swordfighting, when slashing and stabbing resistent armour was the standard for a soldier in battle, and could reasonably be expected to be encountered. Hence why thrusts toward the throat and cuts of the wrists would be important, since these would be more lightly armoured areas of the body more susceptible to damage when fighting an armoured opponent. Body armour has recently seen a great increase in usage in recent years, however, by the first and second world war it was almost entirely restricted to helmets and (potentially) clothing somewhat resistent to stabs and slashes. When you're on a battlefield like that, where most soldiers will likely be carrying what is effectively a spear that can shoot (that's what a rifle with a bayonet mounted is in essence), strikes toward the bodyparts that are easiest to hit are necessary.

[@GermanSausagesAreTheWurst]

A similar thing can be said about ancient forms of Jujutsu. Some techniques that appear to be impractical to modern self defense, make more sense when you realize that the intended opponent likely had 50 Lbs of armor. The old Koshiki No Kata from Kodokan Judo, for example, has several such techniques. They could be easily adapted for modern soldiers wearing lots of gear, but wouldn't be as effective in street clothes.

[@MrAllmightyCornholioz]

Another thing in kendo is shinai are straight. When Japanese entered Meiji era and abolished the samurai, swords were still used in police force. The sword design was much straighter and more commoners learn kendo.

Very intersting Video. Thank you very much

[@peterwilson5528]

A great documentary well presented.

[@jean-paullebas4067]

My dad has a sword that was left in the house he was in when he was a kid, it was a type 94 officers sword. Pretty cool to see it and think about its history

[@camerongunn7906]

I remember during my tours in Iraq I would carry a relatively large Bowie knife, about 12 inches. Trust me I got all the big knife quotes from Crocodile Dundee to Rambo, you name it. I never regretted carrying that knife, especially on overwatch positions at night.

[@shannonandsheila1403]

Holding a rifle why would you be so concerned with a bowie knife

[@AdamOwenBrowning]

@@shannonandsheila1403 For the up-and-close, especially in the dark, especially when you can't be sure if some Afghan policeman is going to decide you're no good. plenty men had some kind of knife/pokey thing, to open things, packaging etc maybe 12" is a little impractical yes, but this soldier or marine found comfort in it, and all power to 'em.

[@connorperrett9559]

@@shannonandsheila1403 You wouldn't understand.

[@vorynrosethorn903]

Psychologically people are much more afraid of knives, not to mention it gives confidence that you have a backup for a worst case scenario or in the case of someone sneaking up on you. Also it's probably a much better tool than the bayonet as it wasn't acquired designed by committee or made by military contract, though saying that there will absolutely be guys pick up tourist tat made out of tinfoil that weighs several kilograms and stops them from being able sit without it going where nothing should, but even if you stop those guys they'll just go back to chewing on live cables and snotting sherbet up their nose. Military professionals are usually quite sceptical about bothering with the extra weight, but of course they make exceptions for proven troops who do it anyway. No one sensible is going to tell the gurkhas not to, generally it's just because it's the sort of pretentious thing green troops do so they delight in mocking it out of them, and those guys own higher ups try to stop it so that they don't get hit in the crossfire.

[@ycplum7062]

Never understimate the psychological benefits of having "cold steel" close at hand. However, if you are "jumped" at night, I would think a 6" to 8" blade would be more useful. lol

[@TheCCBoi]

Cool and great video, you should swing by the Toyama-Ryu schools (WW2 kenjutsu style of the Imperial Army) in Minneapolis, MN - Florida and New York city.

[@chronicdose]

They were part of samurai's expected dress code: a short and long sword, worn at all times. They absolutely used them but this does not mean during and after Edo they were main weapons. Spears, bows, two handed long blades and polearm were primary as before, but absolutely the swords would always be used if last resort or only resort. Also straight swords and kendo have a relationship with civilian (non samurai) use, such as police. Look up "ask shogo policeman straight sword". Kendo was explicitly a sport which anyone regardless of class could participate and primarily was non samurai.

