Why did the Imperial Japanese army carried swords?

Aren't they obsolete since the invention of gun powder.

Why did the Imperial Japanese army carried swords?
To cut various things up. Even today, soldiers still carry bayonets.





Gunpowder only works well at a distance...
Reply:Part of the tradition and culture.





By keeping samurai elements in place they were able to build a fanatical devotion to the Emperor. They used Japanese culture to shape their soldiers into blood thristy zealots willing to sacrifice themselves for their nation.
Reply:It's a guy thing. Honor - Tradition - Symbolic.





This is a great site about swords and the traditions surrounding them. http://www.realarmorofgod.com/cultural-t...





And this is the site about the Japanese traditions surrounding the sword (katana): http://www.realarmorofgod.com/japanese-s...





Interesting.





p.s. Buddha 13 ... I have my dad's "saber" ... he was an officer in the U.S. Navy during WWII .. the sword has always been part of the traditional dress uniform for officers in the military.
Reply:Mostly symbolic and carried by officers only.





I believe our officers carried swords during the Civil War, also.
Reply:Tradition and Superstition.





They were also used as close combat weapons. Even though we have gunpowder we still issue knives such as the K-BAR.





P.S. - Ever heard of bayonets?
Reply:I doubt it seemed obsolete when you were being killed by a three foot razor.
Reply:My nephew, a Marine Colonel still wears his for dress occasions.
Reply:To cut off heads
Reply:part of tradition and the uniform...
Reply:By and large, they were badges of rank - Not unlike the pistol in some Western armies, but with a lot more lore and tradition involved. Truthfully, *very* few killed anyone by the sword, but as a badge of rank and leadership, they're hard to beat.