Famous Japanese Blades – Legends of Six Real Samurai Swords （2）

were samurais real katana？

Let's delve into the lore surrounding Japan's six most renowned swords today!

The ancient Japanese referred to the highly respected Japanese sword, known as ‘Nihonto’ simply as ‘katana’ Foreigners actually coined the term ‘Japanese sword’ People started to know about these swords during the late Heian and early Kamakura periods because they were seen as valuable things that Japan sold to other countries.

【Chrysanthemum Monogram】

In the late Kamakura period under Emperor Go-Toba's reign, the Imperial Court tasked the Monogram clan, esteemed swordsmiths from Bizen Province, with crafting a real samurai sword. This exquisite tachi, boasting a blade length of 78.48cm, showcases an elongated cutting edge. Adorning its slender frame is the Imperial emblem of a 16-petal chrysanthemum near the blade's base, complemented by intricate carvings of a horizontal line and a single character. Commissioned by Emperor Go-Toba himself, this masterpiece, known as Chrysanthemum Monogram, holds a legacy spanning over seven centuries.

【Sanemune Mitsukane】

'Sanemune Mitsukane' is a renowned Japanese sword, part of the famous Five Swords collection and esteemed as one of the Five Swords Under Heaven. The skilled swordsmith Sanjo Mitsukane crafted it, celebrating its exceptional artistry and cultural importance. The Japanese government has officially recognized this sword as a National Treasure, highlighting its great value.

The blade of this sword is 80 centimeters long, adhering to the standard dimensions of a tachi. It features a pronounced curve near the handguard and gradually tapers in width from the base to the tip. Keeping its strong curve intact highlights its impressive preservation, establishing Sanemune Mitsukane as a top example of Heian period samurai swords.

【Dōjikiri】

Legend has it that during Emperor Go-Shirakawa's rule, the samurai Minamoto no Yorimasa used the authentic samurai sword called Dōjikiri to defeat the man-eating demon Shuten-doji at Mount Oe in Tanba Province. Generations have passed down this story, known as the 'Subjugation of Shuten-doji'.

Passed down through generations, this revered blade transitioned from Ashikaga Yoshiaki to Toyotomi Hideyoshi, and later to Tokugawa Ieyasu. When Tokugawa Ieyasu's daughter, Katsu-hime, married Echizen Matsudaira Tadanaga, the sword became an important part of their family's story, ensuring its place among esteemed samurai swords for generations.