After the fall of the last Samurai in Japan during the 1870s the Japanese remodeled their forces in the style of the first rate European militaries of the era. This included changing from the traditional Katana to the Western calvary saber.

But this wouldn’t last as in the 1930s as part of the rising nationalism in Japan their forces returned to their traditional designed sword.

Here’s Ian’s video on a mass produced Katana for the Imperial Army of Japan. [13:01] https://youtu.be/GGoQYELw1Eg?si=