The name "samurai" can be considered conditional. It is familiar to a European, who understands this type of sword primarily as a katana, but this form of sword came to Japan itself from Korea, and in Japanese chronicles of the 7th-13th centuries. such a sword was called “Korean”. The ancient Japanese sword - tsurugi - had a long handle and a straight, double-edged blade. They wore it obliquely behind their back and uncovered it, grabbing the handle with both hands at once. Since the 3rd century AD. The tsurugi becomes sharpened on only one side, and some types have a massive counterweight on the handle. Curved blades in Japan began to be made in the Heian era (the first serious mention of them dates back to 710), that is, almost simultaneously with the appearance of the classical saber in the Middle East. By the 12th century, with the growth of power and the strengthening of the samurai class, the curved blade, which was the service weapon of the samurai, completely replaced the straight one in Japan.
Both in European and in our literature there is sufficient confusion in the names samurai swords. It is known that the samurai carried two swords - long and short. Such a pair was called daisho (literally "larger and smaller") and consisted of a daito ("larger sword"), which was the main weapon of the samurai, and a seto ("smaller sword"), which served as a spare or additional weapon used in close combat, for cutting off heads or hara-kiri, if the samurai did not have a kusungobu dagger specially designed for this. True, the custom of wearing two swords finally developed only in the 16th century. A long sword has a blade length of more than two shaku (shaku = 33 cm), a short sword - from one to two shaku (that is, 33-66 cm). The long sword is the most famous in Europe, usually called the "katana". But this is not entirely correct. A katana is a long sword that is worn in a sheath, tucked into the belt with the blade facing up, and is drawn from the sheath, unsheathed, in a downward motion. This method of wearing a sword appeared in the 14th-15th centuries. and became the main, most convenient one (by the way: wearing a katana in your belt with the blade up allows you to conveniently pull it out not only with your right, but also with your left hand). Until that time, the word “katana” meant a long dagger or short sword tucked into the belt, and a long one was called " Tati". Tati was worn on his side in a sling tied to a sheath in which he was placed with the blade down, exposed from the bottom up. This method of carrying a long sword was suitable when samurai fought mainly on horseback, but for those on foot it was significantly less convenient. In addition, etiquette required that a long sword be removed when entering a house, and removing a sword in a sheath from a belt is much simpler and more convenient than unhooking them from the sling each time and then tying them back. From the 14th-15th centuries, when such swords began to be worn mainly in the belt, wearing a sword on a sling began to be considered rather ceremonial, and therefore the tati himself and his scabbard were treated much more richly, because they were ceremonial. The short sword, which was always carried in a sheath at the waist, was called a katana or tanto when worn in conjunction with a tachi. And when worn in conjunction with a long katana, it was called wakizashi. So the name of samurai swords mainly reflects the way they were worn, and the larger and smaller swords, no matter what they were called, when drawn from their scabbards, had same length and shape, except that the very early forms of the smaller sword (back when it was still called a katana) had a barely noticeable curvature and seemed almost straight.
The length of a daito is 95-120 cm, a seto is 50-70 cm. The handle of a long sword is usually designed for 3.5 fists, and a short one for 1.5. The blade width of both swords is about 3 cm, the thickness of the back is 5 mm, while the blade has a razor sharpness. The handle is usually covered with shark skin or wrapped in such a way that the handle does not slip in the hands. The weight of a long sword is about 4 kg. The guard of both swords was small, only slightly covering the hand, and had a round, petal or multifaceted shape. It was called "tsuba". The tsuba of the small sword could have additional slots for inserting additional knives into its sheath - throwing kozuka and utility kogai. The production of tsubas has literally turned into an artistic craft. They could have a complex openwork shape and be decorated with carvings or relief images.
In addition to the daisho, a samurai could also wear a nodachi - a “field sword” with a blade more than a meter long and a total length of about 1.5 m. It was usually worn behind the back like a tsurugi or on the shoulder, holding it with the hand. With the exception of length, nodachi was structurally no different from daito, which we will further call katana.
The rider could hold the katana with one hand, but in battle on the ground, this sword was preferred to be held with both hands because of its weight. Early katana techniques involved wide circular slashing movements, but later they became much more developed. The katana could be used to stab and chop equally easily. The long handle allows you to actively maneuver the sword. In this case, the main grip is the position when the end of the handle rests in the middle of the palm, and the right hand holds it near the guard. The simultaneous movement of both hands allows you to describe a wide amplitude with the sword without much effort.
Both the katana and the straight European sword of a knight weigh a lot, but the principles for performing chopping blows are completely different. The European method, aimed at piercing armor, involves maximum use of the inertia of the sword and delivering a blow “with a sweep”. In Japanese fencing, the person leads the sword, not the person's sword. There, the blow is also delivered with the force of the whole body, but not from a normal step, but from an additional step, in which the body receives a powerful push forward (greater than when turning the body). In this case, the blow is applied “fixed” to a given level, and the blade stops exactly where the master wants it, and the force of the blow is not extinguished. And when the master of the sword chops into small slices a head of cabbage or a watermelon lying on the stomach of his student, or cuts off half a lemon clutched in his teeth (often also blindly, blindfolded), then what is first of all demonstrated is his ability to catch a shot. And if such a blow does not hit the target, then it no longer pulls the owner along with it, as is the case with a European sword, but gives him the opportunity to change direction or strike the next one, especially since the short step allows him to deliver powerful blows at every step - today's A Kendoka with a black belt can perform three vertical sword strikes per second. Most of the blows are delivered in the vertical plane. There is almost no division into “block strike” accepted in Europe. There are knocking blows to the enemy's hands or weapons, throwing his weapon away from the line of attack and making it possible to deal a damaging blow to the enemy at the next step. They retreat forward when fighting with katanas. Leaving the line of attack while simultaneously striking is one of the most frequently used combinations. After all, we must keep in mind that a direct blow from a katana can cut through almost anything, and Japanese armor is simply not designed to “withstand” direct blows. A duel between true masters of the samurai sword can hardly be called a duel in the European sense of the word, because it is built on the principle of “one blow on the spot.” In kenjutsu there is a “duel of hearts”, when two masters simply stand motionless or sit and look at each other, and the one who first jerks to the weapon loses...
There were and are many schools of kenjutsu, as the art of sword fighting is called in Japan. Some convert Special attention others pay attention to instantly leaving the line of attack, accompanied by a vertical strike ("Shinkage-ryu") great attention placing the left hand under the blade of the sword and fighting techniques carried out using this technique ("Shinto-ryu"), others practice working with two swords at the same time - a large one in the right hand, a small one in the left ("Nito-ryu") - such fighters are called " reto zukai." Some people prefer cutting blows in a horizontal plane with a detour around the enemy - there is a lot in common between kenjutsu and aikido techniques. You can hit with the handle, you can grab the sword with a reverse grip, you can use trips and sweeps in close combat. The features of the samurai sword allow you to use almost all techniques for working with long bladed weapons.
In the 17th century, after the unification of the country under the rule of the Tokugawa house, a trend began to transform kenjutsu into kendo - a method of sword fighting into the Way of the Sword. Kendo paid a lot of attention to the moral self-improvement of the individual, and is now one of the most popular sports in Japan, which no longer uses real military weapons, but their sports equivalents made of wood or bamboo. For the first time, a wooden sword that follows the contours of a real one (bokken, or bokuto) was introduced by the legendary master of the 17th century. Miyamoto Musashi. True, such a wooden sword was still a formidable weapon that could easily split a skull. Samurai often kept bokken at home, at their head. In the event of a surprise attack, it was possible to use it to disarm and capture the enemy without shedding blood, simply, for example, by breaking his arms or breaking his collarbone...