[@TheShogunate]

Granted that I do believe this is an interesting topic which deserves further research, I think it is quite safe to say that the sword became the main weapon of the samurai during the edo period. You don't see spears and bows used nearly as much as the sword at this time, especially with the rise of many sword schools.

[@samuraijackoff5354]

​@TheShogunate Edo was when "battle weapons" were outlawed from the general populous and caused the shortening of blades, right?

[@hanzohattori5980]

Thank you for the video shogunate ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@andrewdonovan219]

Excellent summary of japan's modern use of swords.

[@michaelshelton5488]

Ian McCollum of Forgotten Weapons published a book on this topic

[@michaelshelton5488]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/Z5TKc2mEpr2Ihdksi=qxQZ5aF4YCiEmTNa

[@michaelshelton5488]

I posted this comment before I watched the entire video, obviously 🤦🤣

[@MikeVal1369]

I just wish you had given more detail on the shin gunto themselves. My family has a type 95 that my grandather got on Saipan from a Japanese soldier who had no further need of it, that connection drew me to the video.

[@Seburo77]

Great video, thank you!!

[@7878-x5w]

The irony of the Washington Naval Conference (1922) is that it probably benefited Japan militarily. It gave Japan an inferior warship tonnage ratio of 5:5:3 against the UK and US, but this represented in hindsight a significant reduction of US warship capacity compared to Japan. It makes sense why Japan would be offended, but hindsight shows how it made sense for Japan.

[@282XVL]

Also pushed them to embrace the aircraft carrier. Which went outrageously well for them, right up until that one unlucky day off Midway Island anyway.

[@sertorius3319]

Not to mention that the UK and US have multi-ocean commitments, so the IJN would enjoy local superiority.

[@kamikazeviking3053]

The limitations placed on the US and UK is exactly why they still did sign the treaty, despite the complaints. However, the 5:5:3 ratio was too much for Japan, considering they are an island nation with significant ambitions in the Pacific. They might have been much more accepting of a 5:5:4 or 4:4:3 ratio, but only being able to have just over half the number of ships as the US was too little.

[@7878-x5w]

@ Yes but part of the logic is that the UK and the US each had two separate oceans to defend, while Japan had only one. The U.S. had to split its fleet between the Atlantic and the Pacific. The British between the Atlantic and the Indian Ocean. Japan, on the other hand, only had a fleet in the Pacific/East Asia. The idea was that each nation has a rough equality of naval forces in all the oceans they defended. While on paper he ratios look unfair to Japan, the logic was to try to make all three of the nations equal to each other in their respective regions.

[@xedaslopes3975]

great one

[@jielibai2912]

Finally know a bit about the sword my grandfather took back from his tour. He saw it glistening in the water and dove off his boat to recover it. Thanks for the info! P.S. like the wow music in the background.

[@PreacherGriff]

Interesting that most of the first hand accounts mention that learning how to properly draw the sword is important. To me that sounds like they aren't just running around with their swords drawn, but are drawing them and using them in response to an enemy showing up close enough to use it. Drawing and using a full length sword isn't exactly the quickest or most compact of movements, relative to a knife or pre-fixed bayonet or even just shooting, so mastering that skill makes total sense.

[@hicham12ful]

This is a very good topic. Very Interesting

[@SpeedDemon_Editzzz]

Pls do upload more on Modern Japanese Warfare You're the only credible and reliable source I refer to learn of Ancient and Pre Modern Japanese History💯 I wanna learn of the Modern Era too

[@michaelshelton5488]

Japan at War has really good videos on historical Japanese warfare but he hasn't put out any content in a while

[@michaelshelton5488]

youtube.com/@japanatwar?si=AN1GBUQhPzFzlea9

[@SpeedDemon_Editzzz]

@@michaelshelton5488 Yeah been following him for years too Sorry my bad I should have wrote the most reliable not the only one💯

[@alexwest2573]

I’ve been considering getting a repro of the Type 95, I always thought the locking mechanism that some of Shin Guntos had was neat.

