Zanbato
Encyclopedia
A is an especially large type of Japan
ese sword
, the historical use of which is disputed. The sword closely resembles the Nodachi
or ōdachi
, however it differs from the Nodachi by having a ricasso
of approximately 12 to 18 inches (30-45 cm). This lends more credence to the theory of the sword having a practical use in feudal Japan. The increased length of the blade, along with the extra grip, would give it dual use both as a sword and as a polearm for attacking advancing cavalry. This style of Zanbatō sword can be found for sale in rural tourist shops and stands in Kyoto and Nara prefectures of Japan. This sword may have been inspired by the Chinese
zhan ma dao
(see below), as both were said to have been used for killing the horse and rider in one swing.
Such extremely long and curved Zanbatō swords did exist, and were solely used for ceremonial purposes. Experienced smiths often took it upon themselves to prove their talent by creating these so-called "Zanbatō" as a personal challenge. This led to the extremely long blades often seen in ancient depictions, some of which were so long (a dozen feet or more) that they could hardly be mistaken for something other than display pieces.
Chinese zhǎn mǎ dāo
A Chinese anti-cavalry weapon of the Song Dynasty written also as 斬馬刀 (zhǎn mǎ dāo) is of similar proportion to a Zanbatō, although it differs in form. Surviving examples include a sword that might resemble a nagamaki
in construction; it had a wrapped handle 37 cm (15 in) long, like the Zanbatō. However, the blade differed, having only a slight curve in the last half, whereas the Zanbatō's curve stretched the length of the blade and handle, similar to a katana
.
and video games. These interpretations often simply depict the weapon as an oversized sword or being imbued with magical properties. However, the weapon which most closely resembles such instances is the eku
, or "wooden oar".
A few notable series featuring Zanbatō include
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
ese sword
Sword
A sword is a bladed weapon used primarily for cutting or thrusting. The precise definition of the term varies with the historical epoch or the geographical region under consideration...
, the historical use of which is disputed. The sword closely resembles the Nodachi
Nodachi
A nodachi is a large two-handed Japanese sword. Some have suggested that the meaning of "nodachi" is roughly the same as ōdachi meaning "large/great sword". A confusion between the terms has nearly synonymized "nodachi" with the very large "ōdachi"...
or ōdachi
Odachi
An , was a type of long Japanese sword. The term nodachi, or "field sword", which refers to a different type of sword, is often mistakenly used in place of ōdachi. It is historically known as ōtachi....
, however it differs from the Nodachi by having a ricasso
Ricasso
A ricasso is a part of sword and knife blades. It is the section just above the guard or handle. It is sometimes unsharpened and unbevelled.The first unsharpened ricassos were found on Middle Bronze Age swords...
of approximately 12 to 18 inches (30-45 cm). This lends more credence to the theory of the sword having a practical use in feudal Japan. The increased length of the blade, along with the extra grip, would give it dual use both as a sword and as a polearm for attacking advancing cavalry. This style of Zanbatō sword can be found for sale in rural tourist shops and stands in Kyoto and Nara prefectures of Japan. This sword may have been inspired by the Chinese
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
zhan ma dao
Zhanmadao
The zhanmadao was a single-bladed anti-cavalry Chinese sword of the Song Dynasty.- General characteristics :The zhanmadao is a sabre with a single long broad blade, and a long handle suitable for two-handed use....
(see below), as both were said to have been used for killing the horse and rider in one swing.
Such extremely long and curved Zanbatō swords did exist, and were solely used for ceremonial purposes. Experienced smiths often took it upon themselves to prove their talent by creating these so-called "Zanbatō" as a personal challenge. This led to the extremely long blades often seen in ancient depictions, some of which were so long (a dozen feet or more) that they could hardly be mistaken for something other than display pieces.
Chinese zhǎn mǎ dāoZhanmadaoThe zhanmadao was a single-bladed anti-cavalry Chinese sword of the Song Dynasty.- General characteristics :The zhanmadao is a sabre with a single long broad blade, and a long handle suitable for two-handed use....