Compared to the technique of fighting with a long Japanese sword, the technique of fighting with a short sword is less known. Here you can find lashing blows with a brush, built on the same principle of a fixed blow, and a suspended position of the sword, which fans of Slavic-Goritsky wrestling love to flaunt, and frequent blows with the handle to the solar plexus. Naturally, compared to a long sword, there are more thrusting blows, since this weapon is still intended for close-range combat.
About the place of the sword in Japanese society and Japanese culture a lot has been written. The sword was and remains one of the symbols of the imperial dynasty, an object of Shinto cult, one of the symbols of nurturing the national spirit. Before starting to make a real traditional Japanese sword, the Japanese blacksmith performed a long preparatory ritual, reminiscent of the preparation of a Russian icon painter for painting a church or creating an icon important to him: fasting, cleansing baths, long prayers, dressing in clean, ceremonial clothes, celibacy .
Perhaps in no other country in the world was sword etiquette so developed. As in other regions, tucked into the belt with right side or placing the blade to your right signified trust in the interlocutor, because from this position the sword was more difficult to bring into combat readiness. When entering a house, a long sword was left at the entrance on a special stand, and entering inside with this sword meant demonstrating extreme disrespect. It was possible to hand over a sword to someone, both for display and for storage, only with the hilt towards oneself - turning the sword with the hilt towards the enemy meant disrespect for his abilities as a fencer, since a real master could instantly take advantage of this. When demonstrating weapons, the sword was never completely exposed, and it could only be touched with a silk scarf or a sheet of rice paper. Drawing a sword, striking the scabbard against the scabbard, and, even more so, rattling the weapon was tantamount to a challenge, which could be followed by a blow without any warning. As in Europe, swords could have names and were passed down from generation to generation. And the best Japanese gunsmiths often did not specifically brand their swords, believing that the weapon itself tells about who created it, and a person who is not able to understand this has no need to know who created the sword. The word "sword" was often taboo, and, for example, "wakizashi" literally means "stuck in the side"...
Speaking about the features of the manufacturing technology of a samurai sword, it is worth noting the weaknesses of this process, namely, while gaining greater hardness and power along the axis of the blade, this type of sword is more vulnerable if hit on its flat side. With such a blow you can break a katana even with a short mace (or Okinawan nunchucks, which were specially used to break samurai swords). And if a European sword usually breaks at a distance of a palm or two fingers from the guard, then a Japanese sword breaks at a distance of 1/3 or 1/2 of the length of the blade from the guard.
The Japanese sword is a bladed single-edged chopping weapon, produced using traditional Japanese technology from multilayer steel with controlled carbon content. The name is also used to refer to a single-edged sword with characteristic shape a slightly curved blade that was the main weapon of a samurai warrior.
* Tachi is a long sword (blade length from 61 cm) with a relatively large bend (sori), intended mainly for mounted combat. There is a type of tachi called odachi, that is, a “large” tachi with a blade length of 1 m (from 75 cm from the 16th century). In museums they are shown in the blade-down position.
* Katana is a long sword (blade length 61-73 cm), with a slightly wider and thicker blade and less curvature compared to tachi. Visually, it is difficult to distinguish a katana from a tachi based on the blade; they differ primarily in the manner of wearing. Gradually, from the 15th century, the katana replaced the tati as a weapon for foot combat. In museums they are shown in the position with the blade up, according to the manner of wearing. In ancient times, daggers were called katanas, but since the 16th century this name was transferred to uchigatana swords.
* Wakizashi is a short sword (blade length 30.3-60.6 cm). WITH late XVI century, paired with a longer katana, forms the standard set of samurai weapons, daisho (“long and short”). It was used both for fighting in close quarters and in tandem with a katana in some fencing techniques. Unlike the katana, non-samurai were allowed to wear it.
* Tanto (koshigatana) - dagger or knife (blade length< 30,3 см). В древности кинжалы называли не «танто», а «катана». Меч тати, как правило, сопровождался коротким танто.
* Tsurugi is a straight, double-edged sword, common in Japan until the 10th century. Many samples do not belong to real Japanese swords (nihonto), as they are made using Chinese or Korean technology. In a broad sense, the term was used in ancient times to refer to all swords. At a later time it was replaced by the term ken to designate straight sword.
* Naginata is an intermediate weapon between a sword and a spear: a strongly curved blade up to 60 cm long, mounted on a handle as long as a person’s height.
* Koto - lit. "old sword" Swords produced before 1596. It is believed that after this time many techniques of traditional technology were lost.
* Shinto - lit. "new sword" Swords produced from 1596 to 1868, that is, before the industrial revolution of the Meiji period. With rare exceptions, Shinto swords are not considered highly artistic creations of blacksmiths, although they may have luxurious finishes. Externally they resemble koto swords, but are inferior in metal quality.
* Gendaito - lit. "modern sword" Swords produced after 1868 to the present. Among them there are both showato (literally “sword of the Showa period”), mass-produced for the army using simplified factory technology, including shin-gunto (Japanese shin gunto:?, lit. “new army sword”), and swords , forged after the resumption of production in 1954 by modern blacksmiths using traditional technologies, for which it is proposed to use the name shin-sakuto (Japanese shin sakuto?, “newly made sword”) or shin-gendaito (lit. “new modern sword”).
* Tsuba - a guard with a characteristic round shape, in addition to its functional purpose (to protect the hand), served as a decoration for the sword.
* Hamon - a pattern line on a blade that appears after it is hardened between the blade and the butt as a result of the formation of fine-grained crystalline structures in the metal.
Let's look at the structure of a Japanese sword using an example katanas.
Katana- long samurai sword, sword length 90-120 cm, handle length 25-30 cm or 3 arm wraps, blade width 27-35 mm, deflection equal to or slightly greater than the width of the blade. The handle is covered with stingray skin or shark skin. Garda katanas called tsuboi and is most often round in shape.
The length of the sword blade is calculated as follows: to get the maximum length, you need to subtract 90 cm from your height. To also take into account issues of ease of handling the sword, you usually subtract another 8 cm from the resulting value. For example, 175 - 90 = 85 cm, 85 - 8 = 77 cm. (my personal opinion is that this is not scientific, below is information from another source).
If your height is not in the table, then for every additional centimeter of height you need to add 3 mm to the length of the blade, i.e. you can more accurately calculate the length of the blade (but this is only a recommendation since throughout the existence of the sword its length and technique of wielding it have changed, here the fighter has the right to choose the length of the sword depending on the combat situation).
Frame buke-zukuri, or uchi-gata-na koshirae . Swords mounted in this style were worn tucked into the belt. There was a protrusion on the scabbard kurikata, through which the cord was passed sageo.
Frame details buke-zukuri
Kasira - the head of the hilt of swords mounted in the style buke-zukuri.
Kojiri - the tip of the scabbard of swords in the style buke-zukuri; may be missing, then the tip of the scabbard is simply rounded and varnished in the same way as all the scabbards.
Koiguchi - "carp mouth"; entrance to the scabbard (or kutigane, if the mouth of the sheath is covered with a metal ring).
Kurikata - a protrusion with a slot located one-sixth the length of the sword below koiguchi on the front side of the scabbard omote, through which the cord passes sageo.
Mekugi- a fastening pin passing through the handle and tang of the sword.
Manuki - ornament on the hilt of the sword.
Sageo - cord on the scabbard of the sword.
Same- stingray skin used to cover fart.
Saya - sheath.
Seppa - a pair of oval metal washers covering the shank on both sides of the guard.
Footy - clutch on the handle.
Tsuba - garda.
Tsuka - handle.
