Changes

It is not possible to talk about Samurai without talking about their swords. During the ages they radically changed in form and, at the end, even in meaning.  

It is not possible to talk about Samurai without talking about their swords. During the ages they radically changed in form and, at the end, even in meaning.  

Japan early history is highly affected by the continent and its more ancient cultures. The culture of the Yayoi period was surely strongly subject to the influence of Korea and thru this peninsula the most important innovations arrived in Japan. Rice cultivation and iron tools and related technology were introduced at the end of the Jomon era.  Iron tools and weapons helped the Japanese to enhance their living. In the first stage of its development Japan imported iron tools and weaponry from the continent and continental craftmen immigrated in Japan. Soon after the Japanese becomes to forge and manufacture their own blades.  Very ancient sources as the Kojiki and the Nihon Shoki already  quotes swords as highly valuable weapons and objects of worship. This is confirmed by the number of swords found in Kofun and the high number of swords which belongs to Shrines.  Its debated how many activities were visualized with the ancient polishing methods but is undeniable that, in early times, the beauty of the Japanese sword was only  caused by the pursuit of its practical functions as a weapon. Already in the VI century b.C. we have the insurgence of a Japanese taste in fittings but the design of the blades was still strongly influenced by the continent, being the fighting tactics equally imported from China and mainly based on masses of footsoldiers with spears and shields.  There is an old saying regarding Japanese swords: Orenai, magarani, yoku kireru (shouldn't break, shouldn't bend and cuts well). These are the most important qualities a sword must have and Japanese swordmakers (Tosho) made great efforts in searching for improvement of the Chinese specimens. When these tactics changed due to the fight against Emishi for domain of the Kanto plain, the advantages of a curved sword for horseback fighting begun evident to the japaneses, that already showed their attitude to practicality and skillfullness in adopting foreign items adapting and upgrading them to their needs. As long as the original purpose of the sword is of a practical nature, it is natural that changes of fighting style and cutting targets have influenced the sword, especially in the shape. For this reason we can judge the approximate age of the sword from the Sugata (Shape).as well as Jihada and Hamon, that are strictly related to functionality.

Japan early history is highly affected by the continent and its more ancient cultures. The culture of the Yayoi period was surely strongly subject to the influence of Korea and thru this peninsula the most important innovations arrived in Japan. Rice cultivation and iron tools and related technology were introduced at the end of the Jomon era.  Iron tools and weapons helped the Japanese to enhance their living. In the first stage of its development Japan imported iron tools and weaponry from the continent and continental craftmen immigrated in Japan. Soon after the Japanese begun to forge and manufacture their own blades.  Very ancient sources as the '''Kojiki''' and the '''Nihon Shoki''' already  quotes swords as highly valuable weapons and objects of worship. This is confirmed by the number of swords found in '''Kofun''' and the high number of swords which belongs to Shrines.  Its debated how many activities were visualized with the ancient polishing methods but is undeniable that, in early times, the beauty of the Japanese sword was only  caused by the pursuit of its practical functions as a weapon. Already in the VI century b.C. we have the insurgence of a Japanese taste in fittings but the design of the blades was still strongly influenced by the continent, being the fighting tactics equally imported from China and mainly based on masses of footsoldiers with spears and shields.  There is an old saying regarding Japanese swords: Orenai, Magarani, Yoku Kireru (shouldn't break, shouldn't bend and cuts well). These are the most important qualities a sword must have and Japanese swordmakers (Tosho) made great efforts in searching for improvement of the Chinese specimens. When these tactics changed due to the fight against '''Emishi''' for domain of the '''Kanto''' plain, the advantages of a curved sword for horseback fighting begun evident to the japaneses, that already showed their attitude to practicality and skillfullness in adopting foreign items adapting and upgrading them to their needs. As long as the original purpose of the sword is of a practical nature, it is natural that changes of fighting style and cutting targets have influenced the sword, especially in the shape. For this reason we can judge the approximate age of the sword  

from the '''Sugata''' (Shape) as well as '''Jihada''' and '''Hamon''', that are strictly related to functionality.

Is generally agreed that the fully developed Japanese sword appearance was around the 940 a.C., period in which we find the most ancient extant swords with all the characteristics needed in the "ideal" japanese sword : single edge differentially hardened with strong curvature. Some of these ancient blades already shows another peculiarity of the japanese sword : a softer steel inner core wrapped by harder steel. It's debated if all such ancient blades are made the same way, but at least some shows that this technology was already used in this period. As this “basic” shape has changed in its key features many times and quiet deeply during the centuries, we need to know the periods in which the history of the japanese sword is divided in.

Is generally agreed that the fully developed Japanese sword appearance was around the 940 a.C., period in which we find the most ancient extant swords with all the characteristics needed in the "ideal" japanese sword : single edge differentially hardened with strong curvature. Some of these ancient blades already shows another peculiarity of the japanese sword : a softer steel inner core wrapped by harder steel. It's debated if all such ancient blades are made the same way, but at least some shows that this technology was already used in this period. As this “basic” shape has changed in its key features many times and quiet deeply during the centuries, we need to know the periods in which the history of the japanese sword is divided in.

