The Japanese sword (にほんとう, Nihontou) was improved from the Tang sword of the Tang Dynasty. It is also called the sword (かたな, Katana) in Japan.
The full name is the Planar Fragmented Complex Dark Light Pattern Blade, one of the three most famous blades in the world.
According to the shape and size, they are divided into tachi, tachi (sword), wakizashi (throat finger), short sword, etc.
In a broad sense, it also includes long scrolls, razors, swords, guns, etc.
Since ancient times, they have been used as weapons and are known for their beautiful shapes. Many famous swords have been collected as art works and contain the symbolic meaning of the soul of the samurai.
The famous Taidian Taidian knife, the blade length is 66.10CM.
It was made by the swordsman Miike Norita Mitsuyo in the late Heian period. It was originally owned by the Muromachi shogun family (Ashikaga clan) and fell into the hands of Hideyoshi during the Momoyama period. Hideyoshi later gave it to Maeda Toshiie.
The inscription on the sword is "Mitsuike Mitsuyo";
The specific situation of Sumaru Tsuneji is unknown, but it is said to be owned by Nichiren Shonin;
The details of Doji Kiri Yasutsuna The situation is unknown, and it is said to be owned by Minamoto Yorimitsu;
The specific situation of Mikazuki Munechika is unknown, and it was made by Yamashiro Kuni swordsman Sanjo Munechika;
The specific situation of Onimaru Kunizuna is unknown, and it is said to be Kamakura Hojo The sword passed down from family to family was scattered among the world with the complete destruction of the Hojo clan (the Hojo clan mentioned here has nothing to do with the Odawara Hojo clan in the Warring States Period. The latter was Ise Shinkuro Nagamori's surname Hojo and changed his name to Hojo. A family formed after Sounun).
Note, the above are collectively referred to as the "Five Swords of the World", which means there are discrepancies, and the actual details and existing locations are all there.
The Kikuichimonji no Sotachi sword has a blade length of 78.48CM.
It is a representative work of the Ichimonji school created by Bizen Kokuto Kōnorimune during the Go-Tobain period.
Legend has it that it was later owned by the Shinsengumi swordsman Okita Souji.
The inscription on the sword is "Kikuichi Monji no Sect"; (Note, the legend of Okita Souji using the Kikuichi Monji is only seen in novels, and has never been actually held. The reason is that the Kikuichi Monji was already a national treasure in the Bakumatsu era. , it is impossible for Soji Okita to obtain this sword. In addition, most of the royal weapons are for decoration and used to show off. The Kikuichiji is a thin-edged sword and is not suitable for actual combat.
The sword used by Okita Souji is Kazu Kiyomitsu
)
Nagaso Yatora Wakizashi, with a blade length of 45.75CM.
It was made by Kotetsu, the swordsman of Echizen State, in the third year of Kanbun.
This is the favorite sword of Shinsengumi swordsman Isamu Kondo.
The inscription on the sword is "Nagaso Nihu penetrates into Daoxingri" (in the arcade game "Swallowing the World", in the burning of the new field, it seems that it can be beaten out of the barrel... ); (Note, hereby correcting the misinformation on the Internet: Isamu Kondo’s Kotetsu and this data are two different things. Isamu Kondo is a swordsman, and it is basically considered a fake. However, the name “Toratsu” is even more famous because of Isamu Kondo. Therefore, although Kondo Isamu's fake Kotetsu is famous only for the person who uses it, it definitely deserves the word "famous sword"
)
Izumi Mamoru. It is also a fixed knife with a blade length of 70.6CM.
This famous swordsman's masterpiece is owned by Shinsengumi swordsman Hijikata Toshizo.
The inscription on the sword is "Izumi Shou Fujiwara Kanesada", and there is also an inscription on the handle: "Those who face the battle are all at the front";
Aoimon Echizen Yasatsuki The side is different and the blade length is 35.3CM.
It was made by the famous swordsman Echizen Yasutsugi in the Edo period and is enshrined in Owari Atsuta Shrine as a sacred sword.