Tsuka-ito - handle winding
The most famous type of sword style buke-zukuri- This katana (daito) And wakizashi (shoto). Wakizashi was just a smaller copy katana. Together they formed daisho(“big and small”). If all the details of the frame daisho were designed in the same style, then this pair was called daisho-soroimono.
Scabbard (saya) swords are usually made from ho-no-ki(magnolia) and consist of two halves. In cross-section, they almost always have the shape of an elongated oval of the same shape and size as seppa(washers) located next to them and remain the same throughout their entire length. Sword scabbards were usually coated with a very durable varnish. U daisho - pairs of swords worn by samurai - this varnish is usually of calm tones, usually black, and all other decorations are designed in the same calm style. Bright, eye-catching colors were preferred by dandies, and bright red varnish, imported from China, was on the swords worn by samurai from the provinces of Satsuma and Hyuga, who were famous for their courage and great ardor.
The surface on which the varnish is applied is either simple smooth, or it may have wide or narrow grooves running diagonally or transversely. The varnished base itself can be either grainy or well sanded, plain or decorated nashiji(gold dust) guri-bori or in other styles, or even striped two-color. Quite often there is also a varnish like stingray fish ( same-nuri). These bases can then receive any form of decoration, but for daisho sophisticated maki-e(loose pattern) does not suit Japanese taste. However, with regard to daggers, the master could allow free flight of fantasy, and inlaid metal ornaments are often found here (kanamono).
The following six pieces of sword scabbard, framed in the style buke-zukuri, could have special decoration details:
Ring covering the entrance to the scabbard - koi-guchi(“carp mouth”) or kutigane, if it is metal;
Uragawara - reinforcing bar running across the base of the slot for ko-gatana;
Lining of slots for ko-gatana And kogai. Typically available in polished black lacquer, polished natural horn, or soft buff leather;
kurikata(“chestnut shape”) - a protrusion with a slot located one-sixth of the length of the sword below koi-guchi on the side omote, through which the cord passes sageo;
sori-tsuno("returning horn"), or origane, -
a small hook-shaped protrusion even lower on the same side, directed towards the hilt. It serves to prevent the sheath from slipping forward from the belt. It is quite rare and usually wakizashi,
but his presence often speaks of good things
blade;
Kojiri - scabbard tip. It often doesn’t happen, especially in wakizashi, and the tip of the scabbard is simply rounded and varnished in the same way as all the scabbards. In shape, material and decoration it very often corresponds cashier.
All these parts (except for the lining of the slots for ko-gatana And kogai) usually metal, more or less equally decorated. But in discreet frames they can be made of polished black horn of the simplest form and the smallest size necessary for their purpose.
Sageo - it is a flat silk cord passed through curicata, with which the sword was tied to the belt. Length sageo was from 60 to 150 cm depending on the size of the weapon, and it could be removed before battle and used as tasuki for tying the long sleeves of a civilian suit to give freedom of arm movement. Sageo They were also used to bind a captured enemy. Color sageo matches the color of the scabbard. If the latter are in good Japanese taste, discreet and strict, the same will be true sageo. Bright and dog have three frames sageo corresponding.
Handle (tsuka) always made from two halves of wood glued together, preferably ho-no-ki(magnolia). There was a hole between them for the shank (nakago), called tsuka-guchi. The tree was usually covered with a single piece of white same- knotty stingray skin. The seam ran down the center of the side hooray, and usually the piece was selected so that a central row of three or four bigger size the nodules were on the top side omote.
A winding was placed on top tsuka-ito(“hilt thread”), consisting of a strip of strong flat silk (less often leather or cotton) ribbon uchi-him o up to 0.6 cm wide. Quite rarely, instead of a flat ribbon, you find a cord wrapped in rows. Usually, tsuka-ito was black, occasionally soft brown, dark blue or green. Sometimes daimyo used katanas with white winding; it was also a trait of a certain type tati. Occasionally, leather cord and whalebone are found. The center of the tape was placed close to the handle coupling footy on the side omote, and the two ends were wrapped around the handle on the right and left, respectively, and twisted twice at equal distances. As a result same turned out to be completely closed, except for a number of diamond-shaped spaces on both sides of the handle. After the tape was passed through the sides of the handle head cashier, it was secured on both sides of the handle with a flat compact unit. Slightly below the center of the handle on the side omote and a little higher on the side hooray the wrapping partially covered and secured the two decorations in place Menuki.
Handle wrap options tsuka and the winding technique resulting in the pattern shown top center
Securing the cord tsuka-ito on cashier
There were many exceptions to this usual tsuka-maki(handle wrapping method). For example, on swords worn daimyo at formal wear, called kamishimo, in the shogun's court during the Edo period, a black silk wrap was crossed over the cashier, instead of going inside; cashier in this case it was made of simple black horn. This style is known as maki-kake-no-kashira, and a sword with such a winding was called kamishimo-zashi.
Certain court swords, as well as most short swords and daggers, had stingray skin hilts left unwrapped. In such cases cashier and both Menuki had to be secured with glue, hidden pins, decorative buttons or other in a suitable way. This style is called hanashi-menuki(free Menuki). There are also many forms of unwrapped hilt, for the most part daggers whose handles are covered with polished or carved wood, varnish, rattan or metal. Usually, if there was no stingray skin on the handle, the side joints between the halves of the handle were covered with strips of metal called kenuki-kanamono.
The shape of the handle consists of a narrow elliptical section and usually becomes very slightly thinner at both ends towards the middle. Daggers with an unwound hilt have a side omote may have an oblique cut at a distance of 2.5 cm from cashier. In the case when the dagger is worn on the chest in clothing ( kwaiken), This feature allows a person to immediately feel which side the blade is on.
Garda (tsuba) usually has the shape of a disk. The only exceptions are the guards of ancient swords, which have the shape of a small cross and are called sieve-gi(shaped like a Shinto sacrificial rice cake, hence the name). Such guards are also found on some ceremonial types. tati. Cup-shaped guards are found, but quite rarely.
There are guards various forms and sizes, although the most common are round or oval with a diameter of 6 to 9 cm.
Guards are almost always made of metal, although on ceremonial swords they may be patent leather, leather stretched over wood, or papier-mâché. Until the 16th century. Tsuba guards were usually made of iron. Simple in design, they served a purely utilitarian purpose - to protect the hand. Later, as metallurgy developed, the tsuba also became a work of art. Guard decorations reach their peak during the peaceful Edo period. Metals such as gold, silver, copper with various reddish patinas, as well as copper alloys began to be used to decorate them: shakudo, shibuichi, sambo gin, rogin, karakane, nigurome, sentoku and pure brass sintu. Application of various chemical compounds allowed us to give them the most different colors. To them you need to add interesting contrasting combinations of two or more alloys of different colors.
Guard details (tsuba)
Hira(“flat body”) - part of the guard between Mimi And seppadai.
Mimi - headband
Seppadai(“position for washers”) - place for washers seppa. The oval part of the guard around the hole for the tang. Two washers are adjacent to this place ( seppa) between the guard and the blade and the guard and the handle. When the guard is on the sword, seppadai completely hidden from view. Usually completely unremarkable except for the signature, it is often a slightly convex regular oval.
Nakago-ana - hole for shank. A hole in the center of the guard through which the tang of the sword passes.
Udenuki-ana - holes for lanyard. Some guards have two holes of different sizes. A lanyard was attached to them.
Sekigane - aggregate. A metal filler used to size the tang hole to the specific strip of the sword and provide a secure fit. These holes are found on iron guards and indicate that this is an early guard. The filler is also used in ryo-hitsu.
Kogai hitsu-ana - hole for kogai. This hole is often shaped like half of a four-petaled flower.
