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Jomon people produced stone swords for hunting, fighting, and religious rituals. The swords, though nicely shaped, had blunt edges that made it impossible to cut flash. These swords were used mostly for stabbing or striking. |
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Bronze swords were imported from China and replaced stone swords. They were used for fighting and hunting. High quality decorated bronze swords were status markers for the aristocracy. Due to the relative softness of bronze, these swords were not sturdy, and could not be properly sharpened. The high rate of corrosion did not allow for good preservation. The only clue to what warriors looked like before the Asuka period comes from surviving haniwa such as the one below.
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After first importing swords from China, the Japanese learned to cast iron and began producing iron swords in Japan. The first swords followed Chinese design. They were straight, double edged swords of low quality. By the sixth century the Japanese were producing high quality, straight, single edge iron swords (see pic on the right). These swords, when made for the aristocracy, were sometimes decorated with carved inscriptions or symbols. The sheath (saya) was also very decorative (see pic on the right for swords worn by prince Shotoku and his two attendants). |
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Curved swords were first produced in he late tenth century. They were designed to accomodate mounted warfare, and to better cut through Japanese armor. These swords were used as an auxilary weapon for the bow and naginata. The swords were usualy wielded with one hand. The blade itself was rather narrow and relatively fragile. stories of swords cutting through iron helmets are highly exaggerated. It is more likely that these swords were more commonly used to cut off the enemy's head (for claiming rewards later) after he was already dead. |
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Kamakura swords were similar to those made in the late Heian period. However, the quality of Kamakura swords was higher, while the blade was sturdier. The use of swords in the Kamakura period was much similar to that of the Heian period. It was not until the last decades of the Kamakura period and Nanbokucho period (ca. 14 century) that swords became more commonly used on the battlefield, and the quality of swords reached its highest level. |
Stone
sword.
Bronze
swords.
Straight
iron sword. Asuka period (ca. 5-7 
centuries
c.e.).
Curved
iron swords. Heian period (ca. 8-12 centuries).
Curved
iron swords. Kamakura period (ca. 12-14 centuries).