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Samurai sword in new Japan Self-Defense Force emblem causing controversy
TOKYO —
For the most part, the world seems to have decided that samurai swords are pretty cool, aesthetically speaking. The katana is also one of the most instantly evocative symbols of Japan, which is why it shows up frequently in the logos of events and organizations related to the country.
Samurai swords are even experiencing something of a renaissance these days, as a byproduct of the surging interest in history among young Japanese women. However, a katana recently appeared somewhere that critics are saying is inappropriate: the emblem of Japan’s Ground Self-Defense Force.
In May, the GSDF unveiled its new Sakura Katana insignia. One of multiple emblems the organization uses, the Sakura Katana features the flag of Japan above a samurai sword, with a cherry blossom-shaped star, a common motif in GSDF uniforms and paraphernalia, at the bottom.
At first, it might be hard to see what all the fuss is about. After all, the members of the GSDF are the closest analogue in modern Japan to the samurai of old. However, unlike certain military organizations, such as the United States Marine Corps, none of the GSDF uniforms have personnel wearing a sword. The last time soldiers in Japan carried swords was in World War II, during the days of the Imperial Japanese Army.
Because of this, some in Japan are saying that this visual connection between the GSDF and the IJA is insensitive towards the countries that were on the receiving end of Japanese military aggression during the first half of the 1900s. What has the potential to be particularly problematic is that the Sakura Katana emblem is to be used in international peacekeeping operations and joint training exercises, where it will also be part of banners, plaques, and other commemorative items. In other words, it’s in a position to be getting greater-than-usual amounts of attention from people of other nations.
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https://www.japantoday.com/category/national/view/samurai-sword-in-new-japan-self-defense-force-emblem-causing-controversy
fine, remove the sword, replace it with a shadow of Godzilla, problem solved!
5 replies
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= new reply since forum marked as read
and still in High Demand as art ..so whats your point? How many American GI's walked away with a Katana or Kimono after the War?
Do You even know where most of Japan's Katana are these days? In the United States, as collector items.
So much so that, Japan has passed a law stating that all Real Katana's made by master sword makers can not LEAVE Japan unless under certain circumstances:
http://www.jssus.org/nkp/japanese_sword_laws.html :
In 1950 the Bunkazai-hogo-ho 文化財保護法 took effect, in which important artwork of exemplary artistic and historic significance can be designated as Juyo-Bunkazai 重要文化財 ("important cultural property"
and Kokuho 国宝 ("national treasure" . At present ca. 900 swords are designated Juyo-Bunkazai, and out of those 122 are Kokuho. Although anybody - including non-Japanese - can own such an item, it has to remain in Japan under penalty of law. If such a sword is sold, the government reserves itself the right to buy it for "a fair market price". Only if this right is waved, a private person can buy it (which explains why such swords are usually sold at the end of the fiscal year).
