Take a second to think of the feudal era in Japan. Instantly a number of pictures will pop into your head but the most prominent will probably be the samurai, and their use that amazing weapon in the samurai sword. The brilliant samurai sword may be just seen as merely a long blade of steel that would swiftly cut down an enemy, but it was far more than a weapon. It was a important item of protection that could not simply be place on display and as the years continued the samurai sword also changed with time.
The Three Periods of the outstanding samurai sword
You will find really six periods where the wonderful samurai sword changed and created to much better accommodate a changing world, but you will find 3 that really encompass the importance of the brilliant samurai sword.
Jokoto Period (900 AD) - Ancient Swords
Throughout this time the tachi was the primary weapon of choice. This particular sword came onto the scene way prior to the katana was crafted and it was a weapon only utilized by the samurai of that time period.
This lightweight Samurai Sword was an typical of thirty inches and it would be hung in the belt facing downward, in contrast to conventional katana swords. This technique of hanging the sword around the belt also produced a distinctive style which came to become known as the tachi style.
Also, similarly to a katana, this weapon is distinguished by the makers signature, particularly if it was signed on the base of the sword, or tang. This weapon was perfect for fighting on horseback.
The tantou was also introduced throughout the Jokoto period, presented as a tactical knife, the blade was short and helpful for quick hits. This wonderful samurai sword is produced for the agile and it’s smaller size made it perfect for discreteness. Even though it no longer stands the test of time alongside much more lately created weapons, it still stands as a testimony to the ancient craft.
Koto Period (900 - 1596) - Old Swords
To many this period was when sword creating was at its best and also the samurai swords crafted throughout this period have gone on to be remembered as some of the most iconic. This includes the wakizashi and also the katana which are two of the much more well-liked samurai swords.
The wakizashi comes in two versions, a larger and a shorter variety. The smaller sized wakizashi, also referred to as a ko-wakizashi is noted for its traditional purpose of beheading an enemy and committing ritual suicide or seppuku. An additional fascinating note about the wakizashi samurai sword is that it could be worn by people who weren't samurai.
Then there's the katana, the samurai sword which usually comes to thoughts whenever you believe of conventional samurai swords. The katana developed from the tachi style, it was the sword that began the fashion of sheathing the sword face up and putting it within the obi making it simple to draw and prepared use in a single, lightening fast motion.
Shinto Period (1596 - 1780) - Additional development
During this period samurai swords had been additional developed using the use of much more advanced technology and improved materials, resulting inside a clearly superior sword. The uniformity and the improvement in high quality is clearly apparent in swords from this period.
Nevertheless, the finish of this period can also be the period when the samurai began to disappear because the significance of money started to overshadow the ability and capability of samurai.
Despite this, the evolution of the samurai sword didn’t quit at the Shinto Period. Japanese samurai swords have continued to prosper and although the way of the samurai might be out of practice, the samurai sword and also the skills associated with its use still exist, passed down to us from a potent tradition of Japanese martial arts, ethics and craftsmanship.