Samurai, Sword, and Armor

What is Samurai?

In the medieval and early modern Japan, Samurai along with Bushi and Buke has been referred to as military nobility. Higher ranked Japanese Court Officials would usually employ Samurai as lower government officials.

Later on, the word Samurai also refers to lower rank official Bushi who has martial arts abilities. Then, Samurai is simply known as the warriors of Japan. As lower ranked government officials at that time, Samurai made up to only 10% of Japan’s population. Later on, they became the ruling class as they gained more military power enabling them to rule nearby areas.

What is a Samurai Sword?

In feudal Japan, the Samurai class would have a special, traditionally made Japanese swords, one in which called Katana. Katana is easy to distinguish as it has a significant feature of a curved, slender, single-edged blade with guard and a long grip. There are several names for the Katana, depending on which length of Katana it is, there are Tanto (short katana), Tachi (long katana), and Kodachi (Shorter than long katana, but longer than short katana, often used by female). Katana is often passed down for generations in Samurai family and only Samurai and Bushi is allowed to use them, hence it is often referred to as the “Spirit of Samurai” and is considered the most important family heirloom. Katana is also considered as the representative spirit of the Samurai.

 

Tenka Goken (天下五剣)

Tenka Goken is the most famous set of 5 swords, also known as “Five Swords Under Heaven”. The five swords are Doujikiri Yasutsuna, Onimaru Kunitsuna, Mikazuki Munechika, Ootenta Mitsuyo, Jyuzumaru Kanetsugu. Two of the Swords can now be seen at the Tokyo National Museum, they are Doujikiri Yasutsuna and Mikazuki Munechika, the other, Onimaru Kunitsuna now owned by the Imperial Family, Ootenta Mitsuyo now is a national treasure owned by the Maeda Ikutokukai in Ishikawa, and Jyuzumaru Kanetsugu is now an important cultural property of Japan owned by Honkouji Temple in Hyogo.

 

Samurai Armor

Touse Gusoku, the most well-known type of Samurai Armor. Gusoku Touse was the most modern armor at that time, while the name itself is broken down to; Gusoku which means armor, and Touse which means recent. Touse Gusoku is custom designed for each individual, which is why there are a wide variety of colors and design of the Touse Gusoku.

 

The Ultimate Hidden Spot : Samurai Sword Museum

The Samurai Sword Museum, located in Tochigi prefecture is a place you should definitely check out. With 200 rare collections of artifacts, 100 swords, and 1600 collections of swords and armors put on exhibit, it shows the beauty of Japanese swords and armors. It is located 20 minutes from Kugeta station on Moka Line, closed on Mondays, it’s open from 09:00 and close at 17:00.

on on Moka Line, closed on Mondays, it’s open from 09:00 and close at 17:00.

Address : 20-9, Oneda, Moka City, Tochigi, Japan.

You can also check these places out if you are interested in Samurai and its history.

Aizu Samurai Residences

Learn of the rich history centering upon the samurai residence of the Saigo family, who supported the Aizu clan at the end of the Edo Era
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Samurai Kembu Theater

Learn performing through the use of the katana on which the once-mighty samurai concentrated their mind upon
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Oshu Samurai Residence Museum

Begin your exploration of a castle town with these formal samurai houses preserved in Oshu
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Samurai Museum

Feel the samurai spirit in TOKYO! A museum with plenty of attractions
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Atsuta Shrine

A shrine founded to enshrine one of the Three Sacred Treasures of Japan, a sword.
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