Long Sword (Tachi)

Umetada Myoju, who was called the Father of Shinto (modern sword), used to live in Nishijin, Kyoto, in the Momoyama and Edo Periods. His talent in metal carving is apparent in the carved decorations of the sword-guard and in the body of the sword. The carvings, which did not appear on other swords before this one, are elegant and intricate. This Tachi sword is relatively wide when viewed from the side, but not thick. The tapering tip of the sword is long like an Osuriage sword. During those days, the fashion of swords was changing from long ones to shorter, Uchigatana swords, and this one was made during the transition period.

The relief carvings of a Fudomyo'o figure (Acalanatha) in a shrine is on the front side of the sword, and on the back a dragon is carved, which proves that this sword is not a Osuriage style sword. The inscription states, “I disapprove of giving it to others”, which probably indicates that the artist considered it as his masterpiece and gave it to his descendants. There are not many swords by Myoju which are still extant, this long sword being the only proven long sword by Myoju.

— Museum description: Kyoto National Museum (CC BY 4.0), via ColBase / Japan Search.