tour 9 of 10
Japanese Swords: Cutting Edge
Unknown artist, Retired warrior of the Nabeshima clan
This portrait is of a retired samurai warrior
of the Nabeshima family. Members of the samurai class sometimes
became monks on retirement. The term 'samurai'
applied to all members of the warrior class that rose to power in
the twelfth century and dominated the Japanese government until
1868. The ideal samurai was supposed to be a determined warrior who
held bravery, honour and personal loyalty above life itself. Ritual
suicide was a respected alternative to dishonour or
defeat.
The Nabeshima
family ruled Hizen Province during the Edo period (1600-1868). They
closely controlled technology and commerce within their domain, and
manufacturing thrived there. Their wealth was based on several
different industries, including the famous Nabeshima pottery.
However they were also highly successful in the manufacture and
export of swords.
The
Nabeshima family retained the family of Hashimoto Shinzaemon
Tadayoshi as swordsmiths throughout the Edo period. The
first-generation Tadayoshi was sent by Nabeshima Katsushige to
study in Kyoto under the swordsmith Umetada Myôju at the end of the
sixteenth century. The Nabeshima family swords retained their
individual character right up until the beginning of the Meiji
regime in 1868. They are all made of fine and even steel, and the
blades are well shaped with an elegant curve.