Forged in 1446, the Norimitsu Odachi is Japan’s Longest Sword

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The Norimitsu Odachi sword from Japan is so large that it was said to have been wielded by a giant. Apart from the basic knowledge of it being forged in the 15th century AD, this impressive sword is shrouded in mystery.

Norimitsu belongs to the famous line of swordsmiths that began in the Oei Bizen school in 1394 and continued until the end of Bizen around 1428.

The ōdachi was used as a weapon, but because of its magnificent appearance, it was often used as an offering to kami, a Shinto shrine. For example, Ōyamazumi Shrine, which is said to be a treasure house of Japanese swords and armor, is dedicated to the national treasure Ōdachi, which was dedicated by Emperor Go-Murakami, and ōdachi, which was dedicated by Ōmori Naoharu and killed Kusunoki Masashige -Wikipedia

The longest-known ōdachi is the Haja-no-Ontachi, the Great Evil-Crushing Blade. Its length is 183 inches, and it weighs 165 pounds.

The Haja-no-Ontachi resides at the Hanaoka Hachiman Shrine in Yamaguchi. The shrine accepted the sword in 1859 as a donation by parishioners who sympathized with imperial patriots. It is kept in the Treasure House, which is closed to the public.

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Japanese swords made with traditional methods are not forged curved. They become curved during the heat-treating process. But something this big and this heavy would likely behave a lot differently. It would probably deform significantly in the heat-treating process if done the same way.

The Odachi, or Nodachi, is a long curved sword used in Japanese martial arts such as Ninjutsu and Bujutsu. Odachi/Nodachi, or the O Tachi, meaning great sword, is longer and heavier than a Katana. It was used to attack mounted warriors through traditional slashes and thrusts.

During the Edo period, the Odachi was used during ceremonies and sometimes placed in Shinto shrines as an offering to the gods. The Odachi may have also showcased a swordsmith’s skills, as it was not an easy blade to manufacture. -Ancient Origins

The katana (longest), wakizashi (mid-sized), and tanto (shortest) swords have become an iconic symbol of the Japanese Samurai tradition.

Several ceremonial Odachi exist in Shinto shrines and temples today. Odachi displayed in shrines were never intended to be used as actual weapons and were made purely for show.

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The long length of the ōdachi did not allow samurai to carry them on their waists like standard swords during battle. There is no exact size of an ōdachi. The sword would have a blade length of around 36 inches.

There were two ways to carry such a long blade. The first way is to have it on your back, unsheathing it before a battle begins. Some took the ōdachi by hand while still in the sheath. During the Muromachi era, samurai carried the ōdachi and had a second soldier to help draw the sword.

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Ōdachi swordplay styles differed from other Japanese swords, focusing on downward cuts.

The ōdachi was used as a large anti-cavalry weapon and could strike down a horse as it came forward.

The long reach, hefty weight, and large slashing area of the blade offered advantages over spears, lances, and smaller swords in cavalry-on-cavalry situations.

This blade was forged from one piece, similar to the conventional Japanese katana, and not from different pieces.

Specifications of the Ōdachi Norimitsu

• Total length: 148 inches
• Nagasa: cutting edge: 89.3 inches
• Sori: curvature: 2.0 inches
• Nakago (tang): 59 inches
• Blade thickness: 0.92 inches
• Habaki: collar holds the blade in scabbard: 2.30 inches
• Weight: 32 lbs
• Mei: blade signature, Bishu Osafune Norimitsu
• Location: Kibitsu Shrine in Okayama Prefecture
• Production date: August 1446, Muromachi period
• Sugata -blade shape: Shinogi-zukuri, maru-mune, bo-hi with maru-dome
• Hada-grain pattern: Itame
• Hamon-temper pattern: Ko-gunome, choji with tobiyaki and kinsuji

Japan is known for sword-making, and Japanese swordsmiths have created many blades. Today, we are familiar with the katana due to its association with legendary samurai.

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Nevertheless, other types of lesser-known swords were produced over the centuries in Japan, none more spectacular than the 12-foot-long Great Evil-Crushing Blade, Haja-no-Ontachi.

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Douglas Pilarski is an award-winning writer & journalist based on the West Coast. He writes about luxury goods, exotic cars, horology, tech, food, lifestyle, equestrian and rodeo, magazine features, and millionaire travel.

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