When Did the Nodachi First Appear?

The Nodachi first appeared during the 5th century during the Heian Period. It was proven when a large sword with a length of 117.0cm was excavated from an old mound in Kumamoto.

Until today, the Nodachi and its history remain shrouded in mystery. There are no available accounts on when the Nodachi was first used on the battlefield. However, it was known to be a powerful weapon that required high levels of skill and expertise.

Nodachi – The Great Battlefield Sword

In history, the Samurai wielded various types of Nihonto. The most famous sword was the Katana, which became their primary sword.

Aside from the Katana, there were also other notable weapons used by the Samurai. One of these was the Nodachi or field sword. It was a long sword with a blade measuring around 3 Shaku or 90.9 centimeters without the handle.

Create Your Custom Sword

Custom Ninjato

Custom Nagamaki

Custom Nodachi

 

Like the Japanese Katana, the Nodachi was only wielded by the Samurai class. Those who belonged to other social classes were prohibited from using it.

The Chinese equivalent of the Nodachi was the Miao Dao, in terms of its length and weight. Its Western counterpart was the claymore, but it appeared less similar to the Nodachi.

Prohibition of Nodachi

The Samurai continued using the Nodachi until its decline. Its purpose on the battlefield started to disappear when shorter swords that were easier to carry were being introduced. Also, swordsmiths began to produce fewer Nodachi since these were time-consuming and expensive.

After the Siege of Osaka or Osaka Natsu no Jin in 1615, open field battles ended. Because of that, the Nodachi lost its relevance. Eventually, it mainly became a sword for ceremonies and rituals.

Also, the Bakufu government established a law that prohibited carrying large swords. Since then, swordsmiths had to comply with the standard measurements of swords that the government allowed.

As a result, long swords like the Nodachi were shortened. This is why finding old Nodachi in their original length was difficult to find. Most Nodachi that survived until today were those used for rites and ceremonies.

What Are the Myths About the Nodachi?

Like other Japanese Nihonto, there are several myths about the Nodachi, which are mostly about its impressive size. It measured around 3 Shaku or 90.9 centimeters which was longer and heavier than other Nihonto. Because of that, people believed that it was a legendary sword of the gods.

A Sword Used by the Gods

People believed that the Nodachi was a legendary sword used by the gods. Aside from its long and heavy blade, it had intricate designs, making people assume it was a mythical sword. Since its blade was almost 100cm long, some couldn’t believe that it was a practical weapon used for combat.

In fact, the Nodachi is a real Nihonto that existed since the 5th century, specifically during the Heian Period. Also, two swords with unreasonable sizes were unearthed from Japan’s olden mountains. One measured 117cm, while the other was 137cm.

These swords featured designs that resembled the Nodachi. However, these were replicated pieces from Japanese mythology, which was a request of the emperor.

The two gigantic swords were believed to be offerings of the emperors to the gods during the said period. They thought that these legendary gods used it to end battles.

A Sword that Brought Victory

In feudal Japan, Samurai armies offered the Nodachi to gods. It served as an offering for them to win wars, as most people believed. Because of that, they displayed these in shrines and temples for their patron gods. Other Samurai warriors used the sword during prayer before they headed off to war.

During the Edo Period, the Nodachi became a popular sword for ceremonies. This was also the time when it was starting to lose its purpose in battles.

Although there were no claims that offering the Nodachi brought victory, Samurai armies continued this practice throughout the centuries.