2.3-meter sword found in 4th-century tomb in Japan

Jim McDougall · 5th February 2023, 05:10 PM

Thank you for this update Fernando, and again for posting this in the first place.
It is always exciting to have insights into many archaeological finds which contain weapons, as it reveals what weapons were in use at a particular time, place and often reveals forms in situ in a distinct 'time capsule'.

Seeing this kind of a phenomenal weapon seems to give us perspective in looking into many legends and even myths in which seemingly dramatically embellished descriptions of weapons seemed virtually unlikely, if not impossible.
Thinking of 'Paul Bunyan' like tall tales and exaggerations, which were of course just that, but at more reachable level such as the swords of legendary heroes, we find that (paraphrasing) " yes, there might be giants".

I recall researching a legendary sword of a Scottish hero in the 17th century alleged to have had a huge sword with a sliding weight (of 10 lbs?) to add impetus to a blow. A prudent author was asking to confirm if such a sword was even possible let alone if it existed.
Naturally I went through the whole two hander (claymore) notion, and in particular the notion of sliding weights on blades. Nothing of course ever surfaced, but many interesting variations in arms lore were found.
The actual sword in question was eventually found, and indeed was much more mundane, simply a basket hilt before the 'Loch Ness syndrome' enhancement.

Bob A · 5th February 2023, 05:35 PM

Moving a short step from speculation to fantasy, I recall reading, in a book by Gene Wolfe, of a sword used for beheading that contained within it a slug of mercury, with the similar intent of adding force to the blow. I doubt it would be possible in the so-called real world.

Back to the Japanese find, one wonders whether the unearthing of these protective items will have nullified their effect in the plane of their presumed operation? Splendid tombs have their uses, but providing eternal rest seems not to be one.

Jim McDougall · 5th February 2023, 07:02 PM

Well noted Bob! The mercury channel myth in blades, which seems to have been perpetuated for centuries, with the notion of adding impetus to the cut of the blade. Im not much on physics, but I think this notion looked better on paper.
It even carried into the 17th century with the legendary 'Hollow Sword Blades' in England . This actually referred to the ground 'hollow' faces of the blade, not a channel for mercury etc.
The myth even made in into the tales of Bowie knife lore etc.

The channeled blades that were known in Persia, China and India holding 'pearls' (mostly bearing type orbs) that moved in accord with movement of the blade.
Strictly decorative and likely compromising the integrity of the blade for battle.

With the note on the viability of these funerary embellishments as protective, naturally apocryphal. The so called 'curse of the pharoahs' in Egyptian tombs was created by a creative journalist, and grew into a full scale legend. There was no curse in these tombs, at least certainly not in the manner that gained popular belief.

"..blessed be the man that spares these stones. And cursed be he that moves my bones".
- William Shakespeare epitaph

This may have inspired the journalist creating 'a tantalizing story' . Literary license is the bane of the historian and scholar studying historic matters.
Beliefs and Faith are things that cannot be proven or disproven empirically but their study indeed is very much on a different plane.

5th February 2023, 05:10 PM	#1
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,190	Thank you for this update Fernando, and again for posting this in the first place. It is always exciting to have insights into many archaeological finds which contain weapons, as it reveals what weapons were in use at a particular time, place and often reveals forms in situ in a distinct 'time capsule'. Seeing this kind of a phenomenal weapon seems to give us perspective in looking into many legends and even myths in which seemingly dramatically embellished descriptions of weapons seemed virtually unlikely, if not impossible. Thinking of 'Paul Bunyan' like tall tales and exaggerations, which were of course just that, but at more reachable level such as the swords of legendary heroes, we find that (paraphrasing) " yes, there might be giants". I recall researching a legendary sword of a Scottish hero in the 17th century alleged to have had a huge sword with a sliding weight (of 10 lbs?) to add impetus to a blow. A prudent author was asking to confirm if such a sword was even possible let alone if it existed. Naturally I went through the whole two hander (claymore) notion, and in particular the notion of sliding weights on blades. Nothing of course ever surfaced, but many interesting variations in arms lore were found. The actual sword in question was eventually found, and indeed was much more mundane, simply a basket hilt before the 'Loch Ness syndrome' enhancement.

5th February 2023, 05:35 PM	#2
Bob A Member Join Date: Feb 2014 Posts: 435	Moving a short step from speculation to fantasy, I recall reading, in a book by Gene Wolfe, of a sword used for beheading that contained within it a slug of mercury, with the similar intent of adding force to the blow. I doubt it would be possible in the so-called real world. Back to the Japanese find, one wonders whether the unearthing of these protective items will have nullified their effect in the plane of their presumed operation? Splendid tombs have their uses, but providing eternal rest seems not to be one.

5th February 2023, 07:02 PM	#3
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,190	Well noted Bob! The mercury channel myth in blades, which seems to have been perpetuated for centuries, with the notion of adding impetus to the cut of the blade. Im not much on physics, but I think this notion looked better on paper. It even carried into the 17th century with the legendary 'Hollow Sword Blades' in England . This actually referred to the ground 'hollow' faces of the blade, not a channel for mercury etc. The myth even made in into the tales of Bowie knife lore etc. The channeled blades that were known in Persia, China and India holding 'pearls' (mostly bearing type orbs) that moved in accord with movement of the blade. Strictly decorative and likely compromising the integrity of the blade for battle. With the note on the viability of these funerary embellishments as protective, naturally apocryphal. The so called 'curse of the pharoahs' in Egyptian tombs was created by a creative journalist, and grew into a full scale legend. There was no curse in these tombs, at least certainly not in the manner that gained popular belief. "..blessed be the man that spares these stones. And cursed be he that moves my bones". - William Shakespeare epitaph This may have inspired the journalist creating 'a tantalizing story' . Literary license is the bane of the historian and scholar studying historic matters. Beliefs and Faith are things that cannot be proven or disproven empirically but their study indeed is very much on a different plane.