Real Samurai Sword

Introduction

The swords used by the Samurai*¹, have a long history. Each sword had great significance and was devised to be advantageous in warfare in each era. The history of swords is also deep, and they have been used in different forms since long ago.

This time, we will introduce the histories and types of swords used by Samurai during the Sengoku*² period.

Samurai*¹

It is a status designation for officials in ancient and medieval Japan, or an alternative name for the samurai that evolved from it.

Sengoku*² period

This is a period of Japanese history in which warfare occurred frequently from the end of the 15th century to the end of the 16th century.

History of Samurai Swords

Samurai swords have a long history. It is interesting that the types of swords created and the ways in which they are used change with each era. So, from here, I will introduce the history of swords.

Kofun Period

Swords are often thought of as a weapon of the Kofun Period*³, but they have been in use for much longer than that. It was first made in the Kofun period. At that time, iron processing and iron manufacturing technology were flourishing, and swords began to be made.

The first swords made in Japan were straight swords called straight swords. It has a double-edged shape with blades on both ends, and does not have the warping of swords used during the Sengoku period. Rather than “slashing” the enemy, people attacked by hitting or thrusting.
Speaking of weapons in the Kofun period and the Nara period*⁴, spears, bows and arrows were the mainstream. Swords were often used in Shinto*⁵ rituals rather than in battle. It was also used as a burial accessory for those of high rank to put together in the burial mound.

Kofun Period*³

It is an archaeological period following the Yayoi Period in Japanese history, and refers to the period in which kofun tumuli, as represented by the anterior and posterior circular mounds, were actively constructed.

Nara period*⁴

One of the period divisions of Japanese history, the period when the capital was established by the 43rd Emperor Genmei in Heijo-kyo (Nara, now Nara City, Nara Prefecture) and Emperor Shomu in Naniwa Palace.

Shinto*⁵

Festivals and rituals related to gods. These include praying before the gods and visiting the gods, and are often associated with the deities of a particular religion.

Heian period

In the middle of the Heian period*⁶, battles using bows and arrows and spears changed to cavalry battles. In order to attack with a sword while riding two horses, the sword must be easy to draw. As a result, the sword began to warp slightly.

Heian period*⁶

(Enryaku 13 (794) – Bunji 1 (1185) / Kenkyu 3 (1192)) is one of the period divisions of Japanese history. It is called the Heian period because Heian-kyo in Kyoto was almost the only political center of Japan until the establishment of the Kamakura shogunate.

Kamakura to Northern and Southern Courts period

The period from the Kamakura period*⁷ to the Northern and Southern Courts period*⁸ is said to be the golden age of swords in Japan. Conflicts intensify in various places, and battles are constantly fought. As a result, the demand for stronger and easier-to-use swords increased.

The result was a sword called the Odachi

, which has the “triple threat of unbreakable, unbent and cuts well”. The blade length is very long at 90-150cm, making it possible to attack with a certain distance.

Kamakura period*⁷

The Kamakura period (late 12th century – Motohiro 3 / Shokei 2 (1333)) is a period of Japanese history that refers to the period in which the shogunate was located in Kamakura (present-day Kamakura City, Kanagawa Prefecture). It is called this because the Kamakura Shogunate, which became the center of nationwide governance along with the Imperial Court, was located in Kamakura, Sagami Province.

Northern and Southern Courts period*⁸

One of the historical divisions of Japan. The period between the Kamakura period and the (narrowly defined) Muromachi period, which is included in the Muromachi period in the broad sense of the word.

Muromachi period

The Muromachi*⁹ period, long swords such as odachi gradually fell out of use. Swords became common, and not only samurai but also common people came to possess them. From cavalry battles, group battles where individuals fight on foot have become mainstream. As a result, the Uchikatana with mobility was active.

