Page 142 - (DK) Smithsinian - Military History: The Definitive Visual Guide to the Objects of Warfare

140 EAST ASIAN SWORDS

WDER 1500–1680 The earliest Chinese swords were straight and double-edged, but single-edged ▲ KATANA BLADE This katana blade has been removed

Tang
swords date at least as far back as the late Han dynasty (206bce–220ce), their blade
shape evolving into a variety of forms. At first, the Japanese imported swords from
from its mountings. It was secured
China, but by 1000ce, they had perfected their own style of the single-edged, curved blade
Date 15th century
into the wooden hilt by the taper
Origin Japan
that did not materially change for the next 1,000 years. Japanese blades were designed
of the tang, and by a bamboo peg,
Weight 22 ⁄4oz (630g)
1
which passed through the hole in
to be removable from the rest of the sword, enabling the same blade to be worn for
the tang and corresponding holes
1
Length 34 ⁄4in (87cm)
generations, becoming an heirloom within a family. The blades were reset in new
in the hilt.
mounts, consisting of the tsuka (hilt or grip), tsuba (hand guard), and saya (scabbard).
AND GUNPO Some swords, particularly short swords and daggers, had pockets in the scabbard for Disk-shaped
a kozuka (a small knife) and a kogai, a skewerlike implement for dressing the hair.
hand guard
This short, single-edged
▶ DAO
sword or dao has a near-straight
Date 17th century
yanmaodao (goose quill) blade.
Origin China
Primarily a cavalry weapon, its
Weight 18 ⁄4oz (520g)
1
single edge was used for cutting
PIKES Length 25in (64cm) and its point for thrusting. Rayskin-covered grip
Gold menuki (ornamentation) under
criss-crossed silk braid to improve grip
Shinogi-ji or the WAKIZASHI
Kogai or tool for area above ridge
dressing the hair
▲ WAKIZASHI The samurai wore the
Date c.1640 wakizashi (short sword) as
an accompaniment to the
Origin Japan
katana. It was also the only
Weight 17oz (480g) sword permitted to be worn
Length 21in (53.4cm) by other social groups.
SCABBARD

Hole for a peg that held
the blade in the hilt

Nakago or tang

Sageo (heavy silk braid)
KATANA BLADE tied the sword into the belt

Tsuba (hand guard)
of iron or soft metal
Tsuka (wooden hilt)
wrapped in rayskin
under silk braid

BLADE IN MOUNT
Koi guchi or the
mouth of the scabbard
Fretted and carved
hand guard
Wooden hilt bound
▲ EDO PERIOD KATANA During the 16th century, samurai began
BLADE AND MOUNT to wear an uchiganata (striking sword) Eyelet for with cord for grip
Date 17th century thrust edge upwards through their (missing) tassel
belt; it was easier to draw than the
Origin Japan earlier slung tachi (long sword). This
3
Weight 2 ⁄4lb (1.3kg) style of sword came to be known as
1
Length 3 ⁄2ft (1.06m) katana, and could be worn only by
the samurai class.