[@joshfarrow9707]

Best channel on KZbin

[@KazumaIshinpabu]

私たちの歴史の中でこのチャンネルが大好きです I love this channel on our history 🇯🇵🇯🇵🇯🇵🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

[@robertbeaulieu2999]

As a sword collector, I have seen an old Koto blade on Gunto fittings. It was not common for an officer to take a family heirloom to service with them.

[@drewschumann1]

Not common, or not uncommon? Updating koshirae is normal.

[@giulioandre-q2v]

So, the true method made katana was produced the most, between very late 1920s and arround 1931 i guess. And they probably saw the most use in the chinese theater. The expensive ones first ordered in yasukini and minatogawa ended up im guessing, in the hands of higher officers in the battles of shanghai and nanjing for sure.

[@michaelborror4399]

A simple elegance that cultivates calm focus and responsibility, no wonder nobunaga must be a crowd favorite with not taking everyone's swords away, and after the uprising I guess, I may be able to make some great shields to go with my swords one day though, but not every sword of the same type weighs as much as another with how much steel you'd wanna carry into the field on your right side not your left if you aim with your right eye on your left hip in the reeds.

[@chiron14pl]

Very interesting. As you note, use of sword in combat died out early in 20th century, with this exception. The one story I remember from the west is an eccentric Scotsman who landed on D-Day with his claymore and actually used it in combat. I don't know if there are any other stories of sword use from the west in this period

[@thomasandrews2045]

The " Koa isshin mantetsu" is the pinnacle showato! And over all the the best weopon among the various types of swords made during the second world War period.

[@michaelbates1640]

This music resonates deeply.

[@RodasTadeus]

Having a bigger handle is what sets japanese swords apart from many others and what gives much advantage on the techniche and usage.

[@1fredwahl]

Very good.

[@giulioandre-q2v]

So, in the battle of shanghai for example. They where using minatogawa and yasukuni shin gunto, and type 94 swords.

[@ragingjaguarknight86]

Way cool topic. Plus, I think the Imperial Japanese Navy variant of shin gunto was called "kai gunto." Years ago, I saw a daisho set of two, but they were only replicas. Still, they were pretty cool looking. Overall an awesome video. 😎👍 PS: i like old weapons, I'm working on making a macuahuitil. 🤣🤪😃

[@TomMoffitt-z9d]

My father was in the Pacific in WWII. In of August of 1945, he received the surrender of a Japanese Officer on Guam and removed his swords. His officer took the long sword from him. He hid the shorter sword and tucked it into his pants and boot to get home with it. He had it appraised and found it to be 300 years old. It is a work of art and craftmanship.

[@spiderman6451]

I found this very interesting. I have my grandfather's sword he brought back from the battle of batan.

[@AGermanFencer]

Oh yes nice! Lets dive into the weird world of showa to :D

[@NapoleonTotal]

I remeber using this at Guadalcanal and now I'm using it in Burma. Great video keep it up!!!

[@ABEAZYdaRonin94]

I wonder if there is any connection between the process of how the Imperial military mass produced gunto prior to and during the war, and modern production katana mass produced in China today.

[@davidt3563]

Regarding the testimony from the soldiers. People charging with guns with bayonets would likely be running with one shoulder towards the enemy. So it makes complete sense why a sword welding combatant would want to slice at the shoulder, or depending on the runners angle, stabbing toward the stomach. It would be completely apparent in Kendo too, if one person was just running at you with a gun/bayonet.

[@giulioandre-q2v]

I see a few pictures of japanese soldiers with katana already in 1931. But the pictures and footage of the battles of shanghai and nanjing feature a LOT of kanata. Many many japanese style blades. At that point, battle of shanghai for example.. most of this swords would be the yasukuni shrine made and the type 94s then. Is that Right..

[@ramibairi5562]

Where can we find more accounts on sword use in combat such as the ones quoted above ?

