The Katana
By Brett Denison, Mizukan Dojo
The
records of Ancient Matters (Kojiki) of old Japan chronicle the travels and adventures
of the mythical Prince Yamato, founder of the Yamato clan that unified the Japanese
Isles. The legendary first emperor, Jimmu Tenno began a campaign that started
on the island of Kyushu in the 3rd or 4th century A.D. His descendants founded
a clan that ruled the Japanese Isles for a hundred years.
In the mythology of the Japanese, Prince Yamato is supposed to have slain an eight-headed dragon after first leading the monster to drink eight buckets of strong wine. When the legendary warrior saw that the monster had become drunk, he plunged a sword into it, splashing the fields about him with blood. Then he waited for the beast's life to drain away and cut the tail off. The Prince found that the dragon was more than just a beast, for inside the tail there lay a sword of magical properties, enabling the owner to slay anyone or any creature he wished. This sword is enshrined in Japanese religion as one of three sacred symbols, and means righteousness.
Tombs dating from the fifth century have been opened, and next to the skeletons of ancient chieftains have been found blades of the Chinese type. They were straight, double-edged, and had the horned pommel. Fragments of much older blades have been traced to the Asian continent, and it is known that many of these old swords had been exported to Japan from Korea. While the swords found in the tombs date from the fifth century and before, they were of inferior temper and craftsmanship. Expensive swords of the Yayoi period, A.D. 250 have been unearthed, and it is known that these blades were worn by high officials, or famed warriors. These swords were generally of Chinese pattern and manufacture. The continental sword was used chiefly for stabbing purposes, due to its shape. The swordsman of the period in Japan needed a curved blade, with tremendous cutting power near the point to slice through the armor of the times. The Soga and Mononobe, the two most powerful clans of the period, A D. 400, were constantly fighting each other to gain control of the imperial clan, the Imibe. Constant fighting in Japan and across the seas toward Korea found the Japanese swordsmith hard at work, designing a new type of weapon These early smiths began a process that was to last until the Meiji Restoration in 1868.
The two most famous swordsmiths of Japan, Masamune and Yoshimitsu, worked during the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries. The blades of these swordsmiths are now regarded as national treasures in Japan, and are preserved in the Tokyo Museum. They remain as bright as the day they were first worn in battle.
During the periods of the great wars, known as the Hogen era, the rival clan of the Taira overthrew the Fujiwara clan, which was led by Heike-No-Kiyomori, a famous Samurai. The Minamoto battled sharply and endlessly with the clan of Kiyomori, and finally succeeded in overthrowing it after the leader of the Taira died in 1181. With the constant fighting among themselves, and the country laid waste by bloodshed and fire, it was only natural that most young men of the period should take to arms and side with either the Minamoto or Taira. The art of making fine blades flourished during this period.
Generally fighting swords of the Hogen wars did not exceed four feet in length, However, there exist in private collections swords of this era which are six feet long. Most warriors used the long bow and left the killing of the wounded to foot soldiers. The mounted warriors of great strength and stature used the great swords when closing with their enemies. These huge blades, known as Dai-Katana, were carried unslung and naked in the hands of these giants. By comparison, horses looked puny when measured against the sight of their rider, dressed in bright armor. After the overthrow of the Fujiwara the country came under the rule of the military. With this, the code of Bushido took precedence over all other classes, and the wearing of two swords by the Samurai as a mark of rank became common.
A short sword, known as a Wakizashi, and a longer sword, perhaps three to four feet long, were always worn together and the pair were called Daisho, or long-short. The common Samurai used the Wakizashi for only two purposes. The first, to behead an enemy after first grabbing his hair or helmet and the second to commit ceremonial disembowelment.
The only known example of a Samurai using both swords together as in the European manner was the famous Miyamoto Musashi a master of his art. This man traveled the length and breadth of the Japanese Isles, either improving himself, or to be challenged by a rival. The Daito, a sword considered the favorite weapon of a Samurai almost never exceeded four feet in length, and enabled the swordsman to face his opponent squarely, under the rules of conduct outlined in the code of knighthood. The Samurai spent years mastering the art of fencing, and regarded his blade as his own soul. He would allow no one to touch it, unless he knew they had schooled themselves in the rigid rules of Bushido. The sword never left his side even while he slept, or while he made love. Even in the coolness of a bath, the sword still stood next to its owner, ready to be used in an instant.
Fine examples of famous blades are still revered as heirlooms by old families in Japan, and a family specializing in this field for hundreds of years authenticates many of these swords. There are ancient blades that have engraved on them beautiful figures of gods, dragons, and mystical incantations. This in no way increases their value. Sometimes, the engraving had been done to cover or eliminate old scars, or major defects. Swords of great historical importance almost never are engraved, and the majority of them bear no signature. Under the patronage of the Fujiwara and Taira clans the status of the swordsmith climbed. Blades that once were made for a purpose now became ornaments, especially under the Fujiwara. Owners now had their names engraved on the tang, testers stated that the blade had undergone rigid trials and had surpassed them. If the sword were to be dedicated to a certain shrine, the name of the shrine was placed in gold on the tang. Had the blade beheaded two men with one stroke? This fact was recorded on the tang, if it had done so. It is said of the famed swordsmith Masamune that to draw one of his blades clear of the scabbard (Saiya) was to invite immediate bloodshed, as his swords were supposed to have a life of their own.
There are paintings that show the foregoing blades being used. During the Mongolian invasion of the Japanese Isles in 1281, men of high and low status mobilized under the leadership of Hojo Tokimuna and fought the invaders during the summer months. Although the Mongols used the longbow extensively, they could not match the superior steel and rigid training of massed Samurai. The second invasion by Mongol forces also resulted in dismal failure. Struggling armoured Samurai are pictured cutting the throats of the invaders with the Wakizashi while other scenes show evidences of the longer sword. The shape of the blades underwent very little change in 1700 years. Some were made wider, some thicker, but the general configuration of the blade remained the same. The illustration shows blades of different periods with their various makers. Only an expert can tell the period or the maker of these blades. Generally, blades that are narrow are either of great age, having been polished many times, or were made for court functions. Blades that are wide and thick may be considered as fighting swords, to allow for the removal of scratches and marks made by striking hard objects such as helmets or bone.
While it may seem that the Samurai sword is hard, this fact holds true for just a part of it. If the blade is too hard, it will snap in combat; if too soft it will bend and not spring back. The blending of steels into a single piece has produced a blade of remarkable quality, not approached by any other culture, East or West.
Unfortunately many famous blades have been lost or damaged beyond repair by improper care. Many sit in the damp darkness of a basement, slowly rusting away. Others have been damaged by careless handling of new uninformed owners. The keen edge that once bit into an armoured assailant now may be dulled by being struck against a stubborn root. The bright grain of slowly polished steel might be flaking away as the blade sits in a forgotten corner. The edge line, called Nioi, where all the steels merge into savage toughness and exquisite temper may be dulled by the application of emery cloth, to remove the signs of sea spray.
The blade that hangs over an American fireplace today, may have saved the life of a dedicated Samurai or a sweating, lonely Ronin could have used it against a ravaging band of thieves five hundred years ago.
(Please, visit the website of Denison sensei on http://www.mizukan.org/)