Muromachi*⁹

The Muromachi period was ruled by the Muromachi Shogunate (Ashikaga Shoguns). The name “Muromachi period” is derived from the fact that the shogunate was located in Muromachi, Kyoto.

Momoyama period

In the Momoyama period**¹, conflicts began to settle down, and swords began to be displayed more for ornamental purposes than for combat. Opportunities to use swords decreased sharply, and the types of swords also decreased little by little.

Momoyama period**¹

The period in Japanese history when Nobunaga Oda and Hideyoshi Toyotomi held the central government.

Edo period

The Edo period**², there were almost no battles. Swords suitable for practice will decline, and the demand will drop steadily. Swords were disposed of due to the ban on swords, etc., and the disposal of swords by anyone other than bureaucrats such as the police was completely prohibited.

The Edo period**²

The Tokugawa period is a period of Japanese history that refers to the reign of the Edo shogunate (Tokugawa Shogunate). It is also called the Tokugawa period or Tokugawa Japan. It is also referred to as the Hansei period in the local histories of the regions where clan governments were in place.

Types of Samurai Swords

The shape of the samurai sword has changed over time. There are some swords that have survived to the present day, but the swords produced differ depending on the era in which they were mainly used. Check out how the main types are summarized.

Straight sword

The straight sword is the first sword made in Japan. Since there is no warp, it is mainstream to attack with thrusts. During the Kofun period, it was rarely used in practice, and was mostly used for events such as festivals.

Although it was an ancient sword, it looked and was used differently from the type of sword that people today recognize as a sword.

Tachi

Tachi is a weapon that began to be used around the 12th century in the late Heian period. Demand continued until the early Muromachi period, and it is a sword that has been popular for a long time. Tachi is generally used by hanging it on the waist, and it has a great advantage that it is highly curved and easy to pull out. The blade is as large as 70-80 cm, allowing for a wide range of attacks.

Uchikatana

Uchikatana is the Japanese sword itself that comes to our mind. The blade is about 60 cm long, and the warp is slightly shallow, making it easy to insert and remove. Since the sword is attached to the waist with the blade facing up, it is useful in foot battles where it must be pulled out immediately.

It was not used as a main weapon, but was often used as a secondary weapon when the spear broke or the bow and arrow broke.

Wakizashi

A wakizashi is a small katana with a length of 30 cm or more and less than 60 cm. As the name suggests, it was used for self-defense as a weapon invisible to the opponent because it could be held on the side. The sword was a weapon that only samurai could wear, but the wakizashi spread among the townspeople, and many ordinary people were allowed to own it.

The wakizashi was small and could not keep a good distance, but it was able to turn around in a small radius, so it was effective in close quarters combat and in battles in narrow spaces.

Tantou

Tanto is even smaller than Wakizashi, a small sword less than 30 cm long. Rather than using it in battle, it was mainly used to decapitate a defeated military commander or for self-defense. It is small and lightweight, so it can be handled by women and children.

In addition, it was also used as a talisman to protect against misfortune. It is said that the imperial family even held a ceremony to present a new short sword to a child.

Naginata

The naginata gets its name from the ability to mow down the enemy. It’s a spear-like long weapon with a 90cm blade. You can create a gap between you and the enemy, and the long reach makes mid-range attacks possible.

However, because the naginata has a long blade, it is often difficult to wield it well and injure allies in teamfights. Since this disadvantage is a big loss, it gradually declines as a weapon and is replaced by the spear.

Spear

Like the naginata, the spear is also long, so you can attack from a distance. The main fighting method was to hit the enemy by swinging it down, or to attack by stabbing with the edge of the blade.

Spears come in a variety of sizes, with long-handled spears ranging from 4 to 6 meters, and large spears measuring over 4 meters. It was suitable for close quarters combat, as it allows you to attack targets while keeping your distance. It is a weapon that was often used at the end of the Sengoku period.

Gunto

Gunto refers to swords used in the military. There is also a type called a saber, which can be used to attack enemies with one hand. Being able to use it with one hand increases your mobility in battle, making it easier to fight.

