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

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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: 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]
  Sketch
  
• 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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