Kozuka hitsu-ana - hole for Kozu-ki. This is the hole opposite Kogai hitsu-ana, designed for handle ko-gatana. The hole is often shaped like half a moon. Together Kogai hitsu-ana And Kozuka Hitsu-ana are called ryo-hitsu.
Handle coupling (futi) and handle head (kasira). These two frame pieces are usually considered together since they are usually designed similarly and made by the same craftsman.
Function footy(handle couplings) and cashier(handle head) consists of strengthening the handle at both ends. Term "cashira"(lit. "head") is an abbreviation for original name "tsuka-gashira"(handle head), and footy- a general term for a boundary. Both things together are usually called futi-kasira.
Footy, as a rule, consists of a flat metal ring band up to 1.3 cm wide, which covers the handle next to the guard and is easy to remove. At the base footy there is an oval plate called tenjo-gane(“ceiling metal”), usually copper, with a hole for the tang of a sword.
Kasira is a small cup usually with a flattened bottom, although it is also common cashier with a completely round bottom. On footy the main part of the pattern is located on the side omote. On cashier the pattern is located on the end of the handle so that it is visible when wearing the sword.
From each side cashier there is an oval slot - shitodome-ana, equipped with a retractable eyelet - shitodome("oat eye") of gilded copper, just large enough to accommodate the cord of the handle. On the hilt with a wrapped handle cashier no longer attaches. However, on a handle without a wrap, it is usually secured not only with glue, but also with two leaf-headed pins large enough to hide shitodome-ana(the loop from which has been removed).
Footy signs on the side omote outer surface tenjo-gane and sometimes on the visible part. On cashier the signature, in the rare cases where it is present, is on a small metal plate soldered on the inside or outside. It is also located at Menuki.
Manuki- this is a pair of small ornaments made of decorated metal located on both sides of the handle. They serve not only as decoration, but also for a tighter grip around the handle. They probably originate from the decorated caps of fastening pins on ancient swords. Together with kogai And ko-gatana (Kozuka) they can form a single set called mitokoro-mono(“three places of a thing”). A single style can extend to a complete set of metal parts for a sword - soroimono(“uniform thing”) or pairs of swords - daisho-soroimono. Mitokoro-mono or soroimono the work of a famous metalworker - preferably one of the Gotos - was a favorite gift among daimyo and other dignitaries on special occasions.
Mekugi- This is a fastening pin that goes through the hilt and tang of the sword and prevents the sword strip from falling out of the hilt. It is usually made from bamboo, but often from dark horn (very rarely from ivory). When the handle is wrapped, it tapers slightly mekugi enters on the side hooray in the center of one of the open diamonds same so that's on the side omote its narrower end is hidden by the winding. But there are exceptions to this rule. In the unwrapped hilts of daggers mekugi can pass through a metal or ivory eyelet or through a metal band - do-gane(“body metal”), covering the handle.
Metal mekugi- This is a striking feature of most non-wrap handles. It consists of a thick copper tube with a decorative cap, often silver, into which a copper pin with the same cap is threaded or screwed on the other side. The threads on the screws are often left-handed, and extreme care must be taken when dismantling such weapons.
Washers (seppa)- this is a pair of oval metal washers covering the shank on both sides of the guard. They are almost always made of copper, plain, gold-plated, silver-plated, or covered with gold or silver foil. Visible surfaces may be polished or lightly streaked. Their edges are usually milled or decorated with holes. Some swords have two or three pairs, and some tati in addition to these usual seppa often there is a much larger pair called o-seppa(large washers). They cover most of the guard and are decorated with engraving, the basis of the design often being an elegant Maltese cross. They say that seppa began to be used in the 12th century. Their purpose is to protect footy and guard from damage and give everything a finished look.
Coupling (habaki). Despite the fact that from the artistic side habaki The least significant, it is absolutely necessary, and is found on all Japanese swords, daggers and spears. This thick metal coupling, inner side which fits tightly to the last two to three centimeters of the blade and the first two to three centimeters of the shank ( nakago) (approximate figures for a medium-sized weapon), has several functions. Firstly, it holds the sword tightly in the sheath, eliminating friction of the blade and especially the hardened part of the blade on the inner surface of the sheath. Secondly, it to some extent protects the blade from the appearance of rust in this dangerous place, therefore part of the strip of the sword under habaki should be lightly oiled. But its most important function is that it transfers the impact of a blow through the guard to the entire handle, and not to the relatively weak restraining peg mekugi made of bamboo or horn.
Habaki usually made of copper, silver-plated or gold-plated, or covered with gold, silver or alloy foil shakudo. The surface is either polished or covered with oblique strokes, which are called neko-gaki(“cat scratches”) If a thin foil covering is present, it can be embedded into these neko-gaki or decorated with a stamped pattern. Occasionally also found habaki made of iron, precious metals, or even ivory or wood, but only on swords not mounted for serious use. If the sword strip is thinner than average and thus requires habaki extra thickness, then can be used nid-zyu-habaki- double habaki. It's just a regular sized habaki, reinforced with a separate but neatly fitted piece that adds two "cheeks" to enhance the bottom part(adjacent to the guard). By habaki you can often evaluate the quality of the blade. Niju-haba-ki and especially habaki, decorated with the family coat of arms mon, usually belong to good swords.
Sword strip terminology
The strip of a sword, dagger or any other bladed weapon consists of a blade and a tang.
Point (kisaki)- This is the most difficult part of the sword to forge and polish. The value of a sword is largely determined by its condition. kitsaki. Hardening line on the tip ( barefoot) may not be the same on different sides of the blade.
There are a great many types of hardening lines on the tip (as well as on the blade itself).
Types of sword point ( kitsaki) and hardening lines (barefoot) are classified:
1. according to the shape of the blade:
- fukura-kareru- direct;
- fukura-tsuku- curved;2. by size:
-ko-kisaki- small point. Characteristic of the tachi of the Heian period and the beginning of the Kamakura period;
- tyu-kisaki- average. A widespread type for all swords from about 1232;
- o-kisaki- long;
- ikari-o-kisaki- long and curved;3. along the hardening line (bosi):
- ko-maru- weak rounding;
- o-maru- strong rounding. The width of the hardened part is narrower than in ko-maru;
- jizo- in the shape of the head of the deity Jizo;
- yaki-zume- non-returning. Typically, the hardening line extends to the point and turns back toward the shank. In this case, return ( Kaeri) absent;
- midare-komi- wavy;
- kaen- fiery;
- iti-mai- full. The entire tip is hardened;
- Kaeri-tsuyoshi- straight return line;
- kaeri-fukashi- long return;
- kaeri-asashi- short return.
Sword strip
Komi, or mi,- blade.
Nakago- shank.
Tosin- sword strip.
Sword strip terminology
Bosi - hardening line on the tip.
Yokote - the line separating the tip and the blade.
Dzi (ilihira-ji) - the plane between the blade and Shinogi(its width is called Nick).
Jihad - surface pattern hada.
Ji-tsuya - darker (compared to ha-tsuya) part of the blade (the rest of the blade, except the hardened part).
Kasane - blade thickness, measured along the spine; It happens moto-kasaie And saki-kasane.
Kisaki - tip (sometimes this term refers to the entire area from yokote to the very tip of the blade).
Ko-shinogi - the edge of the blade at the tip.
Mizukage - fuzzy line on a plane dzi, usually occurring when re-hardening the blade.
Mihab - blade width; It happens moto hub And saki-haba.
Mitsu-kado - the point where they meet yokote, Shinogi And ko-sinogi.
