Famous Japanese Swords

[kuwaiti-kendoka]

I was wondering about Famous swords, coz you see whenever i play tenchu or any sword related game the name "Morumasa" comes out.... is it a real sword???????

Anyways i wanna know about this Sword and other Swords

[Akai Bushi]

Do you mean Muramasa?

If you do, Muramasa swords are swords made by the great swordsmith Muramasa. He is probably one of the three best swordsmiths in Japanese history.

[kuwaiti-kendoka]

Hmmmmm got the spelling wrong. Yes thats the one.
Isn't there any other swords thats are famous in japan?

[Optomitrist]

oddly enough if you go to ebay you can sometimes find names of famous swords and swordsmiths.

[joekc6nlx]

Try Nihonto Antiques.

www.nihontoantiques.com (http://www.nihontoantiques.com)

They have a very good area that describes the various swords. Of course, you're not obligated to buy anything.

[kuwaiti-kendoka]

I'm one word " lazy"
Thats me. Come on guys i just wanna know about Good stuff right over here. :)

[Andoru]

You can't talk about "muramasa" without "masamune"! The Tokugawa shogunate hated muramasa. It is linked to death.

[Kyuuketsuki]

Was (or is) the swordsmith Hattori Hanzo real or he is just fiction?
I've heard that he made some great swords.

[Akai Bushi]

Masamune swords are of higher quality than Muramasa swords(both made in the 1300's). Also worth about three times as much. This book I own doesn't list a Hanzo or Hattori in it, but that doesn't mean he didn't exist.

If you could find a sword made by Amakuni or Amafuji then you would be rich. Amakuni is the legendary swordsmith who it is said made the first katana around 700 AD. Amafuji followed about 50 years latter. An Amakuni sword would be of lower quality then a Masamune, but would be worth twice as much.

[mingshi]

Was (or is) the swordsmith Hattori Hanzo real or he is just fiction?
I've heard that he made some great swords.
Oi, Hattori Hanzo was a Iga NINJA!!

You've watched too much Kill Bill!!

[kuwaiti-kendoka]

Hmmmm why is the japanese sword have great quality? what do they use? Is it a secert ?

[gsx1100s]

This site should answer all your questions:

http://home.earthlink.net/~steinrl/nihonto.htm

I hope you enjoy it!

cheers Michael

[nalogg]

Um........

Kill bill is fictional but there is a real Hattori Hanzo. But he lived in the late 1500's

He was a ninja leader who commanded a 200-man unit of Iga men.

He was also also known as Masanari and as Masashige and had the nickname "devil hanzo", he was born a vassal of the Matsudaira (later Tokugawa) clan.

Apparently the Hanzo-mon subway line in Tokyo is named after him.

He never had anything to do with swordsmithing.

[GoldenShinai]

hey this is my first post ever!

[Andoru]

I thought Muramasa's swords were made after 1500??

[Paikea]

hey this is my first post ever!Hey! That's not the truth...

[Akai Bushi]

There was more than one Muramasa, but the one in the 1300's made the best swords of the people named Muramasa.

[Andoru]

I see. Which Muramasa did the Tokugawas hate the most?

Masamune > Muramasa (1300s) correct?

[nalogg]

When in doubt do a wiki search

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muramasa

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Masamune

And for those of you still wondering who the real hattori hanzo was

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hattori_Hanzo

And in regards to ninja, forget what movies have taught us... although the hollywood interpretation is much cooler, it's simply fiction :(

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ninja
I like their point:
"A ninja assassin was much more likely to pose as a tradesman and kill his target with a hammer than to dress in camouflage and use a sword."

[Akai Bushi]

Yes Masamune(1300) swords are regarded as more valueable and of higher quality than Muramasa(1300).

I know there was a later Muramasa, but I don't know much about him.

[neko kenshi]

I read somewhere that the best swords were made in the 12th century, and that exactly how they were made was lost. Is this true? If so, why are they so much better? Thank you for any information on the subject.

