daishō

The —literally "big-little"—is a Japanese term for a matched pair of traditionally made Japanese swords (''nihonto'') worn by the samurai class in feudal Japan.

Description

The etymology of the word ''daishō'' becomes apparent when the terms ''daitō'', meaning long sword, and ''shōtō'', meaning short sword, are used; ''daitō'' + ''shōtō'' = ''daishō''. A ''daishō'' is typically depicted as a ''katana'' and '' wakizashi'' (or a ''tantō'') mounted in matching '' koshirae'', but originally the ''daishō'' was the wearing of any long and short ''katana'' together. The ''katana/wakizashi'' pairing is not the only ''daishō'' combination as generally any longer sword paired with a ''tantō'' is considered to be a ''daishō''. ''Daishō'' eventually came to mean two swords having a matched set of fittings. A ''daishō'' could also have matching blades made by the same swordsmith, but this was in fact uncommon and not necessary for two swords to be considered to be a ''daishō'', as it would have been more expensive for a samurai.

History

The concept of the ''daisho'' originated with the pairing of a short sword with whatever long sword was being worn during a particular time period. The ''tachi'' would be paired with a ''tantō'', and later the ''katana'' would be paired with another shorter katana called a ''chiisagatana''. With the advent of the ''katana'', the ''wakizashi'' eventually was chosen by samurai as the short sword over the ''tantō''. Kanzan Satō, in his book titled ''The Japanese Sword'', notes that there did not seem to be any particular need for the ''wakizashi'' and suggests that the ''wakizashi'' may have become more popular than the ''tantō'' as the ''wakizashi'' was more suited for indoor fighting. He mentions the custom of leaving the ''katana'' at the door of a castle or palace when entering while continuing to wear the ''wakizashi'' inside.

''Daishō'' may have become popular around the end of the Muromachi period (1336 to 1573) as several early examples date from the late 16th century. An edict in 1629 defining the duties of a samurai required that ''daishō'' be worn when on official duty.
Wearing ''daishō'' was limited to the ''samurai'' class in 1683, and became a symbol of their rank Samurai could wear decorative swords in daily life, but the Tokugawa shogunate regulated the appearance of swords for formal attire such as when samurai came to a castle. The daisho for formal attire was limited to the scabbard in solid black, the hilt winding thread and the hilt wrapped with white ray skin.Kazuhiko Inada (2020), ''Encyclopedia of the Japanese Swords''. p46.

According to most traditional ''kenjutsu'' schools, only one sword of the ''daisho'' would have been used in combat. However, in the first half of the 17th century, the famous swordsman Miyamoto Musashi promoted the use of a one-handed grip, which allowed both swords to be used simultaneously. This technique, called '' nitōken'', is a main element of the '' Niten Ichi-ryū'' style of swordsmanship that Musashi founded.

During the Meiji period an edict was passed in 1871 abolishing the requirement that ''daishō'' be worn by samurai, and in 1876 wearing swords in public by most of Japan's population was banned; thus ended the use of the ''daishō'' as the symbol of the samurai. The samurai class was abolished soon after the sword ban.''Katana: The Samurai Sword: 950–1877''
Stephen Turnbull, Osprey Publishing, 2010 P.28

Gallery

File:朱漆大小, Daishō.jpg, 19th century, Edo period. Tokyo National Museum.
File:Daisho katana and wakizashi 1.jpg, Antique Japanese (samurai) ''daisho'', showing the matched set of mounts (''koshirae'').
File:Daisho-p1000661.jpg, An Edo-period ''daishō koshirae'' on its stand. The long-sword is generally stored above the ''wakizashi'', curving downwards. When hung for display, the tip points to the right.
File:黒蝋色花丸紋蒔絵螺鈿鞘大小拵 Kuro-roiro hanamaru-mon makie raden saya daishō koshirae.jpg, Black lacquered ''hanamaru mon maki-e raden daishō koshirae'' (sword mounting). Meiji period.
File:Daisho kashira 1.jpg, ''Daisho kashira'' ( pommel)
File:Daisho habaki.jpg, ''Daisho habaki'' (wedge-shaped collar)
File:Daisho fuchi.jpg, ''Daisho tsuba'' and ''fuchi'' (hand guard and hilt collar)
File:Daisho tsuka 1.jpg, ''Daisho tsuka'' (hilt)
File:Henmisosuke samurai.jpg, A 19th century samurai wearing his ''daisho''
File:Musashi vs. Bokuden.jpg, A print depicting the fictional encounter between swordsmen Miyamoto Musashi and Tsukahara Bokuden, the former using both swords in the '' Niten Ichi-ryū'' style.

See also

* Japanese sword mountings
* Ōdachi

References

External links

Nihonto message board forum

{{DEFAULTSORT:Daisho
Samurai weapons and equipment
Samurai swords
Japanese sword types