[@adamweaver1594]

Im so glad i got my hands on a shin gunto made by Masazane. Pretty sure its made of tamahagane too.

[@RodasTadeus]

Nice

[@picklerick8785]

I watched this with a late war shin gunto taken by a Marine on Saipan in 1944 hanging on my wall.

[@michaelshelton5488]

Many view the Satsuma Rebellion as "the last stand of the Samurai". Was that a Sabaton quote? 🤔🤘

[@AdamOwenBrowning]

no, Sabaton took that quote that Sabaton song would have you thinking that Takamori wasn't also using guns!

[@ProvencaLeGaulois]

It would be interesting to look into how westerners soldiers reacted to being attacked with literal swords in the 20th century.

[@kaidorade1317]

The blade that cut the Ring from Sauron’s hand!

[@Tal-q3r]

samwise? 😄

[@llama341]

Is “that” where this is from? I don’t recall seeing him with a ring.

[@Tal-q3r]

@@llama341 see! you agree 🤣

[@shinsenshogun900]

Narushiro is reforged into Anatoriruso

[@Tal-q3r]

mum shall decide! (w mini-halal pepperoni pizzas🤤)

[@saksari93]

It's important to understand that melee combat was a much more fundemental part of the overall infantry combat in the Sino-Japanese war than in the other fronts of World War II. In fact this is where Banzai charges originated from. Chinese were constantly short on ammunition and automatic weapons as well as being on average poorly trained throughout the war. Such troops wouldn't have been capable of laying down enough surpessing fire to counter an agressive melee charge and their formations often broke after coming into contact with a Banzai charge. There's no doubt that it's these succesful uses of melee charges in China what caused Japanese to hold sword and bayonet combat in such high regard even as weapons of modern war. On the other hand when such attacks where utilized against American troops, the results were completely different. Initially they shocked the marines, who were not expecting the Japanese to conduct such brazen attacks, but as they had the appropriate amount of firepower to deal with these attacks and they learned to mentally prepare as well as counter for them over time, the effectiveness of Banzai charges was drastically decreased. It's here that the modern image of Japanese conducting Banzai charges as a last resort suicide attack to avoid the disgrace of defeat was born (and to be fair, this was true on many cases on this front) and why many misunderstand the Japanese obsession with melee combat in this era as being a relic of their honor bound ancient culture.

[@chrism2027]

The spirit of the samurai, true with the Japanese soldiers, very courageous and honorable to fight with the sword.

[@TurtleMaximus]

I knew I recognized the Wetlands music in this video.

[@TheWardog16]

When I was in high school, I took a class about The Second World War. The teacher had a veteran that served the whole campaign on Iwo Jima come in and talk to the class. He was there start to finish, all 36 days. He would bring in all these things he brought back, including a Katana. The story I heard was that he went in to clear a small cave system, crouching as it was so small. He passed by some dead Japanese on the ground, 45 in hand. His buddy was at the mouth of the cave and yelled out to him to turn around. One of the Japanese soldiers had gotten up and had a sword, but the cave was too low for an overhead swing, so he lunged. The marine at the cave entrance shot the charging Japanese soldier dead before he stabbed our veteran in the cave, and he took that sword and said "blow this damn cave up." That veteran brought in that exact sword to show the class, the one that nearly killed him. Sadly, I never met him, nor the class as he was in failing health when he was supposed to come in. He passed away that year. Our teacher told us that story and a few others when he couldn't come in, and it's stuck with me ever since.

[@johnqpublic2718]

Spears and Bows being more ubiquitous early on is not surprising to me, at all.

[@12345678927164]

Always be proud of your ancestors history and traditions. I know I am humbled in learning about the swords of Japan. Much respect to their heritage. -A German.

[@bobbyd.1890]

Swords of the Emperor is a great book.

[@SusCalvin]

The last use of police sabers in Sweden was in '65. The new national standard made the baton uniform.

