* Image is for illustrative purposes only.Sohaya
騒速
Also known as: Three Daito with Mounting Fittings
Description
Overview
Sohaya is the popular name of a set of three daito preserved at Okuyama Kiyomizu-dera in Kato, Hyogo Prefecture. The three swords, together with ten mounting fittings, are designated as a single Important Cultural Property. Temple tradition holds that Sakanoue no Tamuramaro dedicated three swords, including Sohaya, to the temple in thanks after defeating the demon of Mount Suzuka through the power of the Thousand-Armed Kannon.
Tradition
According to the temple, Tamuramaro visited during the reign of Emperor Kanmu, defeated the Emishi leader Takamaro, and after subduing the demon of Mount Suzuka through Kannon's grace, donated swords in gratitude. The swords are also mentioned in documents such as the Harima Kiyomizu-dera Documents, the Inryoken Nichiroku and the Shukokushu.
Form
All three show a transitional shape between straight blades and curved blades, with a shallow curvature of about 0.3 to 0.4 cm. Two blades are about 52.4 cm long and one about 48.5 cm. Because it cannot be determined which one is Sohaya itself, they are catalogued as the first, second and third daito.
Today
Owing to deterioration, the swords are now kept at the Tokyo National Museum, while ownership remains with Kiyomizu-dera.
Legends & Stories
A daito said to have been offered to Kiyomizu-dera by Sakanoue no Tamuramaro after he subdued the demon of Mount Suzuka.