The two sides of the knife are cast with plum patterns and bamboo patterns respectively.
The name Aoimon Echizen Yasatsugu is said to be because Ieyasu gave the Tokugawa family the name Aoimon, so the name was changed.
The sword was completed around the eleventh year of Qingchang.
The inscription on the sword is "Echizen Yasatsugu with Aoi pattern";
Hizen Kunizadayoshi sword, the blade length is 67.3CM.
It was made by Edo swordsman Hizen Tadayoshi and later owned by Okada Izo.
The inscription on the sword is "Hizen Kuni Tadayoshi";
An authentic sword with a blade length of 64.4CM.
Shoshu's famous sword maker Masamune was made in the late Kamakura period. It was owned by Ishida Mitsunari during the Warring States Period. After the war of Sekigahara, it was presented to Tokugawa Ieyasu, but later it fell into the hands of Sephiroth for unknown reasons (laughs).
The full name of the sword is Mingwu Kanshi Masamune.
No sword inscription; (Note, the sword also called Masamune has more than one swing, Sephiroth's fictional Masamune is considered Nodachi)
Nagafune Tachi, 73.63CM.
Also known as the Great Prajna Nagamitsu, the work of the famous swordsman Nagamitsu was worth six hundred kan in the Muromachi period.
Because the Mahaprajna Sutra has exactly six hundred volumes, it is named Mahaprajna Changguang.
Originally owned by the late Muromachi shogun Ashikaga Yoshiteru, it later passed through the hands of Miyoshi Nagakei and Oda Nobunaga to Tokugawa Ieyasu.
After the Nagashino War, Ieyasu gave it to Nobumasa Okudaira.
The inscription on the sword is "Long Ship".
The Kagehide sword is the sword that Date Masamune likes to use.
The blade of the sword is red, and the shadow it casts in the sunlight is very slender, so it is called Shadow Show.
Legend has it that during the Imjin War in Korea, Date Masamune used this sword to cut off the opposing generals and even the saddles of their horses, so it was also called "Saddle-cutting".
Sword inscription: Shadow Show
Demonic sword Muramasa sword, blade length 73.32CM.
This sword was made by Shishu Muramasa in the late Muromachi period, and his cutting ability is outstanding.
It was regarded as a symbol of "unlucky" by the Tokugawa family and denounced as the "demon sword Muramasa". Therefore, it was extremely popular among the Choshu rebel faction at the end of the Tokugawa period.
The inscription on the sword is "Muramasa";
Double Snow Swords
Source: Nanzong Satomi Eight Inuden Holder: Inukawa Shosuke Yoshihito (Pearl of "righteousness") Type: Long sword, short sword Status: One of Japan's thirty-six famous swords. The double sword of Yuki is composed of the long sword "fallen leaf" and the short sword "small sword". Both swords have a unique golden color. Snow pattern.
Among them, the long knife "falling leaves" is the most magical.
It is said that as long as the blade of the knife sees blood, fallen leaves will fly all over the sky even if it is not autumn, so this knife is called "fallen leaves".
Demon Sword Murasame
Source: Minami Sosatomi's Eight Dogs Holder: Inuzuka Shinano Tsutaka (the "Pearl of Filial Piety") Type: Sword Status: Japan Thirty-Six Murasame, one of the famous swords, is also known as Murasame Maru. According to legend, when this sword is pulled out to kill, dew will condense on the blade with murderous intent.
After beheading someone, water will flow from the blade to clean the blood.
This scene is like Murasame cleaning leaves, so this knife is called "Murasame".
Because the sword is so murderous, it is also called the "Demon Sword Murasame".
In the story, this famous sword is said to be the symbol of the rulers of Kanto.
Nobuno's father kept this sword as a retainer of the Ashikaga family. His mission was to wait until the day when the Ashikaga family made a comeback and return Murasame to the Ashikaga shogun.
However, on the way to Nobunano's meeting with the general, Murasame was replaced by Tsunazaki Zuomojiro, which led to a series of plots such as the Battle of Ryuho Pavilion and the Three Dogs.
