tour 1 of 10
Japanese Swords: Cutting Edge
Japanese Swords: Cutting Edge
Swords have a central role in Japanese
tradition and are widely admired for their elegance, beauty,
technical excellence and spiritual qualities. Steel swords were
first brought to Japan from China and Korea between the fourth and
sixth centuries AD. They were copied by Japanese swordsmiths and
their curved, single-edged design was perfected during the Heian
period (AD 794-1185). They were used as weapons by the
samurai
(warrior class) until the end of the nineteenth
century.
Appreciation of
the blade's beauty is an important aspect of Japanese
aesthetics. Its unique textures are created by a complex
manufacturing and polishing process. The sword is one of the three
holy objects of the ancient imperial regalia, along with the jewel
and the mirror. Swords are even honoured as the resident deity of
some
Shintō
shrines. They can be dated according to changes in shape and length
over time and swordsmiths signed their work, so it has been
possible to make a
chronology.
This tour looks
at Japanese swords, their accessories, and depictions of their use
from different periods. It was written to accompany the exhibition
Cutting Edge: Japanese
Swords, at the British Museum from 30
September 2004 to 8 May
2005.
Specially
commissioned sword photography by Kishida
Katsunori.