Another major feature of the saber is that it is lightweight and easy to handle. It also has the advantage of being easy to hold and hard to drop because it has a semicircular brim called a guard.

Daisho

Daisho is a combination of two swords of different sizes. The main Uchigatana and the secondary Wakizashi are often called together, and from the Edo period onwards, the size of the sword became common as part of the formal attire of the samurai.

It is not meant to be used as a two-sword style, but to be carried around as a set is called large and small. There were no restrictions on the combination, and sometimes separate swords were used as a set, and sometimes a set was made by the swordsmith from scratch.

Famous Samurai Swords

Each sword used during the Sengoku period has a lot of thought behind it. Some are handed down as mementos of loved ones, and some have been used for generations. So, from here, I will introduce the actual samurai swords.

Daidenta Mitsuyo

Daidenta Mitsuyo is a sword that has been handed down for generations in the Maeda family, where Toshiie Maeda was the pitcher. It is characterized by having a family crest only on the front with a plum motif. Originally, it was presented to the Ashikaga family, but it passed into the hands of Toyotomi Hideyoshi and was given to Maeda Toshiie.

The sword was made by Tenta Mitsuyo Miike, a swordsmith in the Heian period. Said to be the founder of the Miike school, a group of swordsmiths, he was a great figure who possessed the technique of breathing soul into Japanese swords.

Kunitsuna Onimaru

Kunitsuna Onimaru is considered one of the Five Great Swords of Japan. This sword was created by Awataguchi Kunitsuna, a swordsmith in the Kamakura period.

There is an anecdote that this sword cut many people, and it is said that Yoshiteru Ashikaga, the shogun of the time, actually used it on the battlefield in addition to the Hojo clan. In addition, it has passed into the hands of famous samurai families such as the Toyotomi family and the Tokugawa family.

Dojigiri Yasutsuna

Dojigiri Yasutsuna, who is listed as one of the top five swords in Japan, is known as one of the most valuable swords used during the Warring States period. It was created by the Heian period swordsmith Yasutsuna Ohara, and has been passed down to many owners.

Dojigiri Yasutsuna was used by Toyotomi Hideyoshi and the Matsudaira family. It is said that Hidetada Tokugawa, the second shogun, gave it to his daughter Katsuhime when he married Tadanao Matsudaira.

It is now housed in the Tokyo National Museum.

Juzumaru Tsuneji

This sword is also one of the Tenka Goken, and has more than just a weapon. The point is that it contains the word “prayer beads” that saves people from suffering in Buddhism. It is a sword that is very closely related to Buddhism.

This sword was brought to Kuon-ji Temple by Nichiren, the founder of the Nichiren sect, and has been associated with Buddhism for a long time. There is also an anecdote that when Nichiren used it as a cane while climbing Mt. Minobu, he miraculously did not fall.

Mikazuki Munechika

Mikazuki Munechika is one of the most famous Japanese swords. A famous sword made by Munechika Sanjo, a swordsmith in the Heian period. The blade pattern looks like a crescent moon floating between clouds, hence the name.

The sword has been loved by the Ashikaga family in the Muromachi period, the Toyotomi family in the Azuchi-Momoyama period, and the Tokugawa family in the Edo period.

Samurai Sword Parts

Each part of the sword used by the samurai has an important role to play. They are summarized below, so please check them out.

Tsuba

The tsuba is located between the “handle” and the “blade”. It also has the role of protecting the hand and adjusting the center of gravity of the sword.

Menuki The menuki

is located in the center of the handle, and is the metal fitting attached to the front and back. Originally, this was attached as a decoration to the part called “Megugi” that holds the blade from the handle through holes in the front and back of the handle. Later, the menuki was often worn as a decoration.

Kogai Kogai

is a tool used to fix men’s appearance such as hair and topknot. It is placed in the kogaihitsu on the front side of the scabbard and is always carried with you.