Monouchi - the part of the blade that delivers most of the blows is the part of the blade about 15 cm long, located about 10 cm below yokote(data for a long sword; for short swords and daggers it is proportionally reduced).
Moto-kasane - blade thickness mune-machi.
Moto hub - blade width between ha-mati And mune-machi.
Mune - butt of the blade.
Mune-machi - a small cut separating the shank from the blade on the butt side, edge mune.
Mune-saki - the name of the butt near the tip;
Mai - inscriptions (on nakago and etc.).
Mekugi-ana - holes in nakago For Menuki.
Nagasa - blade length (measured between mune-machi and tip).
Nakago-jiri - extremity nakago.
Sabigiwa - border between habaki-moto And Yasuri-me.
Saki-kasane - blade thickness yokote.
Saki-haba - blade width yokote.
Shinogi - edge of the blade.
Shinogi-ji - blade plane between Shinogi And mune.
Sorry - blade curvature.
Sugata - blade shape.
Fukura - blade shape kitsaki.
Ha(or ha-saki) - blade.
Habaki-moto - part of the sword strip that is under the muff habaki.
Hada - steel lamination; the result of the folding of steel during the forging process.
Ha-mati - small cut separating the tang from the blade on the side of the blade, edge Ha.
Jamon - line Yakiba.
Hataraki - “activity”, development on the metal surface ( nioi, nie and etc.).
Ha-tsuya - lighter part of the blade compared to ji-tsuya; almost the same as Yakiba.
Hee - dollars
Horimono - engraving on the blade.
Yakiba - hardened part of the blade.
Yakihaba - width Yakiba.
Yasuri-me - notches on the shank.
Edge of the blade (shinog) missing from blades hira-zukuri. There are two types:
protruding (Shinogi-takashi). The thickness of the blade between the stiffening ribs is much greater than that of the butt;
- smooth (shinogi-hikushi).
The plane between the edge and the butt of the blade (Shinogi-ji) can be wide or narrow.
Dol (hee) originally made to increase the strength of the blade and reduce its weight. Later it began to be seen as decoration. Sometimes a fuller was made in order to restore the balance of a shortened sword or to hide flaws in the blade (such fullers added later are called ato-bi). There are 8 types of dols, of which Koshi-hi, Tomabashi, Shobu-hi, Kuichigai-hi and Naginata-hi- on short swords.
In addition, there are 4 forms of fuller at the shank, of which kaki-toshi and kaki-nagashi usually found on strips of swords made by smiths of the Old Sword Period ( koto).
The valley may cross yokote(type hi-saki-agari) and stop a little before reaching yokote(type hisaki-sagari).
Plane shinogi-ji, not cut down, is called tiri. Dol may have tiri on both sides (type ryo-chiri) or only on one side (type kata-chiri).
Types of fullers on a sword strip
Bo-hee- wide dol.
Bo-hi-ni-tsure-hi- wide and narrow valley.
Gomabasi- two short beats.
Kaki-nagashi- extending to half of the shank.
Kaki-toshi- passing throughout the shank.
Kaku-dome- rectangular end.
Koshi-hi- short dollar
Kuitigai-hi- double irregular fuller, joining at the end.
Naginata-hi- short wide fuller; typical for naginata, but is also found on swords.
Shobu-hi- double dale joining at the end.
Futasuji-hi- two narrow valleys.
Maru-dome- rounded end.Engraving (horimono). Found on the blades of Japanese swords Various types engravings. Most common subjects: chopsticks ( Goma-Hasi), ritual sword ken, the Dragon ( kurikara) and inscriptions in Chinese or Japanese characters (bondzi).
Hataraki
Ji-nie- spots nee V dzi.
Kinsuji, inazuma And Sunagashi- stripes below and above the line jamon.
Ko-nie- small dots nee above jamon.
Uchinoke- “activity” in the shape of a crescent.
Main part Japanese wars was conducted between the Japanese, that is, within the framework of one people and one culture. Both sides used similar weapons and similar military tactics and strategies. In these conditions special meaning acquired such, usually not very significant factors, as the personal skills of soldiers in the use of weapons (mastery of martial arts) and the leadership talents of army commanders.
Military periods of history Japan amenable to independent classification based on the types of weapons used in a given period. If for European history changes in weapons and methods of their use had consequences of political significance (and therefore they cannot be studied in isolation from politics), then for history Japan these changes had exclusively cultural significance, and therefore can be studied independently and separately.
IN military history Classical Japan can be divided into three main periods: Luke, spears and sword.
Age of Luke
The bow (yumi) is the oldest Japanese weapon. It was actively used in prehistoric times. Archery has traditionally been known in two forms - as an important part of Shinto rites (kyudo - “Way of the Bow”) and as a martial art itself (kyujitsu - “Art of Archery”). The first, as a rule, was practiced by aristocrats, the second by samurai.
The Japanese bow is asymmetrical, with the top half being about twice as long as the bottom. Bow length - 2 m or more. Traditionally, bow limbs are made of composite materials, meaning the outer part is made of wood and the inner part is made of bamboo. As a result, the arrow almost never flies straight, making accurate aiming a matter of great practice. The usual sighting distance of an arrow is about 60 meters, for a master - up to 120 meters.
Arrowheads were often made hollow so that they would make a whistling sound when flying. This was believed to ward off evil spirits.
In ancient times, there were bows that were pulled not by one person, but by several (bows that were pulled by seven people are known!). These heavy bows were used not only against people, but also in naval battles to destroy enemy boats.
Besides just archery, shooting from a horse (bakujitsu) was an important art.
Age of the Spear
In the 16th century Japan European muskets imported from Portugal became widespread. They reduced the value of kyujitsu to almost zero. At the same time, the importance of the spear (yari) rose. Therefore the period Civil War called the Age of the Spear.
Main tactical method when using a spear, mounted samurai were knocked off their horses. Falling to the ground, such a warrior became practically defenseless. Typically, spears were used by foot soldiers. The length of such a spear was approximately 5 meters, and its possession required considerable physical strength. Various samurai clans used spears of varying lengths and tip configurations.
Age of the Sword
Established in 1603 Tokugawa Shogunate military art as the art of “victory at any cost” is a thing of the past. It has become a self-sufficient art of self-improvement and sports competition. Therefore, the physical strength of spear masters was replaced by sword skills (kenjutsu).
It was during this period that the samurai sword began to be considered the “soul of the samurai.” It is sharpened on one convex side, and the concave side serves as a kind of “shield” during fencing. Special multi-layer forging technologies make the sword amazingly strong and sharp. Its production is very long and labor-intensive, so even a completely new sword always cost a lot of money. An ancient sword created by a great master is worth a fortune. The distribution of swords between sons was always stipulated in a special line in the wills of samurai.
The main types of swords were:
The oldest straight sword.
- a dagger or knife up to 30 cm long.
Wakizashi, Shoto or Kodati- small sword (from 30 to 60 cm).
- a large sword (from 60 cm), worn with the tip down.
or Daito- a large sword worn with the tip up.
or O-dati- an extra-large sword (from 1 m to 1.5-1.8 m), worn behind the back. More common in manga, anime, and video games than in real life.
Bamboo was also used for training swords-sinai(introduced by Ono Takada) and wooden bokken swords(introduced by Miyamoto Musashi). The latter were also used independently as weapons for combat with an “unworthy” enemy, for example, a robber.
Men of the lower classes had the right to carry only small swords or daggers - for self-defense from bandits. Samurai had the right to carry two swords - large and small. They fencing, however, only with a large sword, although there were also schools of fencing with both swords at once. It was believed that a master was determined by his ability to deal with an enemy with the least number of sword swings. “Aerobatics” was considered the ability to kill by simply drawing a sword from its sheath - in one movement (the art of iaijutsu). Such fights lasted literally a split second.
