1. Are Japanese Swords Weapon or Art?
The question of whether a Japanese sword is just a weapon or an art has long been debated.
Considered the soul of samurai, the Japanese sword was used as a weapon to protect life during the Sengoku period.
However, due to the beauty of its shape and the sophistication of its craftsmanship, it is now exhibited in museums and is highly appreciated by collectors around the world.
So is the essence of a Japanese sword as a weapon, or is its value as an art object the true essence?
In this article, we explore the history, technology, and cultural value of the Japanese sword and approach its essence.
2. History and evolution of the Japanese sword | Famous swords of the Sengoku period and artistry of the Edo period
Ancient and Heian periods: From straight swords to curved swords
The origin of Japanese swords dates back to the Nara and Heian periods.
At that time, swords were mainly straight swords (straight swords) influenced by China, but they evolved into curved swords for ease of use in actual battle.
Particularly in the Heian period, the samurai class gained power, and curved swords called tachi (long swords) were created.
These curved swords were suitable for fighting on horseback, and made it possible to cut enemies quickly.
Kamakura – Sengoku Period: Famous swords honed in actual battle
At the beginning of the Kamakura period, the fighting style of samurai was established, and the Japanese sword evolved.
Famous sword craftsmen such as Masamune and Raikunitoshi appeared during this period, and the technique of Japanese swords improved dramatically.
In the Sengoku period (period of warring states), warlords commissioned their swords to master craftsmen, and their value as a "symbol of samurai" increased.
It was during this period that Muramasa's sword was feared as a "ghost sword."
The Edo Period: More Beauty than Actual War
In the Edo period, the age of warring states ended and a period of peace continued.
Samurai had fewer opportunities to use swords on the battlefield, and they gradually transformed into ornaments and symbols of rank.
During this period, sword carvings and tsuba decorations developed, and their value as art objects increased.
A culture of appreciation for swords was also born, and samurai took pride in owning famous swords.
After the Meiji Period: The Decree to Abolish Swords and Their Revival as Art Objects
In the Meiji period, when the Western-style military became mainstream, Japanese swords ended their role as weapons.
The Decree to Abolish Swords in 1876 prohibited ordinary people from owning swords, and the demand for Japanese swords decreased dramatically.
However, in the Showa period, their value as works of art was revalued, and swordsmithing techniques were passed down.
3. What is the beauty of Japanese swords? Explains blade pattern, construction, and craftsmanship
The beauty of blade pattern
One of the characteristics of Japanese swords is the blade pattern engraved on the blade.
This wave-like pattern is created when the sword is forged, and each sword craftsman creates his own unique design.
For example, the irregular wave-like blade pattern known as the "irregular blade pattern" is a famous feature of the master craftsman Masamune.
The beauty of the blade pattern is truly the fruit of craftsmanship.
Folding Forging: Technique for Strength and Flexibility
Japanese swords are made using a unique process called folding forging.
This is a technique in which iron is repeatedly folded and forged to produce a strong yet flexible sword.
This forging creates a beautiful skin pattern on the blade, which is another element that enhances the artistry of Japanese swords.
The Art of Koshirae
Japanese aesthetics are reflected not only in the body of the sword, but also in the ornamentation of the scabbard, handle, and guard.
During the Edo period, swords were decorated with craftwork techniques such as makie (lacquer) and zogan (inlay), and had the true value of a “work of art ”.
The beauty of Japanese swords is evident not only in the body of the sword, but also in its exterior.
In particular, during the Edo period, there were fewer battles, and more emphasis was placed on formality and ornamentation rather than practicality.
As a result, the ornamentation of koshirae (koshirae) developed, and the artistic value of swords dramatically increased.
What is koshirae?
A set of equipment for storing and carrying a sword.
It includes saya, tsuka, tsuba, fuchikanana, and menuki.
4. Japan's unique decorative technology
① Saya: Japan's unique decorative technology
The scabbard was used to store swords, but it was often decorated beautifully as well as being practical.
In the Edo period, the scabbard itself came to be valued as a work of art, with the use of traditional Japanese craft techniques such as makie and raden.
▶ Craft techniques on the scabbard
・Makie: A technique in which gold or silver powder was sown on lacquer and patterns were drawn. This technique was especially developed during the Edo period.
・Raden (mother-of-pearl): A technique in which thin pieces of shell were pasted on lacquer to create a sparkling pattern.
・Gold leaf engraving: Gorgeous scabbards were also made, covered with gold leaf.
These decorations signified the status and rank of the owner, and daimyo (feudal lords) and noble samurai often had particularly gorgeous scabbards.
② Tsuka (handle) and Menuki (menuki): A blend of decoration and utility
The handle is the part where the sword is held, and this part was also beautifully decorated. In particular, the decorative metal fittings called Menuki (menuki) are one of the unique art elements of Japanese swords.
▶ Techniques on the handle
・Tsuchimaki (pattern wrapping): The handle is decorated with silk or leather wrapped around it to fit the hand.
・Samegawa (shark skin): The handle is made of stingray skin to provide both a luxurious feel and grip.
・Menuki (decorative metal fittings made of gold or silver): The handle is decorated with family crests and animal and plant designs.
These decorations are designed to be aesthetically pleasing while being easy to use when holding the sword.
③ Tsuba: Expressing the individuality of the samurai
Tsuba is a circular metal fitting attached between the hilt and blade to protect the hand. However, it was not just a protective tool, and many highly decorative pieces were made.
▶ Tsuba decoration techniques
・Zogan: A technique of inserting gold or silver into iron or copper.
・Watermark carving: A part of a guard is hollowed out to create a delicate pattern.
・Chokin: A technique of embossing or embossing to create three-dimensional patterns.
In the Edo period, professional craftsmen called kinkoshi began to make guards as a craft, and a unique art culture flourished.
Goshirae were not merely decorative items, but a reflection of the owner's status, values, and sense of beauty. In particular, prestigious samurai and daimyo were particular about their own goshirae, and sometimes asked craftsmen to create custom designs.
The beauty of goshirae is also closely related to Bushido. For samurai, the sword was their soul, and the goshirae that wrapped the soul was a symbol of themselves.
Summary of Part 1
✅ Japanese swords were developed as both weapons and art objects.
✅ During the Sengoku period, they were highly valued as weapons for practical use, and after the Edo period, they became a symbol of appreciation and prestige.
✅ In addition to the body of the sword, decorative techniques for scabbard, hilt, and guard (Makie, mother-of-pearl, inlay, watermark carving, etc.) developed to enhance the artistic quality of Japanese swords.
✅ Koshirae was an important element that expressed the samurai's sense of beauty and spirituality.
Part 2: "Is a Japanese sword a weapon? Art? I'm going to look at the two sides."
So far, we have looked at the historical evolution of Japanese swords and their value as works of art.
However, Japanese swords were originally made as weapons.
In the next part, we will look at
how Japanese swords were actually used on the battlefield?
What was the role of Japanese swords in samurai tactics?
Why did Japanese swords become highly valued as works of art?
How have modern Japanese swords been handed down?
We will delve into these points and explore the answer to the question, "Is a Japanese sword a weapon or an art?."
Please look forward to the next part!
Want to read more
●(Part 2) Are Japanese swords art or weapons? History, beauty, and swords from the Sengoku period
●Castles and real estate: What is the value of the land where Japanese castles are built?
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