The way to verify the authenticity of Murasame is to draw the sword out of its sheath and swing it in the air.
If water droplets seep out when swinging the knife, it is a real knife.
Regarding the final outcome of this sword, there are rumors that Nobuno accidentally dropped Murasame into the sea, and his whereabouts are unknown since then, leaving the world with great regret.
Bizen Changguang Hikaru (referred to as "Nagako") Holder: Sasaki Kojiro Type: Taishou "Nagako" is also known as "Monogami". It is said that the blade is more than three feet long (some say it is Three feet and two inches (about 98 centimeters), the handle is extremely long and was forged by the famous swordsmith Bizen Nagasaki.
Because the length is too long, it can only be held behind the back. Such a sword-holding posture is really rare.
History of the Samurai Sword
As early as the Tang Dynasty in China, China's smelting and forging technology and economy had achieved unprecedented development. The introduction of the expensive Tang sword had already acquired the smelting skills of the Han sword. Japan, but when the Japanese Emperor saw the superior performance and exquisite workmanship of the Tang sword, he also marveled and said: Only the Central Plains can forge such exquisite swords.
Japan immediately learned the forging method of the Tang sword and improved it, becoming one of the three most famous swords in the world today.
After the Tang Dynasty, China's Tang Dao forging skills were gradually lost (today, through the efforts of Chinese swordsmiths and swordsmen of all generations, Tang Dao with excellent performance has been restored).
With its excellent performance, Japanese swords occupy a place among the cold weapons of the world and enjoy a good reputation and reputation.
The form of Japanese swords has undergone great changes since the late Heian period, through the Kamakura, Northern and Southern Dynasties, Muromachi, Azuchi-Momoyama, early Edo periods, the middle period, and the late Tokugawa period.
Mainly manifested as the change from a straight sword to a scimitar. The straight sword is suitable for stabbing, and the scimitar is suitable for slashing. The reason for this change is mainly caused by the changes in fighting styles. From the late Heian period In the beginning, knives were constantly improved to be suitable for immediate combat.
In the production of Japanese swords, from the late Heian period to the Kamakura period, there were five major centers in Yamato, Bizen, Yamashiro, Sagami and Mino, and famous craftsmen emerged from various places.
Ancient times
Swords before the end of the Heian period are classified as ancient swords. The shape of the sword is different from the common Japanese swords now, either with a straight blade or with double edges.
Ancient knives are extremely rare and are important archaeological materials.
Iron swords have already appeared in Japan during the Kofun period.
For example, iron swords were unearthed from the Inariyama Tumulus and Shima Kincho-inscribed iron swords in Saitama Prefecture.
Iron swords were unearthed from the orogenic tumuli in Ne Prefecture.
The "Golden Inscription Iron Sword" unearthed from the Inariyama Tumulus was made in AD 471 to commemorate his achievements in serving Emperor Yuryu. There are 115 Chinese characters engraved on the sword.
Most of the swords of this era have become rusty.
Swords after the 7th to 8th centuries are relatively well preserved. The famous ones include the Bingzi Pepper Forest Sword and the Seven-Star Sword from Shitennoji Temple, the gold and silver denzo Tang Changdao from Shosoin Temple, etc. According to research, these swords are Most of them are imported from China and North Korea.
In this era, the swords of Wu (the general name for southeastern China) were considered to be the best, and Emperor Suiko once wrote a poem to praise them.
At the same time, the large influx of foreign forging technology has caused Japan's forging level to rise significantly.
Shosoin houses a batch of ancient swords called "Tang-style broadswords" and Japanese imitation swords called "Tang-style broadswords."
The number of swords from the early Heian period that remain today is quite rare.
Academic questions about the changes in Japanese sword styles and when and how Japan created the unique scimitar have not yet been fully elucidated.
It is generally believed that after the Taihei Rebellion and the Tenkei Rebellion in the middle of the Heian period (around the 10th century), the straight sword gradually transformed into a curved sword.
At the same time, the production process also changed from flat making to diamond-shaped pick-making knives.
