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History
Chokutō
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The chokutō is a straight, single-edged Japanese sword that was mainly produced prior to the 9th century. Its basic style is likely derived from similar swords of ancient China. Chokutō were used on foot for stabbing or slashing and were worn hung from the waist. Until the Heian period such swords were called tachi (大刀), which should not be confused with tachi written as 太刀 referring to curved swords.
Japanese straight swords, 6–7th century, Kofun period, Met Museum
Japanese straight swords, 6–7th century, Kofun period, Met Museum
Tamamaki no Ontachi (玉纏御太刀, top), Sugari no Ontachi (須賀利御太刀, middle), and Kondō zukuri no Ontachi (金銅造御太刀, bottom), newly made for the Sikinen Sengu (
Tamamaki no Ontachi (玉纏御太刀, top), Sugari no Ontachi (須賀利御太刀, middle), and Kondō zukuri no Ontachi (金銅造御太刀, bottom), newly made for the Sikinen Sengu (式年遷宮, rebuilding the shrine) of 1889
Shitennō-ji Shichiseiken [ja], single-edged straight sword, Asuka period
Shitennō-ji Shichiseiken [ja], single-edged straight sword, Asuka period
Hilts of Japanese straight swords, Kofun period, 6–7th century, Met Museum.
Hilts of Japanese straight swords, Kofun period, 6–7th century, Met Museum.
Japanese sword
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A Japanese sword is one of several types of traditionally made swords from Japan. Bronze swords were made as early as the Yayoi period, though most people generally refer to the curved blades made from the Heian period (794–1185) to the present day when speaking of "Japanese swords". There are many types of Japanese swords that differ by size, shape, field of application and method of manufacture. Some of the more commonly known types of Japanese swords are the uchigatana, tachi, ōdachi, wakizashi, and tantō.
Japanese swords. Two tachi with full mountings (middle and bottom right), a sword with a Shirasaya-style tsuka (top right), a wakizashi (top left), an
Japanese swords. Two tachi with full mountings (middle and bottom right), a sword with a Shirasaya-style tsuka (top right), a wakizashi (top left), and various tsuba (bottom left).
A range of Japanese blade types, from left to right: naginata, ken, tantō, katana (uchigatana) and tachi (not to scale).
A range of Japanese blade types, from left to right: naginata, ken, tantō, katana (uchigatana) and tachi (not to scale).
Tachi. The blade was made by Masatsune. Blade, 12th century; mounting, 18th century. Tokyo National Museum
Tachi. The blade was made by Masatsune. Blade, 12th century; mounting, 18th century. Tokyo National Museum
A katana forged by Hizen Tadayoshi I. (Saijo Ō Wazamono) Azuchi–Momoyama period. (top) Katana mounting, Late Edo period. (bottom)
A katana forged by Hizen Tadayoshi I. (Saijo Ō Wazamono) Azuchi–Momoyama period. (top) Katana mounting, Late Edo period. (bottom)