Archive for November, 2008
Nihonto or commonly known Japanese sword is a traditionally bladed weapon. What generally differentiates the different swords is their length. All shorter swords are considered a tanto or Japanese knife or dagger. The Tanto dagger is just one of the wide ranges of Japanese swords upon looking at a samurai weapon collection. Do you know that Tanto played a big part in a deadly ritual in samurai history? The Tanto is a short Japanese sword with a traditional length of 11.93 inches or approximately 30 centimeters. Its blade is normally 5 inches to 12 inches long. This samurai weapon was a curved blade with singe edged sharpness. The Tanto was the suitable samurai weapon used in a deadly ritual called Seppuku or Hara-Kiri. Read on to find out the ritual use of Tanto.
The most popular form of Seppuku is also called hara-kiri. Samurai would use seppuku while ordinary Japanese, during feudal time in Japan, would use hara-kiri. Seppuku is a ritual form of committing suicide in the past Japanese society. The concept and reasoning of this fatal and barbaric act is supported by Japanese belief that an honorable death is more desirable than to lead a life in shame and defeat.
The Ritual of Seppuku
Seppuku was considered as a privilege for a samurai and his nobility. In feudal Japan, history is full of defeated samurais whose who were ordered by their conquerors to commit suicide. Seppuku in this situation is considered as a grace where the samurai obtains a regain of his honor. Seppuku is carried out by disembowelment or stomach cutting and removal of some or all of the vital organs found in the abdomen of a samurai. Seppuku is usually performed as a public ritual if circumstance allow. A samurai was bathed and dressed in white robes, ate his favorite meal and after he’s done eating, the Tanto was placed on the same plate. The samurai dressed ceremonially sometimes seated on special cloths, prepares for his death by writing a death poem. Standing beside him is his selected attendant (kaishakunin), the samurai would open his kimono, take up his Tantō or Japanese knife and plunge it into his abdomen and make a left to right cut. The kaishakunin then performs dakukubi or a cut in which the warrior was all but intentionally decapitated or having his head cut off. Such task should be carried out with precision requiring the kaishakunin often to be a skilled swordsman. It is usually agreed in advance that the kaishakunin swiftly do the decapitation as soon as the dagger was plunged deep into the abdomen.
Seppuku as capital punishment
The voluntary seppuku as described above is the best known type. The most common form, however, was obligatory seppuku used as a form of capital punishment for disgraced samurai. The disgraced samurai are those who committed a serious offense such as robbery, corruption, unprovoked murder or treason. The samurai were generally informed of their offense in full and were given a set deadline or time to commit seppuku, usually before sunset on a given day. Unlike voluntary seppuku, seppuku s capital punishment doesn’t mean the victim’s family is cleared from the gravity of the crime. Based on the severity of such crime, half or all of the deceased property could be confiscated and the family stripped of rank.
In the eyes and judgment of a samurai, Seppuku was an acknowledged display of their courage, loyalty, moral character and honor. It doesn’t matter regardless whether ordered as punishment or chosen in preference to a dishonorable death at the hands of the enemy, Despite the official abolishment of Seppuku in 1873, there are isolated suicide cases committed by some Japanese for failed businesses, involvement in love triangles or even failing school examinations. Death is still regarded by many as a better end than dishonor and disgrace.
Technorati Tags: death ritual, disgraced Japanese warrior, dishonor samurai, Japan, Japanese knife dagger, Japanese short sword, samurai history, seppuku, suicide, tanto
November 20 2008 | antique swords | No Comments »
Sword collecting is one of the exciting ways to rediscover world history and enrich your particular interest in antique swords. When you finally decide to start a sword collecting hobby, know these tips on how to start your new found hobby.
