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Japan History, Japanese Weapons
Reasons Why Katana and Samurai are Inseparable
13
Jan
Jan
Katana and Samurai
You have probably seen a lot of movies and Anime surrounding this idea – that the Katana and Samurai are inseparable. You’ve perhaps been awed and wowed by way of the swords and the wielder.
You have probably seen how a lot of action movies set in Japan would always have a scene where the Katana comes out.
With that, let’s talk about the history of swords in Japan first.
Before the Swords Came
In the Japanese history timeline, the swords were already present from the beginning. But more documented accounts show that before the swords were other weapons. And they are preferred by the Japanese soldiers.
In one Chinese trader’s account, there was no mention of swords. His account of the Japanese people was of spears and bows and arrows. As history gather these stories together, it proves to be true.
Japanese were using bows and arrows and were among their favorite weapons. This was because it was useful when riding a horse. Later the use of the spear was practical when fighting from the height of the horse, too.
From all over the world, the rule to protect your sovereignty was present from the very beginning. Thus the history of fighting and wars.
How the Swords Came About
They divided the story of the Japanese sword in four. First, Chokuto or Ancient Sword. Second, Koto or Old Sword. Third, Shinto or New Sword. And lastly, Shin-shinto or Modern Sword.
Chokuto or Ancient Sword
According to myths, a Japanese warrior named Jinmu became the first emperor of Japan. After sailing from Kyushu Islands to Honshu, the main island in Japan, he defeated the tribes in it.
Stories say that he was so powerful that he came with the gods. Over time, emperor after emperor took over reigning Japan.
Around the 9th century or the Common Era, they based sword designs from Chinese swords. The most common was Chokuto, a straight, double-edged sword. It’s a sword that needs the use of two hands to unsheathe.
At this time, wars over reigning or ruling families were so present.
The Beginning of Strong Swords
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During many battles around 700 – 900 EC, the swordsmith Amakuni Yasutsuna noticed one thing. He saw that the soldiers keep coming back with most of their sword blades broken. Stories say that he was the swordsmith of those and that he felt terrible about how the swords easily break.
So he left with his son, looked for spiritual guidance and they came back with the best sword ever made. Using superior ore and better tempering methods, Amakuni created the first Samurai swords.
This was to be the Tachi. A superior sword with a curved shape and single blade. This was when the sword became inseparable from the Samurai. They designed the Tachi for the belts of the Samurai.
Koto or Old Sword
After the creation of Tachi, you are right to think that it got redesigned. With the Samurai now capable of drawing the sword with one hand, it became a desirable weapon to be with at all times.
During the Koto period, Amakuni perfected the sword. He used iron and ore in manufacturing his Samurai swords, the Katana. It was this time the Koto period that they produced the most number of Samurai swords ever created.
Now, no sword was ever closely related to its wielder except the Samurai swords.
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How the Katana and Samurai Became Inseparable
Now it was during this time that the Minamoto clan took over the government in 1192. Nationwide, the Shogunate form of government ruled Japan.
It created the Shogunate led by a Shogun. And under it were feudal lords or Daimyo to which the Samurai served.
This is the start of the Samurai as a military class. This is where they became known as loyal servants to their Daimyo.
Consequently, this is when the Samurai stories of loyalty and Bushido code came about.
Lastly, this is now the time that they trained and became skilled soldiers, where they became protectors of the land and their lord.
To a Samurai the Katana is both a weapon and a symbol of his status. No Samurai would leave his Katana behind, whether on duty or not.
Shinto and How the Katana Came to be
By 1500, the Tachi was outdated, and the form of government in Japan is changing again. A long blade measuring up to four feet started to replace the Tachi. Later a revised version was only two feet long. Now, these were the first Katana. A sword with a single cutting edge yet specially designed to cut and be drawn quickly.
Different sword techniques came to life. Some warriors even began to use two swords together known as Daisho. It was probably a combination of a Katana, a Daito (long samurai sword) or Wakizashi.
Later by 1600, Tokugawa Ieyasu won control of the nation. Tokugawa enforced strict policies and laws to all the classes.
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This now is the Edo period when Japan closed its borders from the outsiders. It became an era of peace. It was this time that the Shogun Tokugawa said: “the sword is the soul of the warrior”.
Many described that the Katana embodies the personality and character of its Samurai. There were stories that the Katana was to be buried with its Samurai.
Others say that only when the sword chooses its next successor should a Katana be passed on.
Other myths are out there saying that the soul of the Samurai lives forever in his sword. However, history has proven that the Katana was a symbol of class and respect. This reason alone would explain why the Samurai has his Katana all the time.
Shin-Shinto and the Modern Sword
As the Western and European influence came to Japan, it now opens its doors again.
Japan’s technology was falling behind what was happening in the world. Ending the Tokugawa dynasty came Emperor Meiji’s time. The Shogunate ended, and the emperor ruling came back.
As a result, the prohibition of the Samurai sword worn by the Daimyo’s soldiers began. The government had to make the Samurai powerless of some sort.
This started the creation of the modern swords. The change of circumstances and the introduction of the western rifles caused the disappearance of swordsmiths.
The quality of the blades during this period didn’t compare from the last ones. They created swords, but they manufactured them by factories. Not only that, but they used them exclusively for fighting. The sense of the soldier being one with his sword has disappeared.
Indeed, in the end, the story of the Katana and Samurai being inseparable is a remarkable part of Japanese history. To this date, it is quoted as the finest edged weapon in the world military history. And we believe so because it was a sword wielded together with the Samurai’s life and soul.