Grenades:

Japanese Model 91 (1931) Hand Grenade:
The Model 91 (1931) fragmentation grenade could be thrown by hand, fired either from Models 10 or 89 grenade dischargers, or fired from a rifle grenade discharger with tail assembly added. The base contained a primer and propelling charge for use when firing from a grenade discharger.

Japanese Model 97 (1937) Hand Grenade:
The Model 97 (1937) was one of the most widely used grenades of the Pacific War and was carried by all Japanese front line troops. It was nearly identical to the Model 91, except it had no provision for a base propellant attachment and had a shorter fuze delay time. It could not be fired from a grenade discharger.

Japanese Model 99 (1939) Hand Grenade:
The Model 99 (1939) was smaller than the Mode 97 and 91 fragmentation grenades and unlike these, it had a smooth, cylindrical body with a flange at either end. It could be launched from a special rifle grenade launcher. Since the firing pin was integral with the firing pin holder, no screwing or unscrewing was necessary as with the Model 91 and 97 fragmentation grenades. The Model 99 could be used as a booby trap by removing the safety pin and setting under a floorboard, chair or dead body.

Type 100 Flamethrower:
The Imperial Japanese Army developed some types of flamethrower. Type 100 flamethrowers were used in the Philippines and Indonesia in the early Pacific War. However, flamethrowers had been hardly used after that. It seems due to that the Japanese had a few opportunities to attack the enemy fortifications.

Arisaka Type 30 Bayonet:
The primary kind of bayonet used on Japanese rifles in World War II was the Type 30, introduced in 1897. They averaged about 20 inches in overall length and were produced in 18 distinct manufacturing patterns, but most are similar to the one shown here. Along with his rifle, each soldier also had a bayonet. The Japanese favored an extra-long, "sword" type bayonet, which was certainly a wicked-looking affair; much of the effect of a bayonet is often psychological anyway. The extra length of the "sword" type may have helped compensate for the shorter reach of the average Japanese soldier, who was only about five foot three. One of the qualifications for promotion to private first class was that the soldier had to be at least five foot three inches tall.

Type 98 Military Sword:
The Imperial Japanese Army was the only force that actually used swords in combat during WWII. Before Type 98, the military swords had two sling rings. But it became one type since Type 98 according to the advice of Hikozo Ito, who was a famous swordsman.

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This exhibit was researched and designed by [Robert Wood Finley].