Seven-branched sword

This cursed sword is owned by Isonokami Shrine in Furu, Tenri City, Nara Prefecture. It is also called "Nanatsusaya no Tachi." It is a forged iron sword with a total length of 74.9 cm and a blade of approximately 65 cm, and has a gold inlay inscription (61 characters) on the front and back of the blade. The inscription, which begins with "Taiwa 4th year (369), May 10th (6th), Heigo Shoyang," reads "Seven Branched Sword," and it can be interpreted as a cursed sword brought by the "Prince of Baekje" to the "King of Wa." Based on an example such as the entry for September of the 52nd year of the reign of Empress Jingu in the "Nihon Shoki," which reads, "Kutei and others accompanied Chikumanagahiko on a pilgrimage and presented him with a seven-branched sword, a seven-fold mirror, and various other valuable items," some have suggested that the sword was presented by the King of Baekje as a token of his submission, but nowhere in the inscription does it refer to a presentation. In contrast to the presentation theory, the theory that it was a gift from the King of Baekje has also been asserted, but it is necessary to interpret it properly based on the inscription itself in the context of the situation in East Asia at the time. It is also important to note that the sword was made by the "Heir to Baekje," not the "King of Baekje." Around 369, the power of Baekje increased, and in 371, the power of Baekje invaded Pyongyang, and King Kokokugen of Goguryeo was killed in battle. The situation on the Baekje side must also be taken into consideration. The Seven-Branched Sword, which had been handed down for a long time at Isonokami Shrine, was considered sacred in Shinto rituals and was also called the Six-Branched Sword and the Six-Hoko. It is also noteworthy that there are no holes for the pegs, and the stem is short.

[Masaaki Ueda]

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

奈良県天理市布留(ふる)に鎮座する石上(いそのかみ)神宮所蔵の伝世呪刀(じゅとう)。「ななつさやのたち」ともよぶ。全長74.9センチメートル、刀身およそ65センチメートルの鍛鉄の刀で、刀身の表と裏とに金象眼(きんぞうがん)の銘文（61字）がある。「泰（和）四年（369）五月十（六）日丙午正陽」で始まるこの銘文には「七支刀」とあり、「百済(くだら)王世子」が「倭(わ)王」にもたらした呪刀であることが判読される。『日本書紀』の神功(じんぐう)皇后52年9月の条に「久氐(くてい)等、千熊長彦(ちくまながひこ)に従ひて詣(いた)り、則(すなわ)ち七枝刀一口、七子鏡(ななつこのかがみ)一面及び種々の重宝を献る」とある例などに基づいて、百済王が服属の証(あかし)として献上した刀と解釈する説があるけれども、銘文のどこにも献上を意味する文言はない。献上説に対して百済王からの下賜説も主張されているが、当時の東アジアの情勢のもとで銘文自体に即して正当に釈文することが必要である。作刀の主体が「百済王」ではなく、「百済王世子」であったことも見逃せない。369年のころは百済の勢力が高まり、371年には百済の勢力は平壌に侵入して、高句麗(こうくり)の故国原(ここくげん)王は戦死する。そうした百済側の状況も考慮しなければならない。石上神宮では長く伝世し、神事でも「七支刀」は神聖視されて、「六(むつまた)刀」「六鉾(ほこ)」ともよばれていた。目釘(めくぎ)穴がなく、茎(なかご)の部分が短いことも注意される。

［上田正昭］

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