5. Excellent Swords in Japan

In Japan, there are some excellent warriors and swords and spears. This time we will take up about some excellent swords and spears. In this case, the word “excellent” means several meanings: as a weapon, as an art object, as a historical material, as sacred treasures supposed to have been handed down from the gods. So we will introduce four Japanese swords.

First, 布都御魂剣(Hutsu-no-Mitama-no-Tsurugi). This sword is often called 平国剣(Kotomuke-no-tsurugi). The origin of the name is when once swing the sword, the whole country becomes peaceful. There are some swords of the same name. In this context, it is the sword which dedicated to 鹿島神宮(Kashima Shrine). We assumed that this sword made in Nara age. This sword is precious historical material in which the high level of technical capabilities of those days is shown. The total length of the sword is two 271 centimeters, and the length of the blade is 223.5 centimeters. Also the sword has no curve. Now, this sword keep carefully in 鹿島神宮(Kashima Shrine).

布都御魂剣(Hutsu- no-Mitama-no-tsurugi)

Second, 天叢雲剣(Ame-no-Murakumo-no-Tsurugi). This sword is also often called 草薙の剣(Kusanagi-no-tsurugi). It is one of three Imperial Regalia of Japan, and the sword is the symbol of the military power which the Emperor has. According to the 古事記(Kojiki): the oldest history book in Japan, when the god 須佐之男命(Susanoo) kill Yamata-no-orochi: an eight-headed serpent, the edge of his sword has been missing but he discovered a great sword inside the body of the serpent which he called Ame-no-Murakumo-no-Tsurugi (Sword of the Gathering Clouds of Haven) because on the serpent’s head, clouds always covered. Now it is kept severely in 熱田神宮(Atsuta Shrine) as a object of worship. So we cannot know about the shape at all. 布都御魂剣(Hutsu-no-Mitama-no-Tsurugi) and 天叢雲剣(Ame-no-Murakumo-no-Tsurugu) is classified as霊剣(Reiken): the sword which god was once use it and they gave humans this sword.

Third, 童子切安綱(Doujikiriyasutsuna). 安綱(Yasutsuna) made this sword in Heian age. The origin of the name: 童子切 is the legend. This sword cut off the monster: 酒呑童子(Syutendouji)’s head. The length of the blade is 二尺六寸五分(about 80.3 centimeters). Today, Tokyo National Museum possesses this sword.

童子切安綱 (Doujikiriyasutsuna)

Finally, 大包平(Ookanehira). 包平(Kanehira) made this sword in Heian age. The length of the blade is 89.2 centimeters. This sword ranks with 童子切安綱(Doujikiriyasutsuna) as a crowning work in all the existing Japanese sword.

大包平 (Ookanehira)

 A list of reference:  日本刀ハンドブック(Japanese sword handbook)    杉浦良幸(written by Yoshiyuki Sugiura)

                                 名刀と日本人(A celebrated sword and a Japanese)    渡邉妙子(written by Taeko Watanabe)