The Samurai Sword Tradition: Daisho and Their Significance

Samurai, often depicted as warriors with swords on their backs, were actually a more pragmatic and refined class. Their sword carrying tradition, known as daisho, played a crucial role in their history and culture. This article will delve into the specific practices and reasons behind the samurai wearing their swords in a prescribed manner.

Why Samurai Didn't Carry Swords on Their Backs

It is a misconception that samurai typically carried their swords on their backs. This modern perception is largely due to the influence of modern media and pop culture. In actuality, samurai wore their swords on their hips for several practical and cultural reasons. The wakizashi, a short sword, was about two feet long, which meant drawing it required lifting it over one's head. The katana, a longer sword, was also designed to be drawn from the side, making a back scabbard impractical and potentially dangerous. Hence, the tradition was to wear the swords on the side, as depicted in the image provided.

The Daisho: A Symbol of Samurai Status

The daisho, which consists of two swords, was a badge of status for samurai—akin to spurs and girdles for European knights. Depending on the period, a samurai's sword ensemble could consist of a tachi and tanto or a katana and wakizashi. The tachi was a cavalry saber worn suspended from the belt with the edge facing down. The tanto was often tucked underneath the belt.

The later katana and wakizashi were worn close to the body with the edges facing up. This style became more popular with the transition to infantry fighting, as it allowed for swift drawing and striking. The wakizashi was a backup weapon and often used for indoor combat or as a symbol of status in formal settings.

A Symbol of Deference and Authority

The practice of wearing daisho was not exclusive to samurai. During the Tokugawa Shogunate, a law was passed in 1629 requiring samurai to wear two swords on official business, while in 1683, another law banned commoners from carrying two swords. However, samurai were not required to own a perfectly matched set of swords. They were expected to change their swords to plain black-and-white fittings for formal occasions.

Some notable exceptions include the nodachi/odachi, which was worn off the hip due to its size (over 3 feet long), and the shogun's palace in Edo, where no swords were allowed under penalty of death, even for samurai guards. Jitte, a form of iron baton, became associated with state authority due to its use by shogun’s guards.

The Dual Wielding and Dueling Culture

While dual wielding was not common, there were instances where samurai practiced and even mastered this technique. Miyamoto Musashi, the legendary samurai, was famous for his dual wielding skills. However, the primary use of wakizashi was as a backup weapon, especially in indoor combat, as they were more practical for close quarters fighting.

The practice of carrying a katana at all times could be seen as inappropriate in certain venues, such as when visiting a superior. Samurai were expected to leave their full-length katana at the entrance and carry only the wakizashi. This gesture was both a sign of submission and deference, as visitors entrusted themselves to the hospitality of their host, and a pragmatic move as the wakizashi was better suited for indoor combat.

Getting Creative: Ashigaru and the Left-Hand Traffic Rule

While samurai wore their swords on the side, this did not apply to ashigaru, the common foot soldiers of the Sengoku period. Ashigaru, serving as pikemen and musketeers, were mostly conscripted peasants. Despite the lack of a strict law, few could afford the luxury of carrying a wakizashi, let alone both swords.

Due to the crowded and narrow streets of Japanese cities, the risk of accidentally knocking into a passerby's sword scabbard was a real concern. As samurai were haughty and often sought confrontation, these incidents resulted in many duels and pointless deaths. To reduce these incidents, shogun Ieyasu Tokugawa decreed that all traffic in Japan should be left-handed and that all samurai should wear their swords on the left side, irrespective of their actual handedness.

Conclusion

Samurai did not typically carry multiple swords for practical and cultural reasons. The tradition of wearing daisho was a symbol of their status and played a significant role in their daily lives. From the practical use of dual wielding to the symbolic meanings behind the swords, the samurai sword tradition is rich with history and culture. This article has explored the specific practices and reasons behind the samurai carrying their swords in a prescribed manner.