* Image is for illustrative purposes only.Ikakeji Gyōyō Raden Tachi
沃懸地杏葉螺鈿太刀
Also known as: Ikakeji Gyōyō Raden Tachi; Efu no Tachi; sword said to have been worn by Minamoto no Yoritomo
- Smith
- Unknown (unsigned)
- Era
- Kamakura period
- Type
- Tachi
- Designation
- National Treasure (part of the collective designation of the Ancient Sacred Treasures of Tsurugaoka Hachimangu)
- Location
- Tsurugaoka Hachimangu, Kamakura, Kanagawa Prefecture
Description
Ancient Sacred Treasures of Tsurugaoka Hachimangu
The Ikakeji Gyōyō Raden Tachi is a ceremonial (kazari) tachi from the Kamakura period, preserved at Tsurugaoka Hachimangu in Kamakura, Kanagawa Prefecture. It was designated a National Treasure on 28 June 1956 as part of the shrine's collective group of ancient ceremonial treasures (koshinpō). Two examples survive. The larger is traditionally said to measure 3 shaku 5 sun 2 bu, and the smaller 3 shaku 4 sun 8 bu. One of them lacks its tsuba, but the two are essentially identical in construction.
Design
The scabbard is finished in ikakeji (a lacquer ground densely dusted with gold powder), over which gyōyō (stylized tree-leaf motifs) are arranged in raden (mother-of-pearl inlay). The sword strap (obitori-gawa) has a red ground with white patterning, and all fittings are gilt. The hilt is silver, decorated with repoussé work imitating shark skin. This lavish design shows that the highest level of craftsmanship was invested in the sword for votive and ceremonial use.
The Name "Efu no Tachi" and the Tradition of Minamoto no Yoritomo
Because this style of tachi is said to derive from the tachi worn by senior officers of the Konoefu, the imperial palace guard, the sword is also called "Efu no Tachi". The Edo-period gazetteer Shinpen Sagami Fudokikō records that it was "said to have been worn by Yoritomo", and the sword has traditionally been regarded as the sword of Minamoto no Yoritomo, founder of the Kamakura shogunate. However, it has also been pointed out that this tradition may itself derive from the stylistic name "efu tachi".
Public Viewing
The sword is normally not on public display. It has, however, sometimes been shown in special exhibitions, such as at the Kamakura Museum of National Treasures, in conjunction with the shrine's autumn grand festival. A drawing of the tachi made in the Tenpō era is held by the Tokyo National Museum.
Legends & Stories
The Edo-period gazetteer Shinpen Sagami Fudokikō records that the sword was "said to have been worn by Yoritomo," attributing it to Minamoto no Yoritomo, founder of the Kamakura shogunate. However, the sword's style is also known as "Efu no Tachi," a name deriving from its association with senior officers of the imperial palace guard, and some scholars suggest the Yoritomo tradition itself may stem from this stylistic name rather than documented history.