Reasons To Shorten Nakago?

[Schmoopy]

I was wondering, for what kinds of reasons would one opt to shorten the nakago?

 

I do know that there are instances of swords like long tachi shortened to meet rules and regulations, but were there reasons in terms of practical applications?

[Kronos]

As in just shortening the Nakago and leaving the blade as is? I'm only familiar with one reason and that being to fit it into different mounts, to fit in kyu-gunto mounts for example. I suppose another practical reason would be for single handed use as an uchigatana although I haven't heard of this happening. Speaking more broadly blades were shortened for many reasons, for example:

• If a fatal flaw developed near the nakago the rest of the blade could be saved for use.
• Cutting down long tachi from the kamakura that were designed for mounted combat to be practical with the changing nature of warfare.
• When changing owners to better suite the new owner.
• To fit the sword laws introduced by the Tokugawa.

There are probably a couple more but they're the main ones.

[Schmoopy]

 

• If a fatal flaw developed near the nakago the rest of the blade could be saved for use.
• Cutting down long tachi from the kamakura that were designed for mounted combat to be practical with the changing nature of warfare.
• When changing owners to better suite the new owner.
• To fit the sword laws introduced by the Tokugawa.

Ah, that makes sense. A shift away from mounted combat would've definitely shortened a lot of blades.

[Ken-Hawaii]

There's an old article I've published here before, Jason, that should answer your question:

 

The early regulations relating to the length of blades have been mentioned, several attempts were made at reducing the number of sword wearers, as will now be seen:

    In the second year of Kencho (1250), Hojo Tokiyori prohibited ordinary people from carrying long swords.  This regulation was enforced by Akashi Kanetsuna, since then, common people and all priests carried long Kogatana called Wakizashi no Tachi.

    In Tensho XVI (1588), Hideyoshi made a proclamation to obtain from common people the surrender of their swords.  Being a cunning man, he announced that it was his intention to build a Daibutsu Temple in Kyoto, and that he required thousands of nails, and he wished people to hand over their swords so that they might acquire merit towards a future life by stopping their earthly fights and contributing towards a religious cause.  But people were less interested in a problematic paradise than in actually protecting themselves, and they did not rise to his bait.

    In Genna VIII, the Shogun Tokugawa Iyetada prohibited common people from wearing swords to avoid brawls; the Tachi was called then O Wakizashi.

    In Kwanyei XVII (1640), Tokugawa Iyemitsu prohibited the attendants of Bujin from carrying tachi.

    In Kwambun X (1670), Tokugawa Iyetsuna issued a regulation making the length of tachi 2'8"-9", and o-wakizashi 1'8", and anyone carrying a longer sword was liable to punishment.

    In Tenna III (1683), Tokugawa Tsunayoshi reiterated the prohibition to common people to wear the long sword, but allowed them to carry a tanto; musicians and painters, even when of the Samurai class, were debarred from carrying a big sword.

    In Kwansei X (1798), it was decided that any sword exceeding 1'8" should be termed Naga Wakizashi, and anyone carrying such a sword was liable to punishment.  Later, the length was reduced to 1'5".

    Finally, in Meiji IX (1877), the Haitorei was issued prohibiting the wearing of swords, except the one sword belonging to soldiers and police when in uniform.

 

Ken

 

[Shugyosha]

One daimyo was in the fortunate position of having two Masamune dai to and had one shortened to make a a dai sho....

 

I guess it might also be done to make a sword fit a replacement koshirae if having one made specifically wasn't an option.

[Grey Doffin]

It has been done to hide evidence of retemper.  If retempering leaves mizu-kage (misty line rising diagonally from the ha-machi) or a hamon that stops short of the machi on a blade that has already been shortened, shortening the blade again will erase those.

Grey

[Schmoopy]

Thanks for the great information, everyone!

 

Also, great detail, Ken. Thank you for that.