Seven-Branched Sword
The seven-armed sword (Japanese七 支 刀, Kyujitai .七 枝 刀, Nanatsusaya no Tachi, Onyomi - reading also Shichishitō, kor Hangeul: 칠지 도 Chiljido ) is a 74.9 cm long iron sword with three each on both sides of the blade accreting tips. According to the Nihongi, the Korean Baekje Kingdom has AD 372 a year. the sword presented together with a mirror on Japan. The inscription states that it was a sign of the good relations of the alliance of the two countries. The sword was 1953 National Treasure (Category: Archaeological materials ) declared and is not open to the public, in Isonokami Shrine in Nara prefecture. Replicas of the sword are displayed in museums in Japan and Korea.
Overview
The blade of the sword is 65.5 cm long, the handle ( tsuka ) further 9.4 cm. The handle is broken off at the end. The sword was forged as a ceremonial sword of iron. The sword was preserved since ancient times in Isonokami Shrine. It was not until 1870, the covert of rust inscriptions were rediscovered by Shinto priests Masatomo Kan. The inscriptions, which consist of 60 characters that are as inlays of gold on both sides of the blade. Many scientists have sought since the rediscovery of the decipherment and interpretation of the inscriptions.
The archaeological and historical research is currently leading on from the interpretation of the inscription, that the sword was probably made at the time of the Eastern Jin Dynasty. To this end, the two characters are泰和as Taihe era name (Chinese太和, great harmony ') understood the emperor 366-371 Jin Feidi. In addition, it is believed that it is the seven -armed Shearing is mentioned in the Nihongi Nanatsusaya no Tachi.
The sword is as a historical document also important because it is a friendly alliance between Baekje and Japanese Wa Confederation, which with the date of origin of the sword 369 AD. falls in the same year in which after the Samguk Sagi, of a military confrontation between Baekje and Goguryeo in the Korean peninsula began "Chronicle of the Three Kingdoms ".
Inscriptions
The inscriptions of the sword are as follows ( black squares ■ are illegible characters):
Front:
「泰■四年十(一)月十六日丙午正陽造百錬(銕)七支刀(出)辟百兵宜供供候王■■■■作 」
" The Nanatsusaya no Tachi was ■ At noon on the sixteenth day of the eleventh month in the fourth year forged a hundred times. It can ward off enemies hundred and sent for use [ as a gift ] to the king. Manufactured by ■ or ■ redound to the benefit "
Back:
「先世 以来 未有 此 刀 百 济 王世(子)奇 生 圣 音 故 为 倭王 旨 造 传 示 后世」
"Never before has there been such a sword. The Crown Prince of the king of Baekje, born under the protection of the gods, let it ready for the King of Wa [= Japan ], hoping it may be passed on to future generations. "
The first four characters of the front to be understood as the year fourth year of Taiwa era. For this opinion is about the historian Kosaku Hamada, among others the second characters illegible supplemented with the first character泰to Ärabezeichnung泰和(Chinese太和, Pinyin Taihe ). The fourth year of this era corresponds to the year 369 according to the Gregorian calendar.