[nalogg]

I read somewhere that the best swords were made in the 12th century, and that exactly how they were made was lost. Is this true? If so, why are they so much better? Thank you for any information on the subject.
simple: they were magical!

unfortunately the details about how to cast magic spells were also lost :)

[kuwaiti-kendoka]

simple: they were magical!

unfortunately the details about how to cast magic spells were also lost :) SHAAAAAAAZAAAAM was the perfect spell to sharpen you Sword( or shiais)...... Oh Look.... I can feel my toes.... ooooops I'VE USED THE MAGICAL SPELL..... Duh :)

[GoldenShinai]

SHAAAAAAAZAAAAM was the perfect spell to sharpen you Sword( or shiais)...... Oh Look.... I can feel my toes.... ooooops I'VE USED THE MAGICAL SPELL..... Duh :)Thats not true, it was SHIZZING! you need to read up on your japanese history and stop playing these childish games. Shazzam...what a fool

[kuwaiti-kendoka]

Gerrrrr dont.... and i mean dont use Shizzing. ARE YOU TRYING TO KILL ME.
Hey ididnt start this. :)

[Takamatsu]

Hello no hatori Hanzo swordsmith but there is an Okinawan swordsmith his name is Kiyochika Kanehama and he is alive and well He studied in the Miyairi school in Nagano. I have spent time with him and have helped/watched him forge he is a friend and Sensei. Ganbate ne!

[antz]

Hi guys,

Just saw your thread, To let you know hatori hanzon was a famous ninja. I think he was apart of the Iga clan, but dont quote me on that. He can be found in the Hombu Dojo in Japan. His grave anyway. Just thought I would say. take care guys

antz

[tattooedasshole]

Yes Masamune(1300) swords are regarded as more valueable and of higher quality than Muramasa(1300).

I know there was a later Muramasa, but I don't know much about him.
http://www.samuraisword.com/nihontodisplay/JUYO/Muramasa/index.htm
This is the only famous muramasa I've ever heard of (and anyone saying the name is refering to the same smith). Where did you hear of the other?

[JByrd]

I once got to hold a sword I'm pretty sure was made by Munechika (the little fox). I was allowed to remove the handle and make a rubbing of the tang. It was owned by an elderly woman in Salt Lake City whose husband was a high ranking army officer in WWII. According to her, her husband had received the sword as a gift from a Japanese commander who surrendered his base during the occupation. She knew it was valuable, but not how much so. I told her that if I was right about the maker, it is a priceless national treasure of Japan that she might consider returning.

[Kansai Ronin]

i wonder if my shinken will be a famous blade one day???...lol

[neko kenshi]

Try Nihonto Antiques.

www.nihontoantiques.com (http://www.nihontoantiques.com)

They have a very good area that describes the various swords. Of course, you're not obligated to buy anything.

Whoah. Two things I noticed about those swords: Alot of them had hi, (or bohi?) and isn't that something that cutting swords usually don't have? And another was that it seemed like just about all of them were much more curved than the iaito I usually see today? That seems strange.

[Mokujin77]

You could try looking here;

http://www.to-ken.com/

The To-ken society of Great Britain is dedicated to the study and preservation of japanese swords, fittings and armour. The chairman, Clive Sinclaire, is my sensei and he is very passionate about the subject.

[kenji_71_06]

I have found historically more sword saints and sword smiths are remembered far more than the skinken they wielded or created. Weapons owned or made by hold great value, to some spiritually, some historically, some simply monetarily. here are some cool links referencing great sword wielder's, and great weapon makers.

http://www.bl.physik.uni-muenchen.de/~k2/budo_english/iaido/node2.html

http://www.movingeast.co.uk/tetsushinkan/ksr.html

http://home.earthlink.net/~steinrl/nihonto.htm
Lots of great info.

http://home.earthlink.net/~steinrl/nihonto.htm
Another real informative one historically

I hope these help with the questions of the first post.