[@danalden1112]

In March 1945, A Squadron of the 3rd Carabiniers was in action near Lewingon toward the final stages of the Burma campaign. During the fighting, a tank commanded by Captain Hubert Cornaby was attacked by two Japanese soldiers on foot. The first was killed by fire from one of the Squadron’s tanks. The second assailant, an officer armed with this sword, cut down Captain Cornaby in the turret before climbing inside the hull to kill the gunner. The gun loader, Trooper Vernon Jenkins, emptied his own pistol and then fired three more rounds from the dead gunner’s weapon, before the Japanese officer fell. Trooper Jenkins was awarded the Military Medal for saving the lives of his surviving crew and presented with the sword by his regiment.

[@raphlvlogs271]

blades can last much longer than hilts when properly preserved

[@JCOwens-zq6fd]

Idk if swords were ever really considered the main weapon. Just like in modern day the pistol is what is carried for self defense most often but usually still is not considered ones "main weapon".

[@Ronin47Zai47]

Will you play Onimusha way of Sword

[@petealonso2535]

My father fought in the Korean War mostly against Chinese communists because the Korean communists forces had been decimated by then , he told us stories of the war and said Koreans by and large did not drink , many were Christians in fact Pyongyang was considered the Jerusalem of the east and most fled south , he remembered that, he also remembered seeing some Buddhist temples but by then the devastation was horrendous due to the heavy fighting , Korea was desolate and devastated .

[@JustinPrice-r8j]

That's so weird. Koreans are legendary for how much they drink these days.

[@tabletsam5624]

Some German Officers used the Saber too. As used in old times.

[@dbundhoo1989]

Thought not necessarily a sword the gurkhas fall in this grouping with the kukri no ?

[@5555petros]

I remember a PS2 game set in the PTO which was made in part with the History Channel and one of the weapons you could have was the Shin Gunto if you killed a Japanese officer. It was by far the most fun part of that game clearing the levels with only the Shin Gunto.

[@connorperrett9559]

The idea of a Marine deciding that superior Nippon steel is better than any gun and deciding to only fight with a sword is kind of hilarious.

[@ollieoil5666]

Do you remember the name of the game?

[@5555petros]

@@connorperrett9559 Protagonist: Guns can jam and run out of ammo. But the blade... the blade will never betray you!

[@5555petros]

@@ollieoil5666 The History Channel: Battle for the Pacific.

[@AceMoonshot]

I'd hate to have had to tote a sword around all the time in a shootin' war.

[@Cheka__]

Is a samurai sword better than a dothraki sword?

[@Montblanc1986]

The crazy idea of a sword in modern combat is what got many of them killed.

[@lkzhang820]

There was a Japanese company making such swords during Pre-war and WWII period shifted to make toys during Post-war period.

[@alexvisser5913]

16:45 onoda?

[@tomhirons7475]

i have 5 my grandfather was a medical doctor in Burma in ww2 and brought them back to UK. I have them on my wall above the Union flag.

[@ShikamaruXT]

Blades have no need for ammunition. Arrows are both sillent and reusable. Never underestimate older weapons, as we learn from "Mad" Jack Churchill.

[@james-faulkner]

The Gurkha used their kukri all the time, they have official training with it. When the Gurkha went on patrol the Japanese would pull in their patrols.

[@hanchiman]

I always thought the Shin Gunto was "disowned" by Katana appreciators due to this sword was used in a "Dark period" of war crimes. One infamous incident was the "100 beheading" story after Nanjing battle where two IJA did a competition if a machine stamped sword or handmade sword was better (these two was later captured and executed themselves by a soldier who survived Nanjing) Didn't the US Marine say the worst part fighting against the Japanese was the Banzai charge where there is a mixture of Bayonet and shingunto chopping? Think the Marine say at least there be some marine be seriously injured or maimed and worst. Die from their IJA blades I recall, after Japan surrender, alot of their weapons, sword included ended in the hands of the Chinese (both side, but mostly on Communist side) and in Vietnamese Vietminh during their liberation war against France

[@JohnDoe-yq9rt]

