While performing excavations of a burial mound that is 1,600 years old and that is close to Nara City, Japanese archaeologists were able to find a huge iron sword that had a length of 7.5 feet, or 2.3 meters. On top of this, they were also able to unearth a shield-like bronze mirror.
According to Live Science, the sword is too big to be used as an actual combat weapon. Hence, experts believe that the sword was a memento to protect the buried person against lurking evil spirits.
Demon Slaying Weapon
Ancient Origins reports that the huge sword is the biggest that was found on the island. Archaeologist Riku Murase from the Archaeological Research Center in Nara City expresses surprise over this finding.
Murase found the sword as the Tomio Maruyama burial mound was being excavated during the latter parts of November. This burial can be found to the west of Nara city and it is dated back to the 400s.
Live Science reports how this weapon serves as an illustration of the "dakō," which are swords that have undulating or wavy blades that are similar to Indonesian knives. While such kinds of swords were spotted in prehistoric tombs of the Japanese, this particular one has an exceptional size. Murase expresses how this iron sword was twice as big as the other spotted ones.
According to Ancient Origins, it is suspected that the huge sword was designed to specifically be a demon-slaying weapon. More specifically, it was meant to be a weapon for engaging in spiritual warfare across the afterlife, where both yurei (ghosts) and Oni (demons) aimed to capture the soul of the deceased.
With this, the researchers suspect that the giant sword and the shield-like mirror had ceremonial value. They may have been included in the grave to serve as weapons for shooing away evil spirits as well as thieves. Ancient Origins reports how the weapons may have served their purpose, given how the tomb was never invaded throughout the past 1,600 years.
Tomio Maruyama Kofun Burial Mount
According to Live Science, the Tomio Maruyama Kofun burial mound that was seen to house the sword is one of the largest mounds in the entire country. It has a height of over 10 meters and a diameter of over 100 meters. Murase says that this kofun could have commemorated the burial of a relative of the royal Yamato family. However, upon excavating the mound, only a huge coffin was unearthed, void of any remains from humans.
Japan Forward reports that after this discovery was announced, various researchers flocked to the site to see the artifacts. They were left in awe by the sword and mirror that were unearthed.
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