[kenji_71_06]

I have found historically more sword saints and sword smiths are remembered far more than the skinken they wielded or created. Weapons owned or made by hold great value, to some spiritually, some historically, some simply monetarily. here are some cool links referencing great sword wielder's, and great weapon makers.

http://www.bl.physik.uni-muenchen.de/~k2/budo_english/iaido/node2.html

http://www.movingeast.co.uk/tetsushinkan/ksr.html

http://home.earthlink.net/~steinrl/nihonto.htm
Lots of great info.

http://home.earthlink.net/~steinrl/nihonto.htm
Another real informative one historically

I hope these help with the questions of the first post.



Sorry this is the fourth link, I put the third one twice.

http://www.hi-net.zaq.ne.jp/osaru/e_midokoro.htm

[kenji_71_06]

When in doubt do a wiki search

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muramasa

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Masamune

And for those of you still wondering who the real hattori hanzo was

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hattori_Hanzo

And in regards to ninja, forget what movies have taught us... although the hollywood interpretation is much cooler, it's simply fiction :(

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ninja
I like their point:
"A ninja assassin was much more likely to pose as a tradesman and kill his target with a hammer than to dress in camouflage and use a sword."


Not to mention that many were Samuari.

[Metsuke]

Minamoto Yoshitsune - A son of Minamoto Yoshitomo , a famous strategist who defy Taira but failed . His entire family were murdered except 2 sons . The elder , Yoritomo was sent to royal Izu palace , while the younger Yoshitsune was secretly sent to a a temple on Kuramayama . Unlike his brother , he live as average teenager while being trained as swordsman and martial artist . He was reunited with his brother to fight Taira . Unlike his brother or any other general who order people around , Yoshitsune actually fought on the frontline and killed many .
Yagyu Jubei (Jubei)Mitsutoshi was the son of a famous politician under Shogun , Munenori . Their family , Yagyu has a sword technique Yagyu Shinkage-ryu , that was the official training syllabus for all soldiers in Ieyasu Tokugawa . Unlike his father , who only interested in politic , Mitsutoshi wandered Japan wide to challenge Dojo and swordsmen for duel . It is written in many historic books , his right eye was blind as a result of a loss when he was youth . Unlike other legend , he was known to be extremely hot-headed/insane . He directly challenged any swordsman on the spot and win -act called as Tsujigiri- . Besides victory in one on one match , the reason I put him here is he actually survived in one vs many death situation like Yoshitsune and Musashi . Araki Mataemon , another legend , was 15 when he apprenticed himself to 13 yrs old Jubei .
MusashiLike Jubei , Musashi , son of average samurai ,doesnt involve in any political war . Most of the fight is one on one . But unlike Jubei , Musashi didnt do Tsujigiri , and he was more calm martial artist - always epphasize the the importance of ZEN . He was the only legend who studied swords without teacher . After being chased away by his father , he lived in a poor temple , taught about buddha and zen . But , he created his own style . His first one on one victory was 13 , killed a top local master , Tajima Akiyama . He continously unbeatable in duel , beating any top master like Sasaki Kojiro , Arima Kagei , and Inei Hozoin . It is written in history , he murdered a group of warriors single handedly , when serving Osaka castle . He stop killing opponent after killing a talented teenager(is said to be better than him), he only used bamboo sword . It is written in history , he actually lost the first duel , but he ran away . After figuring a counter-tactic , he rechallenged the young man . He was lucky to survive the genius Tsubame-gaeshi technique and killed the genius with two swords . He stopped killing after that , years after that , he wrote tha famous strategy book , comparable to SunTzu , the book titled -Book of Five RIngs-
Souji OkitaHis real name was Soujiro . Apprenticed to Kondo Isami(President of ShinsenGumi) a master of Tennen Rishin Ryu . He became a full-fledged instructor at 15 , along with the younger TodoHeisuke . I saw Souji's photo and he was actually a goodlooking guy . His legendary tech is Sandanzuki(3Thrust) , stabbing at neck ,left-right shoulders . He is said to be the strongest in Shinsen Gumi . It is said the only who can stand against him in one-on-one fight was Saito Hajime and Nagakura Shinpachi . According to Shinsen Gumi record , he killed the most enemy along with Nagakura . He fainted and coughed blood in famous Ikedaya incident . Later at 25 , he died caused by turbulesis .
Nagakura ShinpachiCaptain of 2nd Squad in Shinsen Gumi . Is said to be the only one who has defeated Souji Okita in one-on-one dojo duel . Like Souji , he was always in the raid squad . Maybe that's why he killed the most . In the famous Ikedaya incident , there was only fifteen shinsengumi members did checking on Ikedaya , and surprisingly encountered a big meeting of Chosu clan . That was a legendary incident where fifteen Shinsengumi members fought big numbers of Chosu clan members (Most record says more than 40) . When other reinforcement arrived , the only survived was Nagakura , Harada , Souji , and another two . While most of the enemies were murdered . After Okita sick and retired , Nagakura lead RAID SQUAD (Squad 1 and 2) . Like Saito , Nagakura survived until Meiji . He wrote the famous book , Shinsengumi tenmatsu ki , a full story of shinsen Gumi .
Saito HajimeFrankly speaking , his record is not as impressive as Okita and Nagakura , not even as impressive as Hijikata and Kondou , but I dont know why Japanese idolize him so much . ANyway , Nagakura , the only guy who defeated Souji , mentioned that Saito can stand against Okita , who is the best in Shinsen Gumi . He was quiet and scary person , according to Nagakura . He and his division work on spying and intelligence things . Perhaps why people see him as hero becouse he did kill several corrupt Shinsen Gumi even after Shogun reign ended . His chilhood , he murdered an official when he was 6 , and got prisoned . After release , he train at certain dojos around Izu , before his talent caught attention of Hijikata . But , I say , I dont think that he is worth to be put as modern sword legend along with Nagakura and Okita .

