Japanese Swords - Macarthur Memorial, Richmond, Va

[zook]

Hi folks.  

I have a dated, color photo book (coffee table size) on the Pacific War which offers photos of a significant collection of showa period swords.  

The photo attributes the swords to the "MacArthur Collection."    I had heard some stories in old reference works that the General had a fair number of Japanese swords (not shocking to me).   I finally made a trip back to the museum this past Fall ... but was disappointed in the displays.  There were only 4 swords displayed in the entire museum (which, by the way,  is quite large).  Three of the swords are attributed to famous generals (Togo and Yamashita)   You will notice in the photos it says that the sword is "reported to have" belonged to Yamashita.  I have my doubts (... just an opinion).   I apologize for the quality of photos -  hard to take good shots with my phone and the glass case.  

 

Dan 

[zook]

When I saw the sword in the display attributed to General Yamashita,  the attached Getty photo immediately came to mind.   For a sword attributed to a well-known general, why would the Sarute be removed?  

 

Anyway - I inquired about the collection and recently heard back from the museum curator.  He admitted they do have a much more expansive collection (not further defined) but do not display the swords due to space constraints.  They are considering a "digital display" in the near term under the archives section of the website.   Dan 

 

https://www.macarthurmemorial.org/27/Museum

[PNSSHOGUN]

The only Yamashita sword I'm aware of is the one in Westpoint:

 

[Bruce Pennington]

Do you know who the second sword is attributed to? It has a Field grad tassel.

[PNSSHOGUN]

Hideaki Tojo.

[BANGBANGSAN]

山下奉文 Tomoyuki Yamashita &東條英機Hideaki Tojo

[zook]

Great feedback on Yamashita  -  I have not seen the West Point display!   

[Bruce Pennington]

Sooooo, I seriously doubt Tojo carried a Field grade tassel!

[BANGBANGSAN]

Sooooo, I seriously doubt Tojo carried a Field grade tassel!

It looks Brown and yellow General tassel to me.

[Bruce Pennington]

Sorry, I was referring to this one:

[BANGBANGSAN]

Sorry, I was referring to this one: 7AAD6511-9DAE-4C7D-81F8-E8B1A5EAF5E5.png

photo #2 is the same sword.

[PNSSHOGUN]

Yep, you can see the gold bullion thread near the Sarute.

[Bruce Pennington]

Oh never mind! I forgot the general tassel had red and brown laced with gold.

 

Just pretend this never happened {tiptoeing away now}

[kotkinjs1]

Tojo carried a Colt 1903?? Wow.

[PNSSHOGUN]

There were quite a few different pistols available for officers to purchase and carry beyond the Nambu, the smaller calibre semi autos like the 1903 were a popular choice.

[Jean]

Just to say say I am always astonished at the extent knowledge displaid by our members in the Gunto discussions. I bow down to your knowledge guys, you are real Pros. As I often say, real amateurs are often better than some pros...

[David Flynn]

May I also mention that,  Generals quite often had more than one sword.  The ones handed directly at the Surrenders however, are usually the ones attributed to that particular general, even if other swords were also confiscated.

[Bazza]

Gentle Folk,

 

As some of you will have read in other threads I'm having a massive cleanup and toss out.  All sorts of interesting stuff I had forgotten about percolated to the surface from even 40 years ago.  This thread includes reference to the West Point Museum and gives me a chance to mention a letter I got from the Museum 40+ years ago.  The text is self-explanatory.  Does anyone have a copy of the Museum Bulletin mentioned???

 

BaZZa.

=============================================================

 

11 October 1977

 

Dear Mr Thomas

 

Thank you for your recent letter requesting a copy of the West Point Museum Bulletin on Japanese Samurai swords.  I regret that this publication is now out of print and there are no more available.

 

MICHAEL E. MOSS

Curator of Art

West Point Museum

=============================================================

[PNSSHOGUN]

Most unfortunate, I wonder if they took in depth photos or went into the history of the swords?

[Death-Ace]

I had some pics when I was stationed in Portsmouth in 2012-2014. I'll see of I can't pull them up. The display seems like it never changed!

 

I do remember a certain collector with high end items (like an unrestored Sherman) woth had what was noted to be one of General Yamashita's swords. Not sure od the providence, but I need to find the old brochure.