Tachi facts for kids
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The tachi is a Japanese sword, which has a strongly curved blade and is longer than a katana. It was used on the battlefield before katana was, so it is considered to be older. The word Tachi translates as "the soul of bushi" (soul of samurai).
When the katana began to be widely used the tachi sword became a court sword for ceremonies. It looks very richly decorated with traditional cord wrappings and a specially designed handle. The length of a tachi blade was around 30.70 inches (about 75cm) Because of its length the tachi was a cavalry sword and was mainly worn by horsemen. The strongly curved blade also made it easy to make slicing blows. Even if the tachi is a very long sword it is light enough to be handled with one hand. The tachi had a long enough hilt to hold it with two hands. It was especially useful for warriors who were not riding.
The tachi was worn hung to the belt with the cutting-edge down, unlike the katana which was worn with the cutting-edge pointing upwards. Not all tachi were the standard size. Small ones were called ko-dachi. If the sword was longer than the standard one it was called o-dachi.
The tachi that can be seen in museums have one or more chips along the back of the sword, while the cutting edge looks almost untouched and mirror polished. The experts explain that Samurai made the smallest possible moves with their tachi to kill the enemy. Thus when both swords were about to collide, the samurai both turned their swords and let only the blunt back (mune) of the blades hit one another. The cutting edge was used for finish touches, namely for cutting the human body.
Related pages
Images for kids
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A katana modified from a tachi forged by Masamune. Sōshū school. 14th century, Kamakura period. Important Cultural Property. Tokyo National Museum. As it was owned by Ishida Mitsunari, it was commonly called Ishida Masamune.
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Daishō style handachi sword mounting. 16th－17th century, Azuchi–Momoyama or Edo period.
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Comparison between the tangs (nakago) of a katana (left) and tachi (right). The signature (mei) on the tachi tang was inscribed in such a way that it would always be on the side of the tang facing outward when either sword was worn.
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By Nagamitsu. Bizen Osafune school.
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Nikkō Sukezane, by Sukezane. Bizen Fukuoka-Ichimonji school. This sword was owned by Tokugawa Ieyasu.
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By Sukezane. This sword was owned by Kishū Tokugawa family.
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Koryū Kagemitsu, by Kagemitsu. Bizen Osafune school. This sword was owned by Kusunoki Masashige.
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Mikazuki Munechika, by Sanjō Munechika. A Yamashiro Sanjō school. Late 10th century, Heian period. National Treasure. Tokyo National Museum. This sword is one of the "Five Swords under Heaven". (天下五剣 Tenka Goken)
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Dojikiri, by Yasutsuna. Ko-Hōki (old Hōki) school. 12th century, Heian period, National Treasure, Tokyo National Museum. This sword is one of the "Five Swords Under Heaven". (天下五剣 Tenka Goken)
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A tachi forged by Rai Kunitoshi. Late Kamakura period. (top) Katana style mounting, Early Meiji period. (bottom)
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A tachi forged by Osafune Kanemitsu. Nanboku-chō period. (top) Tachi mounting, Late Edo period. (bottom)
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Itomaki-no-tachi style sword mounting, for tachi by Tsuguyoshi, 18th century.
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Hilt (tsuka) and handguard (tsuba) of tachi. Mid-Edo period.
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Hilt (tsuka) and handguard (tsuba) of tachi. Late Edo period.
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Various types of sword koshirae, a device used to carry a sword in the tachi style (cutting edge down).
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Line drawing showing the correct method of wearing a tachi while in armour.
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See also
In Spanish: Tachi para niños
