Sword, surrendered as part of ceremony marking surrender of Japanese forces in Burma, 1945

This sword was surrendered to Lieutenant-Commander B Whitcutt of the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve, by Captain Hiroshi, as part of the ceremony at Rangoon marking the surrender of Japanese forces in Burma in 1945. All Japanese officers in South East Asia were required to surrender their swords to British officers of similar rank.

The sword is an ancient 'katana' sword, adapted for modern military use. The blade is of the 'Shinto' period, around 1600.

Many Japanese officers carried such precious swords and their formal surrender was a highly symbolic and personal act.

Record details

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Online ID:	000-180-002-401-C
Image Rights Holder:	National Museums Scotland
Project:	0504: National Museums Scotland Part 2 Project description \| View all records in project
Ref:	National Museums Scotland M.1992.220.6
Date:	Blade: Around 1600; Hilt: 1942 January - April 1941
Material:	Pen and ink; signed; dated. Inscription: [Signature and date]
Dimensions:	160 mm x 306 mm
What:	Sketch
Subject:	Paintings and drawings
Who:	287 Field Company, Royal Engineers (British land forces) Ronald Searle, Tourtour Village, F.83690 Salernes, France (Delineator)
Where:	Scotland, Kirkcudbright (Kirkcudbright Barracks) Scotland, Kirkcudbrightshire, Kirkcudbright
Event:	World War II
Description:	287 Field Company, Royal Engineers - Signed and dated pen and ink sketch entitled `Soldier sleeping, Kirkcudbright Barracks`, on of six drawn by Ronald Searle whilst serving in Kirkcudbright, Scotland, January - April 1941
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