Improvements in manufacturing techniques have made Japanese knives stronger and sharper.
The typical styles of this transitional period are the "hair-plucked broadsword" with a blade and handle made of a single piece of iron, and the "Kokarasuma" with a two-edge structure and a curved back. The most famous sword is the one that is said to have been used by Fujiwara Hidego in the Ise Jingu Shrine.
The Tachi Era
In the late Heian period, especially during the "Battle of the First Nine Years" and the "Battle of the Last Three Years" when samurai forces were most active, the power of the samurai family increased. , As a result, Japanese swords have developed greatly.
For example, Hoki and Bizen countries, which produced high-quality iron ore, as well as Yamashiro and Yamato countries as political and cultural centers, saw the emergence of different schools of knife craftsmanship. At this time, Japanese swords were mainly used It is used for immediate decisive battles, so it is mostly a sword.
The representative works of this period include the "Douji Kiri" (made by Yasuzuna of the Hoki Kingdom, a national treasure of Japan) where Yorimitsu Minamoto killed the "Shuten Boy" in Oeyama, and the legend of letting a fox help build it. The famous "Koho Maru" (the Sanjo clan system of Yamashiro Country, destroyed during World War II).
In addition to Yasutsuna, Sanjo Konohara Munechika and Kubitizen Yunari of Yamashiro (today's Kyoto) are considered to be the oldest extant swordsmen whose works have the name of the maker engraved on them.
The characteristics of the tachi of the Heian period are: made with a pickaxe, anton (いおりむね, Iorimune), small cut first, reversed in the back, narrow in front and wide in back, and the shape of the knife is beautiful.
The Japanese swords in the early Kamakura period were similar to those in the late Heian period. The establishment of the samurai political system of the Kamakura shogunate made the sword world very active.
Emperor Go-Toba even set up Goban Blacksmithing, and Yueyue summoned swordsmen to forge swords, actively encouraging sword-making.
In the middle of the Kamakura period, due to the emphasis on usability, the blade width was wide and the overall width changed little.
The blade is the first to cut a pig's head, and the quality is really strong.
At this time, the production of daggers began to flourish.
At the end of the Kamakura period, the two invasions of the Yuan army and the social unrest caused by the collapse of the original political system made the knife-making industry prosperous.
The Japanese swords of this period were more bold and bold than those of the mid-Kamakura period.
Inheriting and carrying forward the characteristics of wide blade width and small change in the width of the blade body, the cutting edge is also longer.
Short swords, swords, and tachi all have the same characteristics of being longer than other periods.
During the Northern and Southern Dynasties, a large number of large swords called Odachi and Nodachi appeared in large numbers that were different from the past.
After Muromachi
After the middle of the Muromachi period, Japanese swords changed from the tachi worn with the blade downward to the katana worn with the blade upward
Due to the transition to peacetime, the domestic demand for swords in Japan decreased, and Japanese swords began to be mass-produced as trade goods, so the quality of Japanese swords began to decline.
The war caused by the Onin Rebellion caused the demand for swords to expand again. In order to meet the demand, a large number of shoddy products appeared, which made the quality of Japanese swords even worse.
In the Edo period, the forging industry flourished in Edo (today's Tokyo) and Osaka (today's Osaka), and famous swordsmen emerged in various places.
As the peaceful and prosperous age continued, Japanese swords began to blindly pursue gorgeous blades and gradually separated from the essence of practicality.
In addition, in this era, knife decorations such as tangs, small handles, muguans, and hairpins began to develop.
After the turmoil at the end of the Tokugawa period, the Restoration School, centered on Masahide Sukoko and others, advocated the ancient sword forging method, and once again promoted the practical Japanese sword making method.
The swords from then on were called new swords.
Just as sword-making began to become more popular again, the Meiji Restoration began. In 1873, fighting was banned. In 1876, the sword banning order was issued prohibiting the police and people other than soldiers from carrying swords. Japanese swords declined rapidly.
In modern times, as a traditional craft, ancient knife-making methods are still popular in various places.