Another thing we have to consider when fixing a date for a japanese sword is the Eto.

Another thing we have to consider when fixing a date for a japanese sword is the Eto.

Eto is originally a Chinese calender invented in the ancient period. It consists of ten ordinal signs and twelve zodiacal symbols and the combination of both characters makes a cycle of sixty years, the '''Sexagenary cycle'''. In Japan the Eto was used not only to count time by years but also to show time by hours (In this case one day is divided into twelve fractions.) and direction. The Eto can often be seen on the Nakago of the Japanese sword.

'''Eto''' is originally a Chinese calender invented in the ancient period. It consists of ten ordinal signs and twelve zodiacal symbols and the combination of both characters makes a cycle of sixty years, the '''Sexagenary cycle'''. In Japan the Eto was used not only to count time by years but also to show time by hours (In this case one day is divided into twelve fractions.) and direction. Dates based on Eto can often be seen on the '''Nakago''' of the Japanese sword.

A third, very important thing to know about the japanese sword is the way  

A third, very important thing to know about the japanese sword is the way  

the schools were placed along the eight main roads of ancient japan.

the schools were placed along the eight main roads of ancient japan.

In Japan there was a division of the local administration called Go Kinai Shichi Do. Go Ki consists of the capital Kyo (Yamashiro) and four neighbouring provinces. Shichi Do means the provinces along the seven main roads spreading throughout the country.

In Japan there was a division of the local administration called '''Go Kinai''' Shichi Do. Go Ki consists of the capital Kyo (Yamashiro) and four neighbouring provinces. Shichi Do means the provinces along the seven main roads spreading throughout the country.

There are eight provinces in the Sanyo Do, eight provinces in the San-in Do, six provinces in the Nankai Do, fifteen provinces in the Tokai Do, thirteen provinces in the Tosan Do, seven provinces in the Hokuriku Do and nine provinces with two islands in the Saikai Do.

There are eight provinces in the Sanyo Do, eight provinces in the San-in Do, six provinces in the Nankai Do, fifteen provinces in the Tokai Do, thirteen provinces in the Tosan Do, seven provinces in the Hokuriku Do and nine provinces with two islands in the Saikai Do.

In Kantei (Attribution), it is very important to know the Go Ki Shichi Do as the smiths of the same region are to show the regional influence in their work. Therefore the old administrative division is still used in studying the Japanese sword.  

In Kantei (Attribution), it is very important to know the Go Kinai Shichi Do as the smiths of the same region are to show the regional influence in their work. Therefore the old administrative division is still used in studying the Japanese sword.  

*Kinai: Yamashiro (Today's Kyoto prefecture), Yamato (Nara), Settsu (Osaka and Hyogo), Kawachi (Osaka), Izumi (Osaka).Sanyo Do: Harima (Hyogo), Bizen (Okayama), Mimasaka (Okayama), Bitchu (Okayama), Bingo (Hiroshima), Aki (Hiroshima), Su-oh (Yamaguchi), Nagato (Yamaguchi).

*Kinai: Yamashiro (Today's Kyoto prefecture), Yamato (Nara), Settsu (Osaka and Hyogo), Kawachi (Osaka), Izumi (Osaka).Sanyo Do: Harima (Hyogo), Bizen (Okayama), Mimasaka (Okayama), Bitchu (Okayama), Bingo (Hiroshima), Aki (Hiroshima), Su-oh (Yamaguchi), Nagato (Yamaguchi).

finally replaced the Tachi as main sword of the Samurai.  

finally replaced the Tachi as main sword of the Samurai.  

The difference between a Tachi and a Katana is, to make an incredibly difficult

The difference between a Tachi and a Katana is, to make an incredibly difficult

thing the easiest possible, the position of the Mei (signature). The signature

thing the easiest possible, the position of the '''Mei''' (signature). The signature

must be on the part of the blade that faces outside. So as Tachi is worn

must be on the part of the blade that faces outside. So as Tachi is worn

edge-down and Katana is worn edge-up, the signatures are placed in opposite

edge-down and Katana is worn edge-up, the signatures are placed in opposite

sudden revolution. So we have a lot of blades that are "in between"

sudden revolution. So we have a lot of blades that are "in between"

that can't be easily put in a specific category.

that can't be easily put in a specific category.

