Arisaka bayonets are very unique. They belong to the Japenese Arisaka rifle. These rifles were used primarily in World War 2. The rifles were named after Colonel Nariakira Arisaka. He was the leader of a commission in the 1890s that was in charge of creating new rifles. These new rifles were being created to replace some of the older ones like the Murata. Arisaka rifles are very special because they were designated to the current emperor who was in control at the time. For instance, the type 38 rifle was made in the 38th year of Emperor Meiji's reign.
Many of the Arisaka rifles are stamped with a 16 pedal chrysanthemum. The chrysanthemum was a symbol of the Japenese Emperor and since these rifles were made to honor the emperor at the time they were stamped with the flower. Many of the Arisaka rifles found after the war have the flower partially ground off. This was a “face-saving” gesture. Many Arisaka rifles and Arisaka bayonets made their way to the U.S. This makes them one of the most commonly found foreign rifle in the U.S. today.