Passion Nook

Many warlords in medieval Japan employed professional fighters/warriors called samurai and assembled large standing armies. Rulers of the time also built fortifications to protect their towns against attacks.

Ordinary citizens often bore the brunt of the war and were often the major casualties when war broke out. Ordinary citizens were not allowed to have weapons and many resorted to employing their own domestic tools as weapons, a number also became secret warriors (Ninja) and used their own secret weapons.

Medieval weapons used in Japan included:

* Spear

* Bow

* Sword

* Ninja star

Medieval Japanese swords

Archaeological evidence suggests that swords have existed in Japan for its entire history. Short straight swords imported from China and Korea are among the earliest weapons found in historical sites around Japan. After 2000 B.C., the Japanese learned about metal thus began making their own swords. Around 700 A.D., Japanese swordsmiths forged the first of what are now considered the finest swords ever made.

There was a huge demand for swords by leaders and their soldiers. Conflicts over land rights and power were almost constant, and, when not warring among themselves, the early Japanese were invading the Korean peninsula or China, or defending themselves against Korean and Chinese invaders. A leader with a supply of superior weapons was at a great advantage. As a result, swordmakers improved the techniques of making swords. The early long swords in Japan were "straight swords". The handle size of these blades suggests that they were held in one hand. The two-edged blade suggests a thrusting and hacking style of fighting.

Around the 700s, there was a change from straight swords to curved swords. Warriors found that a curved sword could be drawn from the scabbard more quickly and can provide a more effective cutting angle. As a result, swordsmiths developed ways to make a curved blade at least as strong as the earlier straight ones. They were extremely long, nearly four feet. They were generally used by soldiers on horseback. The long, curved blade was ideal for a sweeping draw and slash against enemies on the ground or mounted on horses.

Most soldiers fought battles on foot or fought against one another. In such situations, the long swords were too long to be drawn or wielded comfortably, so a shorter sword was developed. This sword was the katana. Katana are generally between two and four feet in length and, though curved, are less curved than the earlier long swords. They can be drawn from the scabbard into position for a horizontal, diagonal, or vertical cut.

Three Japanese swords:

The Katana

This wasn't just a weapon, but was the soul of samurai. It had a lethal sharpness and a slightly curved blade. The beauty of a katana appears on its blade and edge. Its graceful form and grim beauty have fascinated many warriors.

The Wakizashi

Shorter than the Katana (about 68 cm), this sword was worn indoors by the Samurai, because the Katana was too long to fight in small rooms.

The Tanto

This is a small Japanese knife made from the same steel as the Katana and the Wakizashi. This knife was sometimes worn instead of the Wakizashi.

About the Author:

Mathieu Courchesnes in armor and historical occasions. If you'd like to know more about our products, please visit our collectible samurai sword sets and our wonderful collectible knight swords.

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