The wearing of DaiSho (Daito/Shoto,long/short sword, meaning Katana and Wakizashi) begun

The wearing of '''DaiSho''' (Daito/Shoto,long/short sword, meaning '''Katana''' and Wakizashi) begun

in this period. Basically a backup blade was always carried by Samurai, but  

in this period. Basically a backup blade was always carried by Samurai, but  

the fashion of having a matched pair of mountings for main and backup sword

the fashion of having a matched pair of mountings for main and backup sword

said, is the result of an evolution. To explain the (slow) switching from the

said, is the result of an evolution. To explain the (slow) switching from the

ancient fashion to the new one we've to deal with the meaning of the term

ancient fashion to the new one we've to deal with the meaning of the term

"Wakizashi". It's made by two words "Waki" (side, secondary) and "Zashi"  

'''Wakizashi'''. It's made by two words "Waki" (side, secondary) and "Zashi"  

(from Sasu, "to insert").  

(from Sasu, "to insert").  

In the sword context it means "to insert between the Obi", i.e. a sword  

In the sword context it means "to insert between the Obi", i.e. a sword  

to be worn inserted between the Obi. Tachi requires another verb, "Haku",  

to be worn inserted between the Obi. '''Tachi''' requires another verb, "Haku",  

to wear "hanging" from the waist. Backup swords were carried by Samurai from

to wear "hanging" from the waist. Backup swords were carried by Samurai from

the very beginning of their history, and they were usually inserted  

the very beginning of their history, and they were usually inserted  

"between the Obi". So Wakizashi in ancient times referred to any sword that

"between the Obi". So Wakizashi in ancient times referred to any sword that

was secondary to the Tachi and worn inserted in the Obi with no reference  

was secondary to the Tachi and worn inserted in the Obi with no reference  

to its lenght. In Koto times back-up blades spread from Yoroi-Doshi (armor

to its lenght. In Koto times back-up blades spread from '''Yoroi-Doshi''' (armor

piercing daggers), Chiisagatana (shorther then Katana) and Koshigatana, all

piercing daggers), '''Chiisagatana''' (shorther then Katana) and '''Koshigatana''', all

always worn inserted in the Obi but the Koshigatana, that a few times was  

always worn inserted in the Obi but the Koshigatana, that a few times was  

worn hanging from Obi. The length, in these times, wasn't an issue to qualify

worn hanging from Obi. The length, in these times, wasn't an issue to qualify

a blade as "Wakizashi" and the term "Daisho" in the meaning of "Daito and Shoto"

a blade as "Wakizashi" and the term "Daisho" in the meaning of "Daito and Shoto"

(pair of long and short swords) wasn't in use yet.

(pair of long and short swords) wasn't in use yet.

There is a document quoting that Oda Nobunaga wore (with the kanji used for  

There is a document quoting that '''Oda Nobunaga wore''' (with the kanji used for  

the meaning "inserted between obi") a set of DaiSho. So is safe to say that

the meaning "inserted between obi") a set of DaiSho. So is safe to say that

was between Tenbun and Eiroku (1532 - 1569) that this fashion

was between Tenbun and Eiroku (1532 - 1569) that this fashion

was adopted by Samurai, most likely having already been adopted by lower  

was adopted by Samurai, most likely having already been adopted by lower  

ranks troops sometime earlier. During the Momoyama were fixed the first  

ranks troops sometime earlier. During the '''Momoyama''' were fixed the first  

official criteria to differentiate types of swords according to their

official criteria to differentiate types of swords according to their

lenght creating the categories we find later on, Katana, Wakizashi, Tanto and

lenght creating the categories we find later on, '''Katana''', '''Wakizashi''', '''Tanto''' and

imposing who were allowed to wear what type of sword, but these regulamentations

imposing who were allowed to wear what type of sword, but these regulamentations

weren't really fully applied. The strict regulamentation was, anyway,  

weren't really fully applied. The strict regulamentation was, anyway,  

that is more complex, impling the way in which the blade was originally  

that is more complex, impling the way in which the blade was originally  

intended to be worn (Tachi or Katana) and its purpose.  

intended to be worn (Tachi or Katana) and its purpose.  

An academically called Sunnobi-Tanto, because it is always a little longer  

An academically called '''Sunnobi-Tanto''', because it is always a little longer  

then one Shaku (30.3 cm) is legally speaking a Wakizashi.   

then one Shaku (30.3 cm) is legally speaking a Wakizashi.   

      

      

The following layout shows the main (NOT all) "Sugata" (shape) changes of the japanese sword with period and lenght (in shaku, 1 shaku = 30.3022 cm or 11.93 inches) from right to left, first line first. Obviously an infinite number of possible mix are found, but these are

The following layout shows the main (NOT all) '''Sugata''' (shape) changes of the japanese sword with period and lenght (in shaku, 1 shaku = 30.3022 cm or 11.93 inches) from right to left, first line first. Obviously an infinite number of possible mix are found, but these are

the most common ones.   

the most common ones.   

When you're reading about a Samurai fighting in the late Kamakura, most likely his sword had the shape you'll find hereunder. Thanks to Valdek Laur for it.

When you're reading about a Samurai fighting in the late Kamakura, most likely his sword had the shape you'll find hereunder. Thanks to Valdek Laur for it.