Most of the stuff about Shin Gunto swords is off. Katana fans don’t hate them because of war crimes-they just see them as cheap, mass-produced versions of traditional katanas. The "100 beheading contest" story is sketchy and likely exaggerated. US Marines didn’t fear Banzai charges because of Shin Gunto swords; the chaos and numbers were the real threat, with most Japanese soldiers using rifles and bayonets anyway. And no, most Japanese weapons didn’t end up with China or the Viet Minh-the majority were taken by the Allies, especially the U.S., for destruction, repurposing, or as war trophies

[@hanchiman]

@JohnDoe-yq9rt The Chinese did capture alot of Japanese weapons though during their own campaign in 2nd Sino-Japanese war though. Even let some of their POW to live if they can teach how to operate their weapons. Although their gunto might just be trophy as the Chinese already have their own Dadao swords

[@rogerr.8507]

@@JohnDoe-yq9rt basically everything he repeats is wrong :p

[@JohnDoe-yq9rt]

@@rogerr.8507 yes, this guy sounds like he’s Chinese and has some sort of inferiority complex towards Japan.

[@jacobitewiseman3696]

Well it wouldn't be that shocking when in ww1 in the western front used melee a lot.

[@matthewjay660]

I'm inclined to listen to sword veterans. 🗡️🇺🇸🤝🇯🇵

[@whiskeymonk4085]

My grandfather aced two Imperial guards on Okinawa. He didn't take their swords or their blessing flag. He never spoke ill of the Japanese to my father. Turns out, my grandfather was a samurai slayer.

[@bushwhackeddos.2703]

And today Japan is still Japan and America is overrun.

[@AntiChris84]

@bushwhackeddos.2703 Japan is overrun with depression and suicide

[@godzilla5599]

Okay no expert but a few things I feel about this. First how these swords compared to older ones-really if they were spring tempered then they'd walk all over a Katana carried by the likes of Iyasu or Nobunaga since those were differentially hardened and would bend easy or chip,about the only bad thing with the WWII swords is the steel scabbards,those wreck havoc on the edge. Second the kendo thing-face it ALL martial arts now are based on "sport" and in a real fight wouldn't work or would get you killed right quick,I'm sure what that solider said about using one would be pretty close to what a Samurai from the 1500's would tell you. Lastly-myself? I've said for a long time WWII was the real last gasp of the Samurai and you can see a lot of things Hideyoshi was up to when he went after Korea in the late 1500's happen in WWII

[@killurrstudios]

It was not the last gasp of the Samurai. Hirohito and the Showa administration puppeted the Samurai image as propaganda when, conveniently, the Imperial administration under Hirohito's predecessor is what disbanded the Samurai. Although there's a lot to be said about the Hideyoshi analogy - both he and Emperor Showa were madmen.

[@vksasdgaming9472]

@@killurrstudios Showa Emperor's predecessor did not abolish samurai class during his short(ish) 14-year reign. Additionally Showa Emperor's role in Japanese imperialism is very debatable. Practice of kicking Emperor out from practical politics had long tradition.

[@killurrstudios]

@@vksasdgaming9472 Not his DIRECT predecessor. I meant Emperor Meiji. Also Emperor Showa's and the Imperial Court's role in Japanese Imperialism is only debatable if you are historically inept although his cabinet was worse.

[@michael3088]

I mean most European armies were still using swords and lances in ww1 so it's really not that long ago that we stopped using them rather than a 'by gone era'

[@ronalddunne3413]

Swords were more than fighting weapons of the soldier, they also served as political and social terror- both symbolically and in a very real literal sense. They represented the Terror arm of the oppressive state and social order. This was true (and to some extent still IS) not only in Japan, but to one extent or another in every constituted state.

[@elia_catalucci]

Really nice video. I was wondering if u could make a video in the future about shogi, the japanese variant of chess. It would be nice to know its history and if it was played by samurais.

[@natetendencia]

9:43 so that's how the imperial Japanese song came to be. Battotai