The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1904-03-31
WEAPONS OF THE JAPANESE
Among Them the Sword Is the Most
Important and Is Finely
Made

In the Detroit Museum of Art is an
interesting collection of war imple-
ments of Old Japan. The collection was
made by Mr. Frederick Stearns in
Japan some Is years ago. whan COM
paratiyely few tourists from this quar-
ter of the world visited that country,
and when japanese cities were surfeit-
ed with the implements which were
supplanted in 1870 by the Introduction
OF modern methods of warfare and the
adjustment of the feudal system, says
the Detroit Tribune
Two complete suits of armor are in
the collection One of these dates back
from the sixteenth century; the other
is OF more modern date. but exactly
like it in all its parts A complete suit
OF armor as worn by the japanese SOL
diers Of the higher class previous to
1870 consists of a helmet, chain mail in
parts and breast armOr, together with
two hip pieces. Chain mail pantaloons.
lined with silk brocade, protect the
thighs They are worn under the hip
pieces. An iron mask covers in some
cases the entire visage. in others only
the nose, cheeks and chin, allowing the
eyes to be uncovered, and these are
protected by the broad helmet The
shoulders are protected by two pieces
with fine bronze open-work mornings.
Upon these are fittings in which in
battles a small flag is fastened bearing
the crest or monogram of the wearer.
Chain or armor sleeves protect the
arms, The back of the hand is protect
ed by embossed iron. A body piece COW
ers the chest and back, held together
by tyings of heavy silk green braid. In
the back of this are two sockets for the
banner pole. The helmet is made of
heavy lacquered iron. Two crests
branch from the front in a moon
shaped manner and between them a
bronze disk representing the sun. A pair
of sandals completes the outfit. This
armor is exceedingly heavy and looks
fmpregnable to such weapons as were
used
The lance ard bow were noble weap-
ons, but the sword outranked them.
sword with the Japanese in feudal
times was the most important of all
weapons in war and for personal use.
1yeyasu. who was the first great Sho-
gun of TOllugawa, 1610-1630 termed the
sword The Soul of the Samurai." To
him it was the most important of his
possessions.
Upon this weapon the Japanese Law
ished all the resources of their art. The
forging of the blade became high art,
and its experts won great honor ard
fame; the making Of famed blade
was subject of meditation and pray
er; upon the scabbard was lavished all
the laquerer's skill; to the guard and
other metal mountings were given an
infinite variety of lessons from nature
and her creatures and from the relig-
iouS and symbolic legends The higher
classes wore two, and the children of
these classes commenced in early youth
to wear wooden ones. The proper use
of the sword was made a part of the
system of education, and the cere-
monies attending its use in everyday
life were most elaborate and minute.
The abolition of the Shogunate in
1868 was soon followed by a decree
abolishing the wearing of the sword;
hence, there came into disuse hundreds
of thousands of beautifully decorated
weapons, which have been distributed
all over the world by purchasing tour
lists, and thousands, deprived of their
ornaments, have been converted into
more peaceful forms, such as knives,
tools, etc.
time was in Japan when a mans
station could be determined by the
sword he wore at his side. A person
magnificently CARRIED with an ordinary
weapon would be adjudged of low de-
gree, while a poorly dressed person
wearing a fine sword would be extend
ed distinguished homage. A fortune
was invested in arms. A rich noble Of
ten possessed 1900 swords, some of
them costing $1,400. and the daimios
We'd with each other in owning elegant
specimens of the armorer's craft All
the metal work Of Japan. the beautiful
designs, and exquisite hammering, are
due to the many wars. The ornamen-
tation of the guard and swords Access
series have been the craze of tourists
and collectors for 80 years.