Kozuka

Kozuka is a small sword for crafting. It is used for cutting wood and as a pocket knife in case of emergency. It is stored in the part called “half-moon shaped chest” inside the scabbard and carried around.

Mikoromono

Sanshomono refers to swords in which the menuki, kougai and kozuka are all made by the same craftsman. rarity value increases.

Fuchigashira

is a metal fitting attached to the tip of the handle to reinforce the handle.

Habaki

is a metal fitting that is fitted to the part where the blade and the guard meet. It is also called a “loincloth gold”.

Nomikomui

is the part on the opposite side of the blade of the Japanese sword that is held by the hand. It is generally made of wood, covered with shark skin, and wrapped with a thin string or skin.

Saya

A sheath is like a cover that holds and protects the blade of the blade. It is dangerous to leave the blade of a Japanese sword bare, so always store it in its scabbard.

Sageo

The cord attached to the scabbard of a Japanese sword is called sageo. There are various uses such as fixing the scabbard or using it as a sash in battle.

Making a Samurai Sword

There are many steps involved in making a samurai sword. The specific steps are as follows.

• water reduction

• small split

• folding and forging

• unglazed (unglazed)

• making by fire

• quenching

• blacksmithing

• inscription

the work of dividing the steel used according to the carbon content of the Japanese sword. After repeated forging to improve the precision of the selected steel, we proceed to the Sunobeya Hizukuri process, which creates the shape of the sword. After quenching to determine the blade pattern and warp, which are the real marks, and blacksmithing to adjust the shape as a sword, the work of putting your name on is completed.

Making a sword is not easy. This is because if you do not achieve the desired finish in each process, you will have to redo it many times. A sword that is made with such a soul is active as a famous sword.

Samurai sword price

Samurai swords are still used today, but they are rare items, so even if you buy them, they are expensive. The price varies depending on the rank of the Japanese sword. The market prices of major Japanese swords are introduced below, so please check them out.

Preserved swords

Preserved swords are swords from the Northern and Southern Courts period and the Edo period, and those with historical signatures. Even if there is no inscription, it may be applicable if the age, place of manufacture, and lineage of swordsmiths are clarified.

The general market price is about 100,000 to 1,000,000 yen.

Special Preservation Swords

Special preservation swords refer to swords that are in particularly good condition and have an excellent appearance among preserved swords. If the appearance is not good or if the scratches are conspicuous, it does not correspond to the special preservation sword.

The general market price is around 300,000 to 3,000,000 yen.

Important swords

Among the specially preserved swords, the important swords are those that were made from the Heian period to the Edo period and are superior. It is in good condition and has a quality equivalent to that of a nationally recognized important art object.

The general market price is around 1,000,000 to 5,000,000 yen.

Swords of Special Importance

Swords of special importance are those that are of good quality and condition, and are well preserved among important swords. Furthermore, it refers to works of the same level as the highest rank of important works of art recognized by the nation.

The general market price is 5,000,000 to 10,000,000 yen or more.

How to get a samurai sword

If you are interested in a samurai sword, many people would like to have one. However, there are times when you don’t know where you can get it because it’s a rare item.

There are several ways to obtain a samurai sword.

• Buy at a specialized sword shop

• Use mail order

So if you are interested, check them out. Staff who are familiar with swords are also stationed, so if you have any concerns, you can immediately check them. However, if you don’t have a sword shop near you, there are shops that sell mail order, so it would be a good idea to inquire.

Summary

This time, we introduced the types and history of swords, the names of their parts, and how to obtain them. Japanese swords are attracting attention from all over the world. It is very popular with foreigners because it is full of history and has rarity value.

Each part of the sword and the process of making it are profound. There is no doubt that the more you learn about the thoughts and history put into each piece, the more you will enjoy it. Let’s compare various things and find your favorite sword!