Sword Regulations in the Nara Period: Weapon Management Under the Ritsuryo System and State-Controlled Blade Production

What Was the Nara Period? — The Establishment of a Ritsuryō Legal State

The Nara period (710–794) was an era when the ritsuryō legal system, a governance structure imitating the Chinese Tang Dynasty's legal framework, functioned fully in Japan. Based on a legal system consisting of ritsu (criminal law) and ryō (administrative law), a centralized nation-state was constructed.

The swords of this era were predominantly chokutō (straight blades), differing in form from the wantō (curved blades) that would emerge during the later Heian and Kamakura periods—the ancestor of the modern nihontō (Japanese sword)—and were deeply influenced by continental (Korean peninsula and Chinese) styles. Understanding the sword system of the Nara period is essential for knowing the prehistory of the Japanese blade.

Weapons Management Under the Ritsuryō System — The Ministry of War and the Armory

Weapons management during the Nara period was overseen by the central government's "Hyōbuinshō" (Ministry of War).

Functions of the Hyōbuinshō

The Hyōbuinshō was the ministry corresponding to the Tang Dynasty's "Bingbu" and oversaw all military affairs. All production, storage, and distribution of weapons, including swords, were placed under the ministry's supervision.

The Buko (Armory) System: Weapons were concentrated and stored in national facilities called "buko" (armories). Each kokuga (provincial administrative office) had its own armory, and weapons were issued to soldiers (hyōshi—not yet called "musha" at this time) in times of emergency.

Restrictions on Private Sword Ownership: Ritsuryō law restricted sword possession among the general populace other than nobility and officials. However, small blades used for farming and mountain work were permitted for use at production sites, so it was not a complete weapons ban.

Defense, Public Order, and Swords

Defense during the Nara period was handled through the "sakimori" (frontier garrison) system. Soldiers responsible for defending northern Kyushu were conscripted from across the nation, and defensive lines were established. The weapons (bows and arrows, swords, and spears) carried by sakimori were supplied or managed by the state.

Additionally, soldiers called "eji" (palace guards) who protected the imperial court were also equipped with swords, which were likewise supplied by the state.

The Zōtōshi — The State-Run Sword Manufacturing Bureau

During the Nara period, there existed an official bureau called "Zōtōshi" (Sword Making Bureau) that specialized in sword manufacturing (its name varied by era, such as "Tachinoiki" or "Tōjōsho").

Organization of the Zōtōshi

It is believed that the following craftspeople and officials were stationed at the Zōtōshi.

Kaji (Swordsmiths): Handled the forging of sword blades. State-employed swordsmiths received salary (hōroku).

Togishi (Polishers): Handled edge-hardening and polishing.

Saya-shi and Urushi-shi (Scabbard Makers and Lacquer Craftspeople): Handled the production of koshirae (fittings and handles).

Supervisory Officials: Officials who managed production and conducted quality inspections.

Products made by the Zōtōshi were delivered to the Hyōbuinshō's armories and used for distribution to officials and soldiers. Private sword trade essentially did not exist, and distribution to civilians was limited almost entirely to official supply channels.

The Reality of State-Run Swordsmiths — Records in the Shōsōin Documents

The actual conditions of sword administration in the Nara period are fragmentarily recorded in the Shōsōin documents. Records document the quantities of materials (iron, charcoal, and whetstones) required for sword production, the number of working days for craftspeople, and the quantity of finished products, providing a glimpse into the scale of "state-managed sword manufacturing" at that time.

Nara Period Sword Forms — The Eve of the Transition from Straight to Curved Blades

Nara period swords differed significantly in form from later Japanese blades.

The Age of the Chokutō (Straight Blade)

Chokutō were the dominant sword type during the Nara period, with blades that were nearly straight or only slightly curved in form. This form resembled Chinese and Korean peninsula swords, demonstrating strong continental cultural influence.

Formal Characteristics

• Blades were straight or only slightly curved
• Kissaki (points) were large, with "ōkissaki" (large points) being common
• There were differences between moroha (double-edged) and kataiba (single-edged) blades
• Blade lengths varied (from tantō to large tsurugi)

Shōsōin Swords — Physical Evidence from the Nara Period

The Shōsōin in Nara preserves numerous Nara period swords, centered on the possessions of Emperor Shōmu.

Kurozukuri-no-tachi (Black-Lacquered Large Sword): A large chokutō housed in a black-lacquered scabbard. A high-quality ceremonial piece notable for the precision of its metal fittings.

Kingin-denso-no-karatachi (Gold and Silver Inlaid Chinese-Style Large Sword): A Chinese-style large sword decorated with gold and silver work and shell inlay (raden). The finest product of its time and a valuable record of continental (Tang Dynasty) exchange.

These Shōsōin swords are formally chokutō and clearly differ from the later "curved Japanese blades." However, their forging technique, metal fitting precision, and lacquerwork quality were exceptionally high, demonstrating Japan's advanced sword-making capabilities at that time.

Late Nara Period Changes — The Transition from Chokutō to Wantō

From the late Nara period into the early Heian period (late 8th century through early 9th century), a transition from chokutō to curved wantō began.

The following factors are cited as driving this change.

Adaptation to Mounted Warfare: As conflicts with the Emishi in the northeast increased, demand grew for wantō suited to combat on horseback. Chokutō were difficult to draw and wield from horseback, whereas curved swords proved functionally superior.

Advances in Forging Technique: Improvements in folding and forge-welding techniques enabled stable production of curved blade forms.

Independence from Continental Culture: The influence of strong Tang-style culture of the Nara period gradually accelerated a transition toward a "uniquely Japanese form."

Conclusion — The Foundation of Sword Culture Nurtured by the Ritsuryō State

The sword system of the Nara period may not be the direct origin of later Japanese blade culture. However, the state-run swordsmith system, weapons management framework, and production of high-quality chokutō laid the foundation for nurturing the "Japanese sword culture" that Japan would later present proudly to the world.

The Shōsōin's sword materials remain in Nara today, quietly testifying to the standards of sword-making from 1300 years ago. By understanding the Nara period's "age of the straight blade," one can more deeply comprehend the emergence of the "curved Japanese blade" that would flower during the Heian and Kamakura periods.