Less significant types of samurai weapons
Auxiliary and secondary weapons included, in particular:
Bo- battle pole. Currently used as a sporting weapon. There are many options of different lengths (from 30 cm to 3 m) and sections (from round to hexagonal).
- a weapon in the form of a two-pronged iron “fork”. Used by the Tokugawa era police to capture the sword of a rampaging (usually drunk) samurai, and also as a war club.
- “dagger of mercy”, a type of stiletto that was used to finish off the wounded.
- women's combat knife. It was used by girls from noble families as a weapon for suicide during an attempt on their honor.
- combat knife. Often used as a household item.
- Japanese halberd. A pole with a flat blade attached to it. Initially used by infantrymen to damage the legs of enemy horses. In the 17th century, it began to be considered a defensive weapon for girls from samurai families. The usual length of a naginata is about 2 m.
Tessen) - battle fan. Fan with steel spokes. Weapons of military leaders. It was used for its intended purpose and also as a small shield. Sometimes the knitting needles were sharpened, and then such a fan could be used as a battle ax.
Firearms - they became most widespread during the Civil War. It's about about single-shot arquebus rifles, which were usually used by light infantrymen (ashigaru).
After the establishment of the Tokugawa shogunate, firearms quickly fell out of use as “unworthy of a true warrior.”
Any story about historical edged weapons would be incomplete without a story about medieval Japanese swords. For many centuries, this unique weapon faithfully served its owners - the fierce samurai warriors. In recent decades, the katana sword seems to be experiencing a rebirth; interest in it is enormous. The Japanese sword has already become an element popular culture, the katana is “loved” by Hollywood directors, creators of anime and computer games.
It was believed that the spirits of all its previous owners lived in the sword, and the samurai was just the guardian of the blade, and he was obliged to pass it on to future generations. The samurai's will always included a clause in which his swords were distributed among his sons. If a good sword had an unworthy or inept owner, then in this case they said: “The sword is crying.”
The history of these weapons, the secrets of their manufacture and the fencing techniques used by medieval Japanese warriors are of no less interest today. However, before moving on to our story, a few words should be said about the very definition of a samurai sword and its classification.
Katana is a long Japanese sword, with a blade length from 61 to 73 cm, with a slight bend in the blade and one-sided sharpening. There are other types of Japanese swords, mainly they differ in their dimensions and purpose. Moreover, the word “katana” in modern Japanese means any sword. If we talk about the European classification of edged weapons, then the katana is not a sword at all, it is a typical saber with a one-sided sharpening and a curved blade. The shape of the Japanese sword is very similar to a checker. However, in the tradition of the Land of the Rising Sun, a sword is any type (well, almost any) of a bladed weapon that has a blade. Even a naginata, similar to a European medieval glaive, with a two-meter handle and a blade at the end, is still called a sword in Japan.
It is much easier for historians to study the Japanese sword than European or Middle Eastern historical edged weapons. And there are several reasons:
- The Japanese sword has been used in the relatively recent past. The katana (this weapon had a special name gun-to) was widely used during the Second World War;
- Unlike Europe, a large number of ancient Japanese swords have survived to this day. Weapons that are several centuries old are often in excellent condition;
- The production of swords using traditional medieval technologies continues in Japan today. Today, about 300 blacksmiths are engaged in the manufacture of these weapons, all of them have special state licenses;
- The Japanese have carefully preserved the basic techniques of sword fighting.
Story
The Iron Age began relatively late in Japan; only by the 7th century did Japanese blacksmiths master the technology of making weapons from multilayer steel. Until this point, iron swords were imported into the country from China and Korea. The most ancient Japanese swords were most often straight and had a double-edged sharpening.
Heian period (IX-XII centuries). During this period, the Japanese sword received its traditional curve. At this time, central state power weakened, and the country plunged into a series of endless internecine wars and entered a long period of self-isolation. A caste of samurai - professional warriors - began to form. At the same time, the skill of Japanese gunsmiths increased significantly.
Most of the fights took place on horseback, so the long saber gradually took the place of the straight sword. Initially it had a bend near the handle, later it shifted to an area 1/3 from the end of the tang. It was during the Heian period that the appearance of the Japanese sword was finally formed, and the technology for its manufacture was developed.
Kamakura period (XII-XIV centuries). The significant improvement in armor that occurred during this period led to changes in the shape of the sword. They were aimed at increasing the striking power of weapons. Its top became more massive, the mass of blades increased. It became much more difficult to fencing with such a sword with one hand, so they were mainly used in foot fights. This historical period Considered the “golden age” for the traditional Japanese sword, many blade manufacturing technologies were later lost. Today blacksmiths are trying to restore them.
Muromachi period (XIV-XVI centuries). During this historical period, very long swords began to appear, the dimensions of some of them exceeding two meters. Such giants are the exception rather than the rule, but The general trend was on the face. A long period of constant wars required a large number of edged weapons, often at the expense of a decrease in their quality. In addition, the general impoverishment of the population led to the fact that few people could afford a truly high-quality and expensive sword. At this time, Tatar furnaces became widespread, which made it possible to increase the total amount of steel produced. The tactics of fights are changing; now it is important for a fighter to get ahead of his opponent in delivering the first blow, which is why katana swords are becoming more and more popular. Towards the end of this period, the first firearms appeared in Japan, which changed the tactics of battles.
Momoyama period (XVI century). During this period, the Japanese sword became shorter, and a pair of daishos came into use, which later became classic: the long katana sword and the short wakizashi sword.
All the periods described above belong to the so-called Age of Old Swords. At the beginning of the 17th century, the Age of New Swords (Shinto) began. At this time, many years of civil strife ceased in Japan, and peace reigned. Therefore, the sword somewhat loses its combat significance. The Japanese sword becomes an element of costume, a symbol of status. Weapons begin to be richly decorated, much more attention is paid to them appearance. However, this reduces his fighting qualities.
After 1868, the Age of Modern Swords begins. Weapons forged after this year are called gendai-to. In 1876, the wearing of swords was prohibited. This decision dealt a serious blow to the samurai warrior caste. A large number of blacksmiths who made blades lost their jobs or were forced to retrain. Only at the beginning of the last century a campaign for a return to traditional values began.
The highest part for a samurai was to die in battle with a sword in his hands. In 1943, the plane carrying Japanese Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto (the same one who led the attack on Pearl Harbor) was shot down. When the charred body of the admiral was taken out from under the wreckage of the plane, they found a katana in the hands of the dead man, with which he met his death.
At the same time, swords began to be made for the armed forces industrially. And although they outwardly resembled a samurai combat sword, these weapons no longer had any relation to traditional blades made in more modern times. early periods.
After the final defeat of the Japanese in World War II, the victors issued an order to destroy all traditional Japanese swords, but thanks to the intervention of historians, this was soon canceled. The production of swords using traditional technologies was resumed in 1954. A special organization “Society for the Preservation of Artistic Japanese Swords” was created, its main task was to preserve the traditions of making katanas, as part of cultural heritage Japanese nation. Currently, there is a multi-stage system for assessing the historical and cultural value of Japanese swords.
