If you watch Japanese samurai movies or anime, it feels like the sword is the ultimate weapon that dominated every battle.
But historically, Japan wasn’t always a sword-fighting nation!
In fact, for centuries the spear (yari) and the bow were the real stars of the battlefield.
If you’re curious about that, you can check out this related article that explains why spears were actually stronger in many cases:
👉 Why the Spear Was Stronger Than the Sword in Samurai Times
https://japan-life-blog.com/jp-life/archives/131
Today, let’s dig into when the Japanese sword finally stepped into the spotlight—and why it happened much later than most people imagine.
🗡️ When Did Japanese Swordsmanship Begin?
Japanese kenjutsu (swordsmanship) started developing as a formal martial art around the late Muromachi period (14th–16th century).
Various “schools” of sword fighting (ryūha) appeared, each teaching different techniques and philosophies.
But just because swordsmanship existed doesn’t mean swords were dominating the battlefield yet.
🏹 Before Swords: Spears and Bows Ruled the Battlefield
During the Sengoku (Warring States) period (1467–1573), Japan saw massive, large-scale battles.
In those chaotic wars, the most practical weapons were:
- Spears (yari) – long reach, easy to train soldiers, extremely effective in formations
- Bows (yumi) – essential for long-distance combat
- Later matchlock guns – but these were large, noisy, and slow to reload
Swords were mostly:
- Backup weapons
- Status symbols worn by samurai
- Tools for very close-quarters emergencies
In short:
Swords looked cool, but spears and bows were the real MVPs.
(Again, if you want the full breakdown, that article explains it well: https://japan-life-blog.com/jp-life/archives/131 )
🌸 Swords Became Popular in…the Peaceful Edo Period?
It might sound ironic, but the sword became popular during peace, not war.
The Edo period (1603–1868) was a remarkably stable era with almost no large-scale battles.
Because there were no wars to fight, samurai turned toward:
- Martial arts training
- Philosophical refinement
- Cultural practices involving the sword
Kenjutsu schools flourished, and the sword became a symbol of discipline and identity rather than a practical battlefield weapon.
⚔️ The Only Time Swords Truly Saw “Real Combat”: The Meiji Restoration
The period when swords were actually used in real fights was surprisingly late—around the Meiji Restoration in 1868.
This was the chaotic end of the samurai era, when old and new political forces clashed.
Unlike the huge armies of the Sengoku period, these conflicts involved:
- Assassinations
- Street fights
- Small-scale skirmishes
- Arrests of political opponents
Groups like the Shinsengumi, anti-shogunate samurai, and pro-imperial fighters often clashed in narrow streets or indoors—perfect environments for close-range weapons.
🔍 Why Swords Instead of Spears or Guns?
It wasn’t about “coolness.” It was pure practicality.
✔ Spears were huge and impossible to carry in town
You can’t hide a 3–4 meter weapon while trying to sneak up on someone.
✔ Guns were large, slow, and very noticeable
Early Japanese firearms (matchlocks) were bulky and took a long time to reload.
They were terrible for undercover missions.
✔ Swords were the only weapon that didn’t look suspicious
In the Edo and late-Edo periods, samurai wore swords in everyday life.
Carrying a sword didn’t attract attention at all.
So if someone planned an arrest, a surprise attack, or an assassination…
A sword was the smartest tool for the job.
📝 Summary
- Swordsmanship began around the 14th–16th centuries
- Spears and bows dominated actual warfare for centuries
- Swords grew popular culturally during the peaceful Edo era
- The only time swords were widely used in real combat was the Meiji Restoration (around 1868)
- Swords worked best because they were effective, portable, and socially acceptable to carry
The truth is:
Samurai didn’t always rely on swords—but when Japan entered its final samurai chapter, the sword had its moment to shine.