Article about: The Golden Sword for the last Emperor of China In the recent weeks of researching sword related documents, I incidentally came across files on the presentation sword gifted to the Manchurian
In the recent weeks of researching sword related documents, I incidentally came across files on the presentation sword gifted to the Manchurian Emperor Pu-Yi by Japan. These documents offer great insight into how the Army went about procuring such luxurious swords and what it actually cost. The story is additionally interesting, as the man in charge on the Japan side later became the Commander of Japanese troops in the Battle of Okinawa, Mitsuru Ushijima.
On 1st March 1934, Pu-Yi, known as the last Emperor of China was crowned the Emperor of Manchukuo by the Japanese.
Shortly preceding this event, on 19th February, Kannichiro Ueno, Aide-de-camp of the Kwantung Army in Manchuria dispatched a telegram to Colonel Mitsuru Ushijima (later of the “Flag of our Fathers” fame) , the Adjutant General at the Minister of the Army, informing the Ministry of plans to celebrate the enthronement of the Manchurian Emperor by having senior Japanese military and civil officials in Manchuria chip in with donations amounting to a total of roughly 5,200 Yen for the purpose of presenting Pu-Yi with a set (Wakizashi and Tachi) of swords in gold (黄金造りの太刀).
For now, they planned to present the Emperor with a certificate listing this sword as an impending gift, which would follow as soon as the sword was completed. They added at the end, that depending on the cost, it could also be only the Tachi without any Wakizashi. They wanted to hear in return the expected delivery date for such a sword and asked the Ministry to organize manufacture.
Colonel Ushijima in Tokyo obviously informed in return that for the targeted budget of 5200, one sword would be more realistic, as the next reply from the Kwantung Army on 28th February said,
“We are grateful for your consideration and would like to settle for one sword as you suggested. We will proceed with necessary arrangements with the customs office here in Manchuria to ensure smooth clearance, and ask you to do the same, so no export problems occur at Japanese customs.”
A month later, on 27th March, the Ministry informed the Kwantung Army that the total cost was expected to come to 5,170 Yen, however, excluding the outer display case of glass requested. Because of fragility of glass cases, the Ministry suggested the case be made in Manchuria instead of sending from Japan.
Of the 5,170 Yen, a full 3,000 Yen was for the cost of the gold required for manufacture, which was required to be paid for in advance to the dealer. The blade was to be made by the Nihontoh Tanrenkai, so it was slated to be a Yasukuni-toh. Delivery was expected in 6 months of the green light to commence production work.
Last edited by Nick Komiya; 08-17-2017 at 09:04 PM.
The dealer commissioned by the Ministry to handle the project was Yutaro Hino (日野雄太郎) of Tokyo, a highly reputable dealer known for honesty and a keen eye for quality.
In April, Hino concluded a contract with the Army committing to delivery of the finished sword by 30th September 1934. This contract described the sword as 金装衛府御太刀, Gold ornamented Efu Mitachi, which was a style of sword worn by Imperial Palace Guards during the Heian period. The contract was for the amount of 4250 Yen, of which 3,000 needed to be paid him in advance for procuring the gold.
The detailed cost breakdown and spec descriptions provided by Ushijima to the Kwantung Army on 11th April gave the following information.
1. Yasukuni-toh Blade with carved Dragon design----- 435 Yen
2. Efu Tachi Koshirae (including Shirasaya, cloth bag, Sandalwood Box and outer box)---3,935.9 Yen
3. Tachi stand (including Sandalwood Box and Outer box)-----420 Yen
4. Transport packing ----------3.7 Yen
5. Design and consultancy fees to Mr. Komatsu of the Yasukuni Shrine Museum and Mr. Kurata of Nihontoh Tanrenkai (Japanese Sword Forging Association)---150 Yen
Total Cost 4,944.6 Yen
Koshirae Specs were as below
-The metal fittings were to be solid 18 carat gold
-The grip was to be finished in white ray skin
-The Saya was to be in frosted gold finish with arabesque floral designs and crest added in embossed gilt lacquer work
The sword for presentation to the Manchurian Emperor was finished on time and the Ministry wrote the Kwantung Army on 27th September that it would be best to have a member coming to Tokyo on a business trip carry it back to prevent damage and ensure smooth customs clearance, which otherwise might get hampered due to heavy use of gold decorations.
Perhaps there were no timely visits planned, because a month later on 30th October 1934 Tokyo informed that Major Yamaguchi, section chief of the Awards Section at the Ministry would hand carry the sword to arrive in Manchuria on 13th November.
The arrival was moved up by a day, as the telegram sent to Manchuria on 8th November informed of planned arrival at the Korea-Manchuria border crossing at Sinuiju Korea (part of Japan) at 7AM of 12th November, so someone from the Kwantung Army should come to greet the carrier and facilitate customs clearance at Manchurian customs.
The case file ends with a telegram sent from Manchuria on 15th November, thanking for the golden sword received by the Kwantung Army in the evening of 12th November 1934.
Unfortunately, I could not find any designs for the actual sword presented to the Manchurian Emperor in late 1934, but judging by the spec descriptions, it should have been like the golden Efu No Mitachi designs pictured below.
That is the question for all collectors. Though the grip may now be held together only with enameled copper wire after being searched for jewels, and the scabbard repainted in Flash Gordon gold for Halloween, you cannot miss the Yasukuni-toh blade with a dragon sculpted into it.
For the price of this single sword, the Army could have gotten 62 Rinji Spec officer swords of 1941.
Even the Emperor of Japan never had such a dazzling sword since the Imperial Household Ministry declined the intial all gold design for the 1913 Grand Marshal Sword for the Emperor and settled for silver, too similar to the Field Marshal Swords.
Here's what the Emperor missed having back in 1913.
The sword rack is also finished in gold and embossed gilt lacquer to match the sword scabbard. Here's Hino's spec descriptions of the sword and its rack.
The Sword of Gold for the Last Emperor of China
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by ghp95134
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