Japanese classification of swords
What other swords, besides the famous katana, exist (or existed in the past) in Japan. The classification of swords is quite complex; in the Land of the Rising Sun it refers to scientific disciplines. What will be described below is just short review, which gives only a general idea of the issue. Currently, the following types of Japanese swords are distinguished:
- Katana. The most famous type of Japanese sword. It has a blade length of 61 to 73 cm, with a rather wide and thick curved blade. Outwardly, it is very similar to another Japanese sword - tachi, but differs from it in the smaller bend of the blade, the way it is worn, and also (but not always) in length. The katana was not just a weapon, but also an invariable attribute of the samurai, part of his costume. The warrior simply did not leave home without this sword. The katana could be worn in a belt or on special ties. It was stored on a special horizontal stand, which was placed at the warrior’s head at night;
- Tati. This is a Japanese long sword. It has more bend than a katana. The length of the tati blade starts from 70 cm. In the past, this sword was usually used for mounted combat and during parades. Stored on a vertical stand with the handle down in peacetime and with the handle up during war. Sometimes one more of this type of Japanese sword stands out - O-dachi. These blades were significant in size (up to 2.25 m);
- Wakizashi. A short sword (blade 30-60 cm), which together with the katana forms the standard weapon of a samurai. The wakizashi could be used for fighting in tight spaces, and was also used in conjunction with a longsword in some fencing techniques. These weapons could be carried not only by samurai, but also by representatives of other classes;
- Tanto. A dagger or knife with a blade up to 30 cm long. Used for cutting off heads, as well as for committing hara-kiri, and for other, more peaceful purposes;
- Tsurugi. A double-edged straight sword that was used in Japan until the 10th century. This name is often given to any ancient swords;
- Ninja or shinobi-gatana. This is the sword that was used by the famous Japanese medieval spies - ninjas. In appearance, it was practically no different from a katana, but it was shorter. The sheath of this sword was thicker; the elusive shinobi hid a whole arsenal of spies in them. By the way, ninjas were not worn on the back, because it was extremely inconvenient. The exception was when a warrior needed his hands free, for example, if he decided to climb a wall;
- Naginata. This is a type of bladed weapon, which was a slightly curved blade mounted on a long wooden shaft. It resembled a medieval glaive, but the Japanese also classify naginata as a sword. Naginata fighting continues to this day;
- Gong something. Army sword of the last century. These weapons were manufactured industrially and sent in huge quantities to the army and navy;
- Bokken. Wooden training sword. The Japanese treat it with no less respect than a real military weapon.
Making a Japanese sword
There are legends about the hardness and sharpness of Japanese swords, as well as about the blacksmithing art of the Land of the Rising Sun itself.
Master gunsmiths occupied a high place in the social hierarchy of medieval Japan. Making a sword was considered a spiritual, almost mystical act, so they prepared for it accordingly.
Before starting the process, the master spent a lot of time in meditation, he prayed and fasted. Often, blacksmiths wore the robes of a Shinto priest or a court ceremonial costume while working. Before the forging process began, the forge was thoroughly cleaned, and amulets were hung at its entrance, designed to scare away evil spirits and attract good ones. While working, the forge became a sacred place; only the blacksmith himself and his assistant could enter it. During this period, family members (except women) were prohibited from entering the workshop, while women were not allowed to enter the forge at all, for fear of their evil eye.
When making a sword, the blacksmith ate food cooked on a sacred fire, and there was a strict taboo on animal food, strong drinks, and sexual contacts.
The Japanese obtained metal for the manufacture of edged weapons in Tatar furnaces, which can be called a local version of an ordinary domnitsa.
Blades are usually made of two main parts: a shell and a core. To make the sword's shell, a package of iron and high-carbon steel is welded together. It is folded and forged many times. The main task of the blacksmith at this stage is to achieve homogenization of the steel and clean it of impurities.
For the core of a Japanese sword, mild steel is used, and it is also forged many times.
As a result, to make a sword blank, the master receives two bars, made of durable high-carbon and soft steel. When making a katana from solid steel, a profile is formed in the shape Latin letter V, into which a block of mild steel is inserted. It is somewhat shorter than the overall length of the sword and does not reach the tip a little. There is also a more complex technology for making a katana, it consists in forming a blade from four bars of steel: the tip and cutting edges of the weapon are made from the hardest steel, a slightly less hard metal is used on the sides, and the core is made of soft iron. Sometimes the butt of a Japanese sword is made from a separate piece of metal. After welding the parts of the blade, the master shapes its cutting edges, as well as the tip.
However, the “main feature” of Japanese swordsmiths is considered to be sword hardening. It is the special heat treatment technique that gives the katana its incomparable properties. It differs significantly from similar technologies that were used by blacksmiths in Europe. It should be admitted that in this matter, Japanese masters have advanced much further than their European colleagues.
Before hardening, a Japanese blade is coated with a special paste made from clay, ash, sand, and stone dust. The exact composition of the paste was kept strictly secret and passed down from father to son. An important nuance is that the paste is applied to the blade unevenly: a thin layer of the substance was applied to the blade and tip, and a much thicker one was applied to the side edges and butt. After this, the blade was heated to a certain temperature and hardened in water. Areas of the blade covered with a thicker layer of paste cooled more slowly and became softer, and the cutting surfaces obtained the greatest hardness with such hardening.
If everything is done correctly, then a clear boundary appears on the blade between the hardened area of the blade and the rest. It's called jamon. Another indicator of the quality of the blacksmith’s work was the whitish tint of the blade’s butt, it is called utsubi.
Further refinement of the blade (polishing and grinding) is usually carried out by a special master, whose work is also highly valued. In general, more than ten people can make and decorate a blade; the process is very specialized.
After this, the sword must pass tests; in ancient times, specially trained people did this. Tests were carried out on rolled up mats and sometimes on corpses. It was especially honorable to test the new sword on a living person: a criminal or a prisoner of war.
Only after testing the blacksmith stamps his name on the tang, and the sword is considered ready. Work on mounting the handle and guard is considered auxiliary. The katana handle was usually covered with stingray skin and wrapped with a silk or leather cord.
The fighting qualities of Japanese swords and their comparison with European swords
Today the katana can be called the most popular sword in the world. It is difficult to name another type of bladed weapon around which there are so many myths and outright fairy tales. The Japanese sword is called the pinnacle of blacksmithing in the history of mankind. However, one can argue with such a statement.
Research carried out by specialists using the latest methods, showed that European swords (including ancient period) were not much inferior to their Japanese counterparts. The steel that European blacksmiths used to make weapons turned out to be no worse refined than the material of Japanese blades. They were welded from many layers of steel and had selective hardening. When studying European blades, modern Japanese masters were involved, and they confirmed high quality medieval weapons.
The problem is that very few examples of European bladed weapons have survived to our time. Those swords that are discovered during archaeological excavations are usually in poor condition. There are particularly revered European swords that have survived centuries and are today in museums in good condition. But there are very few of them. In Japan, due to the special attitude towards edged weapons, it has survived to our time great amount ancient swords, and the condition of most of them can be called ideal.
A few words should be said about the strength and cutting characteristics of Japanese swords. Without a doubt, the traditional katana is an excellent weapon, the quintessence of the centuries-old experience of Japanese gunsmiths and warriors, but it is still not capable of cutting “iron like paper.” Scenes from films, games and anime, where the Japanese sword is without special effort cutting stones, plate armor or other metal objects should be left to the writers and directors. Such abilities lie beyond the capabilities of steel and contradict the laws of physics.
If you have any questions, leave them in the comments below the article. We or our visitors will be happy to answer them
There are many legends about Japanese swords, often unjustified. Probably a lot of people, when asked what the name of a Japanese sword is, will answer - Katana. This is partly correct, but only partly. Classifying Japanese swords is not an easy task. The simplest classification, in my opinion, is by length.
It is known that the samurai carried two swords - long and short. This pair was called Daisho(lit. “greater and lesser”) and consisted of Daito (“greater sword”), we will call it Katana, which was the main weapon of the samurai, and Seto (“lesser sword”), in the future Wakazashi, which served as a spare or additional weapon, used in close combat, for cutting off heads or hara-kiri, if the samurai did not have a Kusungobu or Tanto dagger specially designed for this. If only samurai and aristocrats were allowed to wear the large Katana sword, then artisans and merchants had the right to wear Wakazashi.
