WW2 Imperial Japanese Navy Officers Dagger

The WW2 Imperial Japanese Navy Officers Dagger is a ceremonial edged weapon carried by commissioned officers of the Imperial Japanese Navy during the Second World War. This model features a nickel-plated steel blade with a single edge and typically measures approximately 23 to 25 centimeters in length. The hilt is distinguished by a wire-wrapped ray skin grip, brass fittings, and a pommel often shaped as a chrysanthemum, symbolizing the Japanese monarchy. The scabbard is generally constructed from lacquered metal with brass fittings and suspension rings for attachment to a uniform belt. Issued as part of the formal dress uniform, the dagger was intended as a mark of rank and status rather than a combat weapon. Its design reflects early 20th-century Japanese military aesthetics, combining traditional elements with European influences. These daggers are of interest for their historical association with naval personnel in Imperial Japan and their role in Japanese military regalia.