Type 98 Shin Gunto

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	Weapon: Type 98 Shin Gunto Type: Officer Sword Country of Origin: Japan Year Adopted: 1938 Overall Length (mm): 1030.0 Weight (kg): 1.00

The Type 98 Shin Gunto was a Japanese military officer's sword introduced in 1938 as a refinement of the earlier Type 94. Drawing inspiration from traditional Japanese samurai swords, it featured a curved, single-edged blade, typically machine-made or semi-handcrafted, with a hand-finished edge. The hilt was wrapped in traditional ray skin (samegawa) and cord (ito), with a decorative metal handguard (tsuba) that reflected a blend of modern military functionality and traditional aesthetics. The scabbard, often lacquered wood or metal, was designed to be lightweight yet durable, suitable for field use by officers.

Production of the Type 98 spanned from 1938 until the end of World War II, with tens of thousands manufactured to equip the growing officer corps of the Imperial Japanese Army. Early models were produced with high craftsmanship, utilizing traditional forging methods, while later examples during the war increasingly relied on machine production to meet demand. The decorative and symbolic elements of the sword, such as family crests and custom fittings, varied depending on the officer's rank and personal preferences, but mass-production simplified many of these features in later models.

The Type 98 Shin Gunto was widely used by Japanese officers throughout World War II, becoming a symbol of their authority and martial spirit. It gained notoriety due to its association with the military campaigns of Imperial Japan, including in regions such as China, Southeast Asia, and the Pacific islands. Today, the Type 98 is a significant artifact of the era, collected for its historical value and as a representation of Japan's blending of tradition and modernization during a turbulent period in its history. While controversial due to its wartime use, it remains a fascinating study of cultural and military symbolism.