Samurai Sword
Reproduction
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Object number17479
TitleSamurai Sword
Creator Minamoto Yoshitaka, (maker)
DescriptionWe think that the blade of this splendid samurai sword dates from as far back as the 13th century! It appears to have been shortened to make this wakizashi at later date. The blade was considered the most important part of a sword and so it was common to reuse treasured family heirlooms in a new weapon.
This sword is inscribed ‘Minamoto Yoshitaka(no) Gu Kore’ - the equipment of Minamoto Yoshitaka. Could this be the samurai who wielded this curved, single-edged blade all those centuries ago? It also has a secret: the beautifully decorated panel just under the handguard is in fact the handle of a small knife, known as a kozuka.
The samurai were an elite military class of soldiers, scholars and officials. They served feudal lords (daimyo) from whose ranks rose the military leaders, known as Shoguns. These Shoguns largely ruled Japan from around 1192 till 1868.
Samurai means ‘those who serve’ - they dedicated their whole life to serving their master and were loyal until death. They followed a code of conduct based on honour known as bushido (the way of the warrior). Samurai traditionally carried two swords – in the Edo period (1600-1868) the long katana and shorter wakizashi (like this one) were popular. They made a pair known as a daisho. Widely regarded as the finest edged weapon in world military history, the samurai sword was a mark of elite status.
By the 19th century the role of the samurai had diminished and there was a growing demand for change. The Emperor regained power in the Meiji Restoration of 1868 and began to issue laws to reduce the power and status of the samurai class.
Production placeJapan,
Production period13th Century
Object nameSword & scabbard "wakizashi"
Dimensions
whole Length: 715
Kozuka Handle Length: 184
Kozuka Handle Length: 184