This is the second in a series of posts which, when released, will bring us an in-depth look from the very earliest history – and sword history – of Japan, to the modern day, and how the world of Touken Ranbu fits into this history.

The Kofun Period (250 – 538 CE)

The Kofun era was named for the Kofun or burial mounds built for the ruling class of this time period. It is from these Kofun (dating from 300CE to 710CE) that many examples of swords of this era have been found. The store houses of Shoso-in hold an array of swords, including those that are thicker than those made during the previous Yayoi civilisation.  At the start of this era, swords were completely hardened as a single piece of steel. Later on, there are two types of sword identified. The first were very narrow and thin, and differentially hardened (which was a metallurgical breakthrough), to give different properties of the steel across the blade.  This creates a distinctive line seen on the blade known as the hamon. It is due to clay tempering (a process that will be discussed further in a later post).  These hamon were almost straight which shows there to be a high level of carbon. These swords do not seem to be very practical as weapons as they had a tendency to fall into two halves.

As the era progressed newer swords evolved which were often double edged swords that were more functional in appearance, these exemplify the swords being forged in Japan. Whilst it is known that the use of steel to forge blades came from China via the Korean Peninsula; Japan provided a fertile ground for the development and evolution of these swords into what would become the distinctive Japanese sword. Near constant warfare required the development of military equipment, influencing the natural progress of these swords.

Although the warriors of the day are not considered Samurai, they were a military elite.  At this time, clans were being formed by powerful, extended family communities. It was within this social structure that the warriors allied themselves with these clans.  Early in the era, battle tactics were crude, but as the era progressed these tactics began to employ complex and sophisticated techniques. This in turn led to a warrior-led society.

These clans fought with each other for power, influence and wealth. Some of the clans were particularly successful in waging wars, rising in power, and seizing control of the outlying territories and clans. This would come to be the birth of the warlords of early Japan. So it was during the centuries of this era that the foundations of Japanese society emerged. As warlords were wary of defeat or betrayal, servitude and loyalty became paramount. Warriors who had proven themselves to exemplify these characteristics became necessary for protecting both wealth and well-being. This trustworthiness was displayed in the courage and battle-readiness with which these warriors fought on the battlefield. Whilst mostly practical in nature, this would be the unique setting which acted as a catalyst for the evolution of the sociological setting which created the unique Japanese culture.

The inefficiency of the straight swords which were brought from China, and the tactics used militarily were examined and improved as the era progressed.  Straight swords required two movements in order to cut, first to remove the sword from the scabbard and secondly the cutting motion.  They were mainly used in order to thrust or hack at a person. For infantry tactics, these swords, were ideal, using the stabbing strength of them. However these straight swords prevented warriors from cleanly slashing, a tactic which was made possible with a curved blade.

Later in this era there became two types of sword that were manufactured and found in Kofun. The Chokuto (Tsurugi) and the Tachi (during this period still straight edged). These two types can be considered the starting point of the emergence of the Japanese blade that is distinctive from those developed in other cultures.

These two types of blade were being produced from between the fourth and fifth centuries, right up unto the tenth or eleventh century.

Chokuto (and Tsurugi) 

These swords were about 70 – 80cm long, whilst still based on the earlier Chinese design and are considered the starting point of the unique style of Japanese swords. These ridgeless, crudely made swords were symmetrical, double edged swords. They were designed to be used to hack and thrust. Chukoto often had pommel like designs, such as ring-shaped pommels. They also have tangs (the part of the blade that is inside the tsuaya (scabbard) of various shapes and designs.  These swords are completely different to the later, distinctive curved swords made in later era. This type of sword had declined in use completely by the middle of the Heian Era in the tenth century BCE.

Tachi

The Tachi (at this point a straight edged sword) are shaped very differently to the tachi that would evolve later, with its distinctive curved blade.

These are the most distinctive in shape found in the Kofun era.

Tachi were worn outside the armour, using a harness, with the blade pointing down.

The evolution of curved blades and advances in metallurgy, were quickly evolving as this era drew to close. The Era following the Kofun Era, the Nara Era, saw the emergence of large areas of centralised power. This is when we first start to see Touken Danshi swords being forged.