Ethnographic Arms & Armour - View Single Post - 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.

5th February 2023, 05:10 PM	#6
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 9,757	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.