What and Where to buy
Collectible swords are products from all different eras of history and countries in the world. Its purposes included cavalry, fighting, ceremonial, infantry and executioner. Ponder well and engage in some historical research and learn what type of sword you plan to acquire. Check local and international laws on possession and importing swords before attempting to do so. You can search the Internet, browse collector’s and sword magazines, interview collectors and historians for additional information on types, prices, availability of swords. After you selected the type of sword you want to collect, decide where to purchase it. You have several options to choose from. You can buy on eBay, websites that specialize in selling swords to the public or consider canvassing the offers of private dealers, specialized shops which deals with antiques or visit your nearby “flea market” in your area where items are much more affordable. Use caution when purchasing swords online. Double check its reference and review all the feedback about the collectible sword. It won’t hurt if you email the seller to ask concerns about the product.
Cost
Collecting antique swords doesn’t come cheap just like collecting rare paintings or memorabilia.. You have to give consideration on how much money you can spare to fund your new hobby. Know how much you can spend for a certain sword but be careful not to splurge or spend beyond your means. Don’t be frustrated when you can’t get a sword due to financial limitations since establishing the size of your collection is meant to be built over time. Check and discuss with your insurance agent about the cost of protecting your investment in your collection of swords. Valuable collectibles may not be covered by your standard home owner’s policy in times of theft, natural disasters and other unfavorable incidents.
Handling and Maintenance
Your antique sword is intended as a collection and not as a weapon. Decide carefully where you want to put your swords as display in your home. Make sure everyone who comes into your house are aware not to handle your swords without permission from you. Monitor children that they should be kept away from potentially dangerous objects. Plan where to securely stack away your sword. You may need to put it in a special case up high on a wall to avoid unnecessary handling. The wise thing you can do for your sword collection is to store it in a display case where you can control the temperature and humidity. Your collectible swords will be preserved in good condition when mounted on a wall where you live in an area with high humidity. Always ensure your swords are rust-free by keeping it moisture-free. Don’t let anyone touch the blades since the oil on people’s hands can eat away the metal. Wipe it down afterwards in times your sword has to be handled. Avoid cleaning it with rough materials in the likes of sandpaper. You can prevent rust formation by wiping your sword blades on a regular basis with clear non-organic oil while giving it an attractive sheen. Try to find a special stand for swords so you can place them accurately in one row.
Authentic antique swords can cost a big sum of money which requires care and high maintenance to preserve its value and attractiveness. A sound knowledge of what you want your sword collection and what items are available will also help protect you from falling prey to scams that unfortunately make their way around the internet. Sword collecting is not common interest that you should engage into without proper hesitation.
Technorati Tags: antique swords, collectible swords, sword collecting
November 10 2008 | antique swords | No Comments »
If you’re planning to add a new item to your sword collection, katana makes an impressive addition to your array of collectible swords. Long before katana or “samurai sword” gained instant fame in modern epic cinema in films such as Kill Bill and The Last Samurai, samurai swords have long stand as a symbol of Japan and it rich history.
Katana is perhaps the most well-known of Japanese swords with its curved and one sided blade. This longest samurai sword over 24 inches is most preferred for use in outdoor combat. Its quality of having blade on side enables Japanese samurai to launch surprise attacks on their enemy by wearing it from the belt with the cutting edge facing upwards perfected during the 10th century.
Beware of many sites and stores offering cheap katana swords and discount samurai words. They may not be as authentic as they look. Genuine katana swords should possess forged steel blades. Always ask for katana swords with forged steel and heat treated blades. Katana is designed with the shape similar to those ancient katana swords to achieve the right balance. It takes enormous skill and effort in hand creating a katana. Its polish should be carefully examined when choosing one.
There is a certain feeling of power and prestige which comes when you hold an authentic samurai collectible sword. Just don’t forget to properly handle and store your katana as it may become seriously damaged when mishandled. You should often keep the blade well-oiled and polished as natural moisture residue from the hands of the user will cause the blade to rust if not smeared off.
Truly capturing the spirit of old Japan are samurai swords widely distinguished throughout the history of mankind. Katana is one of those antique swords that hold the interests of our modern culture. Choose right and choose well and own a katana sword worth every cent.
Technorati Tags: antique swords, collectible sword, katana, samurai swords, samurai weapons
November 09 2008 | antique swords and collectible swords | 1 Comment »
Seppuku as capital punishment
