Kogarasu-maru

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Kogarasu-maru and Koshirae

The Kogarasu-Maru ( Japanese 小 烏丸 , dt. "Sword of the Little Crow") is a unique Japanese sword ( Tachi ) that belongs to the collection of the Japanese emperor .

history

According to legend, the Kogarasu-maru was made by the swordsmith Amakuni at the beginning of the 8th century AD. It is more likely, however, that the blade was forged by a swordsmith in Yamato Province in the late 8th and early 9th centuries . According to assumptions, the blade is said to be a shortened Naginata or Yari blade, which has been reworked in the shape of a tachi . This assumption is based on the unusual shape of the Kogarasu-maru, which is more typical of polearms than swords. Regardless, there is no evidence that the blade was actually shortened. There is therefore a lot to suggest that the blade was deliberately forged in the shape of a Kissaki-moroha-zukuri , which is why the name Kogarasu-zukuri is common for this blade shape. The Kogarasu-Maru would then be a transitional form from the double-edged tsurugi to the traditional single-edged Japanese tachi and katana . This is supported by two other blade finds of this type as well as no fewer than 54 Tachi, which come from the same time period and have similar characteristics.

For a long time, the Kogarasu-maru was owned by the Taira family until it became part of the collection of the Japanese imperial family as a gift to the Tennō .

description

The Kogarasu-maru has a blade length of approx. 62.8 cm. The blade is curved and has a sori of 1.2 cm. At its tip it is designed with two edges in the style of Kissaki-moroha-zukuri . The cutting edge on the back of the blade ends around 20 cm in front of the Nakago, unlike with Ken or European swords . The rest of the back of the blade is in the Iori- Mune style. There is also a fuller on both sides of the blade . The hardening line is straight and parallel to the blade ridge, so-called Suguha Hamon . The Nakago shows no noticeable changes, so it is in its original condition (Ubu) and has only one dowel hole (Mekugi Ana), which is unusual for blades of this age.

Trivia

In the Japanese manga and anime Tokyo Underground , "Kogarasu-Maru" is the name of the sword of the main character Rumina Asagi. In another Japanese manga Air Gear "Kogarasumaru" is the name of the team founded by the main character Minami "Ikki" Itsuki.

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ Tilley, William: One Hundred Masterpieces from the Collection of Dr. Walter A. Compton , p. 39
  2. ↑ Nagayama Kōkan: TO-KEN KANTEI DOKUHON - The Honnami School's Guide to Japanese Sword Appreciation ., P. 24
  3. ↑ Tilley, William: One Hundred Masterpieces from the Collection of Dr. Walter A. Compton , p. 40

source

  • Kanzan Sato: The Japanese Sword. A Comprehensive Guide . Kodansha International, 1983, p. 32.
  • John Yumoto: The Samurai Sword - A Manual . Ordonnanz-Verlag, 2004, p. 27.
  • Tamio Tsuchiko, Kenji Mishina: The New Generation of Japanese Swordsmiths . Kodansha International, 2002, p. 19.
  • Nagayama Kōkan: The Connoisseur's Book of Japanese Swords . Kodansha International, 1998, pp. 14 f., 54, 128, 342.
  • Nagayama Kōkan: TO-KEN KANTEI DOKUHON - The Honnami School's Guide to Japanese Sword Appreciation . A To-ken Society of Great Britain Publication, p. 24 f.
  • Tilley, William: One Hundred Masterpieces from the Collection of Dr. Walter A. Compton , Christie, Manson & Woods International, Inc. 1992, ISBN 1-880907-00-3 , p. 38 ff.