1700-year-old demon-fighting sword and mystical mirror uncovered in Japan
This discovery was made in November 2022 at the Tomio Maruyama burial mound situated on Honshu, a Japanese island. According to experts, these combined findings can be categorized as national treasures.
7:47 PM EST, January 11, 2024
The Sword for Fighting Demons
The sword measures approximately 102 inches in length, and its width is around 2.4 inches. It has a unique wave-like shape resembling that of a snake, classifying it as a dakō. The longest dakō sword discovered until now had a length just over 39 inches. However, the average length of these blades usually measures around 31 inches.
Based on expert opinion, such a large sword wouldn't have been utilized in combat. Instead, its role was focused more on the fight against demons and evil spirits. The size of the sword was likely intended for enhanced power.
The bronze daryu mirror also played a part in warding off demons. It has a shield-like shape with dimensions of 25 by 12 inches. Additional features include a knob on the back for holding and intricately carved designs. This is the first-ever mirror of this type discovered in Japan.
"These discoveries indicate that the technological advancements of the Kofun period (300-710) were more significant than we initially perceived. These items are considered metallurgical masterpieces of that era," told Kosaku Okabayashi, deputy director of the Archaeological Institute in Nara prefecture, to Kyodo News.
The Tomio Maruyama tumulus is acknowledged as the largest in Japan. It has a staggering diameter of 358 feet and belongs to a prominent family. The individual who was buried with the sword and mirror could have been actively involved in military as well as religious operations.
Archaeologists have been studying the tomb since 2018. Smaller burial mounds that are similar in nature are scattered throughout Japan. As per LiveScience, there could be an impressive total of up to 160,000 such configurations.
