Exhibition Main Captions

Japanese swords have been a constant source of fascination for centuries. Their elegance, cutting ability, famous past owners, & individual histories all grip the imagination, & even today, their beauty continues to touch people's hearts. 

Today, our curators offer a deep dive into our collection. Pointing out what to them makes each sword special, they provide tips on each piece's form, steel grain, & temper line.
You are sure to find things overlooked by us that resonate personally with you. Where we might point out the temper line, you might find yourself drawn to the shape, & vice versa - this however is exactly what makes sword appreciation so enjoyable.

We hope you enjoy discovering what makes each blade unique & we hope you are able to find a piece that truly speaks to you. You never know, that one fateful encounter might be what starts you on your journey into the world of the Japanese sword!

 

A core characteristic, the sugata, or shape, is the first thing we look at when unravelling the mystery of any sword.

Whether a blade is classed as a katana or wakizashi, naginata or yari, depends entirely on its length & how it was used. However, even within a single category, differences in the shape, including the length, curvature, width, point length, & more, give each their own quirks.

The elegance of a deeply-curved, slender 11th century tachi. The powerful, broad silhouette of a Kamakura Period (1192-1336) blade. The imposing size & extended points of swords of the Nanbokuchō (1336-1392). All were shaped by the societal conditions & style of warfare of the period in which they were made. Even the individual regions & craftsmen that produced them each left their own indelible mark on the final form.
What makes a sword's shape attractive to you?

 

Known as 'jigane', the dark steel above the white temper line, & the grain pattern within it, are key focuses of appreciation. At first glance, it might look the same for every sword, but look closer, & you might start to notice slight color variation. Some might be darker, some more blue, & others might have a more 'wet' or 'glossy' appearance. A key indicator of region & quality, aphorisms have even appeared regarding steel appearance, such as 'blue sword steel is good sword steel'.

Japanese sword steel is noted for its distinct grain. The various patterns, with names derived from nature, like 'itame' (board grain) & 'mokume' (wood burl), can vary a lot in size & expression, influenced by smith, school, & the material used. The jigane is one of the key factors that gives Japanese swords their artistic appeal. As you look, consider whether you prefer swords with a stark, clear grain, or ones with a flawless, mirror-finish.

 

What marks Japanese swords apart the most from all others, the 'hamon', or temper pattern, is the clearest expression of the swordsmith's artistry & intent. Straight hamon, gleaming like the sun rising over the horizon, hamon that dance like flame, & hamon that shift & change like the ocean. From the elegant & beguiling, to the overwhelmingly vigorous, the hamon most clearly shows that no two swords are the same.

The 'character' of the hamon also changes fundamentally depending on the crystal structure of the steel. When formed of coarse, 'nie' crystals, the hamon shimmers & sparkles in the light, while if made of 'nioi', crystals invisible to the naked eye, it takes on a misty, ethereal aspect.

Look close, & you may spot 'hataraki' (activity), formations of coarse crystals that intertwine to create complex landscapes within many hamon, even those formed mostly of nioi. 

 

Local sources of iron sand & charcoal. Strong connections to the imperial court, shogunate, & local shrines & temples. National trade networks. Five provinces best fulfilled these requirements & came to produce the majority of swords in Japan. Known as the Gokaden, 'The Five Traditions', they were Yamato (Nara), Yamashiro (Kyōto), Bizen (Okayama), Sōshū (Kanagawa), & Mino (Gifu). Huge numbers of swords were created in these areas, forged according to the needs & fashions of the day.

Of these, Bizen Province (now SE Okayama Pref.), especially the Osafune region & its most influential swordmaking group, the 'Osafune School', which flourished for almost 700 years until the early 20th century, became bywords for fine swordmaking. 

Workmanship varied between regions, but even within a single area, the type of jigane & hamon could be totally different, depending on the school of swordmaking.

 

The appeal of the Japanese sword does not end with its artistry. Many of the swords we see today have been passed down through countless hands. Some 100 years old, others 700, they only survive due to the care & attention of their many previous owners. Some famous historical figures, others regular people, their names lost to history, the memory of all of these generations of guardians resides within every blade, connecting us today with the past.

Who made a blade, who owned it, & how it came to be in front of you. These hidden histories create a thrilling mystery to be solved, adding further fascinating layers to each Japanese sword. Though not every mystery can be unraveled, just imagining the path that a sword has followed as you view it draws you in, creating a momentary connection between yourself, the sword, its past, & its future.

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