* Image is for illustrative purposes only.Fujiwara Regency
藤原摂関期
During the height of Fujiwara regency culture, the historic transition from straight to curved blades occurred, giving birth to the proto-Japanese sword. Early curved tachi reflected the elegance of Heian court culture.
Description
Transition from Straight to Curved Blades
The Fujiwara Regency period (late 9th to early 11th century) was an era in which the most fundamental transformation in Japanese sword history occurred. Since the Nara period, straight blades (chokutō) inherited from the continent had been the mainstream, but beginning in the 10th century, curved blades (wantō) with curvature in the blade began to appear. The background to this transformation lay in the changing warfare methods of Heian warriors. As mounted warfare became dominant, it came to be recognized that blade curvature had practical utility in battle for increasing cutting power when striking downward from horseback. Furthermore, as the technique of rapidly drawing the blade while it remained sheathed—quick-draw (iai)—developed, it became clear that curved blades excelled in handling on horseback.
Regency Nobility and Swords
In this era when Fujiwara no Michinaga and Fujiwara no Yorimichi, father and son, held dominion, swords were more than mere weapons. In court ritual, the decorative tachi (kazari-tachi) were symbols of rank and authority, and elaborate furnishings with ornate fittings, lacquered scabbards, and braided silk cords were commissioned. Tachi called "gomotsu-tachi" (imperial treasured swords) presented to emperors and retired emperors, as well as fine swords made as gifts to subordinates, became important catalysts for advancing sword-smith technique. In Kyoto, sword smiths gathered at Sanjō, Awataguichi, and Ichijō, where they refined sophisticated styles to meet aristocratic demand. The name of Sanjō Munechika is transmitted as a sword master of this age, but surviving works are extremely few, and much about his actual accomplishments remains shrouded in mystery.
Characteristics of Early Curved Blades
Surviving swords from this era are few in number, but their characteristics are clearly distinct from those of the later Kamakura period. The blades are somewhat slender, with pronounced "koshi-zori" (curvature near the base) extending throughout the body. The point (kissaki) is small and possesses a delicate form called "ko-kissaki" (small point). The grain (jigane) displays wood-grain (itame) and large wood-grain (ōitame) patterns, while the temper line (hamon) is frequently straight-edged (suguha) or small irregular (ko-midare). The hardened edge is narrow, the crystalline structure (nie) is fine and tightly packed, and in contrast to the bold hamon of later eras, it possesses a serene, quiet beauty. These characteristics are said to reflect the aesthetics of "yūgen, wabi, and miyabi" (profound grace, austere simplicity, and courtly elegance) favored by the aristocracy. The collar (habaki) is often simple, with a flat construction, and the tang (nakago) frequently features a blade-back ridge with a chestnut-shaped butt (kuri-jiri).
Monk-Soldiers and the Rise of Warriors
In the latter stages of regency government, major temples and shrines controlling estates throughout the realm organized monk-soldiers (sōhei) for self-defense. Major temples such as Enryaku-ji, Kōfuku-ji, and Onjō-ji commanded thousands of monk-soldiers armed with swords and naginata. The demand for swords in this period extended beyond aristocratic society to these temple and shrine powers. Sword smiths of Yamato province (Nara) had especially close relations with temples and shrines, and the early origins of the five later Yamato schools can be seen in this period. Sword-smith groups that would become the source of the Taimu and Senjuin schools refined robust styles to meet the practical needs of the monk-soldiers, producing straightforward blades that differed from the refined elegance of the Yamashiro tradition.
Independence of Eastern Warrior Clans
In the Kantō and Tōhoku regions, in frontier areas beyond the reach of Fujiwara influence, independent warrior bands were gradually taking shape. The Taira no Masakado Rebellion (939) and the Fujiwara no Sumitomo Rebellion symbolize the social upheaval and the rise of warriors characteristic of this era. Warriors of the eastern provinces engaged primarily in close-quarters combat on horseback and required swords suited to actual warfare. In Bizen province (Okayama), local smiths were actively working, and the foundations for what would later become Japan's largest center of sword production began to form in this period. Meanwhile, in Kyushu, metal-working techniques flowed in through trade with the continent and Korean peninsula, and smiths of Chikuzen and Hizen accumulated distinctive techniques.
Surviving Examples and Their Significance
Surviving swords from this age number only a dozen or so worldwide, and nearly all are designated National Treasures or Important Cultural Properties. The "Mikazuki Munechika" (Tokyo National Museum, one of the Five Swords Under Heaven), attributed to Sanjō Munechika, is the finest surviving example showing the pinnacle of achievement in this era, though signed works are extremely rare. Many are classified as "Ko-Aoe" or "Ko-Hōki" based on period characteristics, but identifying makers at the current state of research remains difficult. For collectors, swords from this era represent the finest opportunity to connect with the "origins" of the Japanese sword, and each example possesses such scholarly value as to significantly contribute to the elucidation of sword history.
Characteristics of This Era
- Slender blades with pronounced koshi-zori (near-base curvature) and delicate ko-kissaki tips
- Itame and ō-itame jigane predominates; nie fine and controlled compared to later periods
- Hamon mainly suguha or ko-midare with narrow width; quiet and refined appearance
- Elaborate kazari-tachi mountings with gold fittings symbolizing court rank and authority
- Fewer than twenty examples survive worldwide; signed pieces are of incalculable rarity