[ScottUK]

Stop cutting and pasting, you twat.

http://www.nexgear.com/lofiversion/index.php?t12896.html

[ScottUK]

You must spread some Reputation around before giving it to Metsuke again.Aw nuts....

[Metsuke]

Stop cutting and pasting, you twat.

http://www.nexgear.com/lofiversion/index.php?t12896.html

Sorry I posted this before you explained this to me in the other thread.

[havocangel]

Muramasa was a real swordsmith. During the late 1500s Tokugawa Ieayusa made muramasa swords unpopular by claiming the swords were cursed, demon possesed and said that the swords saught blood. Many of Tokugawa's enemies used muramasa swords against the Tokugawa clan. Tokugawa's family was plagued by the "curse" of the muramasa. Ieayusa's Grandfather, father, son and wife were all slain by muramasa weapons. Their were 3 genreations of muramasa swordsmiths. The rival swordsmith to Muramasa was Masamune. It was said that you could put both swords blade facing upstream and the leaves floating down stream would pass by the Masamune sword where the Muramasa sword would split the leaves in two. Muramasa made 3 masterwork swords, roumered to be indisturctable and extremly violent weapons. One given to Yukimaura Sanada, another given to Miyamoto Musashi, and the other given to a Hideyoshi Toyotomi samurai who's name wasn't given.

About Hanzo Hattori, Hanzo wasn't a swordsmith he was the leader of the Iga Ninja clan during the sengoku period of Japan. After Ieayusa became shogun and then shortly after retired in the late 1590s Hanzo was promoted to the chief counsoler of Hidetada Tokugawa, Ieayusa's 3rd born son.

[cresentmoon]

actualli wen it comes to japanese swords there are five that are famous. and are still stoday listed as the five national treasures in japan....i remeber one of them being called the demon, and the other i forgot.
its listed in this book called swords and other hilted weapons, wriiten by differrnt people covering all the swords in the world including bayonets as well.

[I_am_Cthulhu]

Muramasa made 3 masterwork swords, roumered to be indisturctable and extremly violent weapons. One given to Yukimaura Sanada, another given to Miyamoto Musashi, and the other given to a Hideyoshi Toyotomi samurai who's name wasn't given.Interesting. Can you tell me more about this?

[euclid]

nice reference (http://www.nihonto.ca/)


To swords I will never be able to afford.

:silly: