In an extraordinary find that has piqued the interest of both archaeologists and historians, a 7.5-foot-long iron sword was excavated from a 1,600-year-old burial mound in Nara, Japan. This massive weapon, too unwieldy for actual combat, is thought to have had a ceremonial role, possibly aimed at shielding the deceased from malevolent entities in the afterlife. Alongside the sword, a bronze mirror resembling a shield was also discovered, further enhancing the significance of this ancient tomb.
A Remarkable Find in Nara
During an excavation of the Tomio Maruyama burial mound near Nara, archaeologist Riku Murase from the Nara City Archaeological Research Center made a surprising discovery. He unearthed an iron sword measuring an astonishing 7.5 feet (2.3 meters) in length. The sword’s impressive size left Murase astonished. “I was taken aback,” he noted. “It was so lengthy that I questioned its authenticity.”
Discovered in late November, the sword is part of the Tomio Maruyama kofun, a burial mound that dates back to the fourth century A.D. While similar dakō swords have been found in other ancient Japanese tombs, none have matched the remarkable size of this one. According to Murase, “It is double the size of any other sword discovered in Japan to date.”
The Importance of the Tomio Maruyama Kofun
The Nara region is famous for its numerous burial mounds known as “kofun,” which were built during the Kofun period from A.D. 300 to 710. There may be as many as 160,000 such mounds throughout Japan, varying in size and often serving as memorials for individuals of high status. The Tomio Maruyama kofun, the site of the oversized sword’s discovery, is one of Japan’s largest, with a diameter exceeding 350 feet (100 meters) and a height reaching up to 32 feet (10 meters).
While the mound may have been designed to honor someone related to the imperial Yamato family, no human remains have been found. The excavation instead revealed a large coffin along with various artifacts from the Kofun period, including iron agricultural tools, copper vessels, and dining utensils.
Treasures of Kofun Metalwork
In addition to the sword, the recent excavation at Tomio Maruyama kofun also uncovered a large bronze mirror shaped like a shield. This artifact measures about 2 feet (60 centimeters) long and 1 foot (30 centimeters) wide and is believed to have been placed in the tomb to guard against evil spirits. Kosaku Okabayashi, deputy director at Nara Prefecture’s Archaeological Institute of Kashihara, emphasized the significance of these discoveries, noting that they illustrate the advanced metalworking techniques of the Kofun period. “They are true masterpieces of metalwork from that era,” he remarked.
The Ceremonial Function of Dakō Swords
Stefan Maeder, a specialist in Japanese swords and ancient sword-making, pointed out that the undulating or wavy dakō swords, like the one found in Nara, were likely intended for ceremonial use. “I wouldn’t categorize them as common,” Maeder explained. “They are prestigious items associated with high society.” He also highlighted a tradition in Japan of presenting oversized swords to deities or powerful spirits—a practice that continued into later centuries and remains evident in Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples today.
The unique wavy design of dakō swords may represent a dragon or snake, imbuing them with an implied magical quality, even if it did not enhance their effectiveness as weapons. Maeder suggested that these swords might symbolize a spiritual link between Japan and the heavens—a concept sometimes reflected in tomb art and on the swords themselves through depictions of constellations like the Big Dipper (Ursa Major).
Conclusion
The unearthing of the 7.5-foot-long sword in Nara’s Tomio Maruyama burial mound provides an intriguing insight into Japan’s ancient history. This large weapon, likely intended for ceremonial purposes, highlights the rich cultural and spiritual legacy of the Kofun period. Together with the bronze mirror, the sword stands as a testament to the exceptional craftsmanship and profound spiritual beliefs of a society that sought to safeguard its deceased from malevolent forces—even in the afterlife.