Kusungobu - melee dagger
So the long sword was called Daito (Katana)— 95-120 cm, short — Seto (Wakazashi)- 50-70 cm. The handle of a Katana is usually designed for 3.5 fists, Wakazashi - for 1.5. The blade width of both swords is about 3 cm, the thickness of the back is 5 mm, while the blade has a razor sharpness. The handle is usually covered with shark skin or wrapped in such a way that the handle does not slip in the hands. Katana weight is about 4 kg. The guard of both swords was small, only slightly covering the hand, and had a round, petal or multifaceted shape. It was called "tsuba".
Katana and other Japanese swords were stored on a special stand - Katanakake.
Katana has several varieties, one of them is Ko-katana (kokatana) - a variant of a short katana, included together with a katana in a regular samurai set of edged weapons. The handle of the kokatana is straight without a bow, the blade is slightly curved. The specimen described in the domestic literature has a length of 690 mm and a blade length of 520 mm.
Kokatana is a type of katana
The katana was attached to the belt or behind the back. Tied with a special Sageo cord, this cord could also be used to bind the enemy. To carry a katana behind the back, a special sheath was used (Watarimaki is the part of the sheath of a Japanese bladed weapon that touches the back when worn). The sheath has a coupling - a ring that covers the sheath, with the help of which it is attached to a sword belt or belt.
Katana is the most modern and advanced type of Japanese edged weapon; its production has been improved over the centuries; the predecessors of the katana were:
Tati - a sword common in Japan from the 10th to the 17th centuries, equal in length to the Katana. Although Katana swords also have a decent amount of blade curvature, it is generally less curvature than Tati's. Their external decoration also differs. It is much simpler and stricter than Tati’s. Has a round tsuba. The tachi was usually carried with the blade facing down in tandem with a koshigatana.
Tanto - small samurai sword.
Kozuka - Japanese combat knife used as a bladed or throwing weapon. IN Everyday life served as a household knife.
Ta-chi - a single-edged sword of slight curvature, worn behind the back. Total length 710 mm.
In addition to Daise, a samurai could also wear Nodachi - "field sword" with a blade more than a meter long and a total length of about 1.5 m, sometimes its length reached three meters! Several samurai wielded such a sword at once, and its only use was to defeat mounted troops.
Nodachi
Katana is the strongest sword in the world
The technology for producing a katana is very complex - special processing of steel, multi-layer (multiple) forging, hardening, etc. Katanas are the strongest swords in the world, they are capable of cutting materials of almost any hardness, be it meat, bones, iron. Masters skilled in the art of fighting with a katana in a battle with a warrior armed with an ordinary European sword could cut this sword into two parts, the force of a samurai’s blow and the steel of a katana allowed this to be done (Monuchi is the part of the blade blade of a Japanese bladed weapon, which accounts for the main force blow).
The katana could be used to stab and chop equally easily. The long handle allows you to actively maneuver the sword. In this case, the main grip is the position when the end of the handle rests in the middle of the palm, and the right hand holds it near the guard. The simultaneous movement of both hands allows you to describe a wide amplitude with the sword without much effort. Both the Katana and the straight European sword of a knight weigh a lot, but the principles for performing cutting blows are completely different. Most of the blows are delivered in the vertical plane. There is almost no division into “block-strike” accepted in Europe. There are knocking blows to the enemy's hands or weapons, throwing his weapon away from the line of attack and making it possible to deal a damaging blow to the enemy at the next step.
Weaknesses of the katana
Speaking about the features of the manufacturing technology of a samurai sword, it is worth noting the weaknesses of this process, namely, while gaining greater hardness and power along the axis of the blade, this type of sword is more vulnerable if hit on its flat side. With such a blow you can break the Katana even with a short mace (or Okinawan nunchucks, which were specially used to break samurai swords). And if a European sword usually breaks at a distance of a palm or two fingers from the guard, then a Japanese sword breaks at a distance of 1/3 or 1/2 of the length of the blade from the guard.
Yes, those stories are also true when metal was cut with a Katana. It's possible! It is documented that when a master is hit with such a blade, the speed of the tip of the sword (Kisaki) exceeded the speed of sound. And if you take into account the fact that Katana swords are among the most durable in the world, then the conclusion suggests itself.
Tati - a sword equal in length to a Katana
Japanese long sword tachi. The wavy hamon pattern on the blade is clearly visible.
The most ancient handmade katana (katana sheaths were also handmade and decorated with ornaments) are most valued and passed down from generation to generation as a family heirloom. Such katana are very expensive, especially if you can see Mei on it - a mark with the name of the master and the year of manufacture on the shank of a Japanese bladed weapon - of any famous master.
Many master gunsmiths from different countries they tried to copy the katana, as a result of which they got such famous swords as: Three - a Tibetan sword copying a samurai; Taijinjian (Chinese sword of the great limit) is a type of jian; Korean sword, Japanese name katana in the 7th-13th centuries; etc. But real katana can only be found in Japan, and if a katana is not made in Japan, it is no longer a katana!
Components of a katana:
- Decoration adjacent to the tsuba, a ring that strengthens the handle (coupling) - Fuchi,
- Cord - Ito,
- Blade - Kami,
- The upper ring (head) of the handle is Kashira,
- Entrance to the scabbard - Koiguchi,
- The tip of the scabbard is Kojiri,
- Tie loop - Kurikata,
- Bamboo wedge for fixing the blade in the handle - Mekugi,
- Decoration on the handle under (or above) the braid - Menuki,
- Shank - Nakago,
- Ties - Sageo,
- Stingray leather on the handle - Same,
- Scabbard - Saya,
- Gasket between guard and ring (washer) - Seppa,
- Hammer for disassembling a sword - Tetsu,
- Blade - Tosin,
- Garda - Tsuba,
- Handle - Tsuka,
- Braid - Tsukamaki,
- Clutch for fixing the sword in the sheath - Habaki.
Japanese short sword wakizashi. Blade and sword in sheath.
Wakizashi is a short traditional Japanese sword.
Mainly used by samurai and worn on the belt. Blade length - from 30 cm to 61 cm. Total length 50-80 cm. Wakizashi is similar in shape to a katana. It was worn in tandem with a katana, also tucked into the belt with the blade facing up.
In a pair of daisho (the two main samurai swords: long and short), the wakizashi was used as a short sword (shoto).
Samurai used the wakizashi as a weapon when the katana was unavailable or unusable. In the early periods of Japanese history, the small tanto sword was worn instead of the wakizashi. And also when a samurai put on armor, instead of a katana and wakizashi, tachi and tanto were usually used. Upon entering the room, the warrior left the katana with the servant or on the katanakake. The wakizashi was always carried with him and was removed only if the samurai remained for a long period of time. The Bushi often called this sword "the guardian of their honor." Some fencing schools taught the use of both katana and wakizashi at the same time.
Unlike the katana, which could only be worn by samurai, wakizashi was allowed to merchants and artisans. They used this sword as a full-fledged weapon, because according to their status they did not have the right to carry a katana.
A more correct classification: It is somewhat conditionally possible to classify weapons according to the length of the blade. "Tanto" must have a blade no shorter than 30 cm and no longer than 40 cm, "wakizashi" - from 41 to 60 cm, "katana" - from 61 to 75 cm, "tachi" - from 75 to 90 cm. "Odachi" from 3 shaku 90.9 cm. The largest odachi that has survived to this day has a length of 3 m 77 cm.
