The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1904-02-28
JAPANESE WEAPONS.

In the Detroit Museum OF Art is an in
teresting collection of war implements of
Old Japan. The collection was made by
Mr. Frederick Stearns in Japan some fiji
teen years ago. when comparatively few
tourists from this quarter of the world
visited that country, and when Japanese
cities were surfeited with the implements
which were supplanted in 1870 by the in
PRODUCTION of modern weapons of warfare
and the abolition of the feudal system.
Two complete suits or armor are in the
collection. One of these dates from the
sixteenth century; the other is of more
modern date but exactly like il in all its
parts. complete suit OF armor as worn
by the Japanese soldiers of the higher
class previous to 1870 consists Of a helmet
chain mail in parts and breast armor. to-
gether with two hip pieces. Chain mail
pantalons, lined with silk brocade, pro-
tect 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 Shout
ders are protected by two pieces with fine
bronze open-work mountings. Upon these
are fittings in which in battles a small
flag is fastened bearing the crest or mono
gram of the wearer. Chain armor sleeves
protect the arms The back of the hand
is protected by embossed iron. A body
piece covers the chest and back, held
together by tyings of heavy silk green
braid In the back Of this are two sock
cts 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 n bronze disk
representing the sun. a pair of sandals
completes the outfit. This armor is ex-
ceedingly heavy and looks impregnable to
such weapons as were used
The lance and bow were noble weapons,
but the sword outranked them a sword
with the Japanese in feudal times was the
most important of all weapons in war and
for personal use. Iyeyasu. who was the
first great Shotgun of Tokugawa, 16lo-16Sa.
termed the word the Soul OF the Samu-
raj To him it was the most important
Of his possessions.
Upon this weapon the Japanese lavished
all the resources of their art. The forg
ing Of the blade became a high art, and
its experts won great honor and fame;
the making Of a famed blade was sub
ject of meditation and prayer; upon the
scabbari was lavished all the lacquerer's
skill: to the guard and other metal mount
ings were given an infinite variety of les
sons from nature and her creatures. and
from religions and symbolic legends. The
higher classes wore two. and the chill
dren Of these classes commenced early
in youth 10 wear wooden ones. The prop
er use Of the sword was made part az
the system OF education. and the cere-
monies attending lis use in everyday life J
were most elaborate and minute.
The abolition OF the Shogunate in 1855 |
was soon followed by 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 tourists. and thousands. I
deprived Of their ornaments. have been /
converted into more peaceful forms. such |
as knives. tools, etc.
\ time was in Japan when mans sta /
ton could be determined BY the sword he !
wore at his side, a person maguificently 1
CARRIED with an ordinary weapon would be /
adiudged to a low degree, while a poorly 1
dressed person wearing fine sword /
would be extended distinguished homage. /
\ fortune was invested in arms rich /
noble often possessed 1.Seo swords, some /
Of them costing $40, and the daimos :
WED with each other in owning elegant (
specimens of the armorers craft All i
the metal work of Japan, the beautiful I
designs. and exquisite hammering. are 4
due 10 the many wars. The ornamental /
ton OF the guard and swords accessories /
have been the craze of tourists and col |
lectors for thirty years.
The most important parts Of japanese 1
sword are: The tsuba or guard "a fat 1
piece Of metal usually circular or oval in /