A Chinese anti-cavalry weapon of the Song Dynasty written also as 斬馬刀 (zhǎn mǎ dāo) is of similar proportion to a Zanbatō, although it differs in form. Surviving examples include a sword that might resemble a nagamakiNagamaki
The nagamaki is a Japanese pole weapon with a long and heavy blade with an equally long hilt, used by the samurai warriors of medieval Japan. The nagamaki is very much like the Japanese naginata or a glaive.-History:...
in construction; it had a wrapped handle 37 cm (15 in) long, like the Zanbatō. However, the blade differed, having only a slight curve in the last half, whereas the Zanbatō's curve stretched the length of the blade and handle, similar to a katana
Katana
A Japanese sword, or , is one of the traditional bladed weapons of Japan. There are several types of Japanese swords, according to size, field of application and method of manufacture.-Description:...
.
Zanbato in modern fiction
The fictional interpretation of the weapon consists of a large, wide blade attached to an extended, pole-like hilt. The sword, and variations of it, are used by many characters in animeAnime
is the Japanese abbreviated pronunciation of "animation". The definition sometimes changes depending on the context. In English-speaking countries, the term most commonly refers to Japanese animated cartoons....
and video games. These interpretations often simply depict the weapon as an oversized sword or being imbued with magical properties. However, the weapon which most closely resembles such instances is the eku
Eku
Eku is an ancient weapon of Okinawan kobudō that originated from an oar, approximately 160 cm in length...
, or "wooden oar".
A few notable series featuring Zanbatō include
- The mangaMangaManga is the Japanese word for "comics" and consists of comics and print cartoons . In the West, the term "manga" has been appropriated to refer specifically to comics created in Japan, or by Japanese authors, in the Japanese language and conforming to the style developed in Japan in the late 19th...
series Rurouni KenshinRurouni Kenshin, also known as Rurouni Kenshin and Samurai X, is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Nobuhiro Watsuki. The fictional setting takes place during the early Meiji period in Japan. The story is about a fictional assassin named Himura Kenshin, from the Bakumatsu who becomes a wanderer to...
, where major character Sagara SanosukeSagara Sanosukeis a fictional character from the Rurouni Kenshin manga and anime series created by Nobuhiro Watsuki. He is known as Sanosuke Sagara in the English adaptation of the anime and is nicknamed Sano...
uses a polearm he refers to as a Zanbatō as his signature weapon, - In NarutoNarutois an ongoing Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Masashi Kishimoto. The plot tells the story of Naruto Uzumaki, an adolescent ninja who constantly searches for recognition and aspires to become the Hokage, the ninja in his village who is acknowledged as the leader and the strongest of...
episode 137 - A Town of Outlaws, The Shadow of the Fuma Clan it is said that a Fuma's sword is one. - In the anime series Bleach the main character's sword takes the form of an Butcher knife styled Zanbato.
- In the manga/anime Naruto four of the seven swords of the mist(Kubikiribōchō, Samehada, Hiramekarei, and Shibuki) are zanbatos.
- They are also used in popular RPG seriesRole-playing video gameRole-playing video games are a video game genre with origins in pen-and-paper role-playing games such as Dungeons & Dragons, using much of the same terminology, settings and game mechanics. The player in RPGs controls one character, or several adventuring party members, fulfilling one or many quests...
Fire EmblemFire Emblemis a fantasy tactical role-playing video game franchise developed by Intelligent Systems , the maker of Advance Wars , and published by Nintendo...
, where it is a weapon specialized against mounted units - The game Super ScribblenautsSuper ScribblenautsSuper Scribblenauts is an emergent action puzzle game developed by 5th Cell and published by WB Games for the Nintendo DS handheld game console. The game was released in October 12, 2010...
also has a usable Zanbatō. - In the online game Dungeon Fighter Online the sword wielding Slayer class can use and specialize in the Zanbatos.
- In Samurai Sentai ShinkengerSamurai Sentai Shinkengeris the title of Toei Company's thirty-third entry in its long-running Super Sentai Series of Japanese tokusatsu television series. It premiered on February 15, 2009, the week following the finale of Engine Sentai Go-onger, and ended on February 7, 2010...
/Power Rangers SamuraiPower Rangers SamuraiPower Rangers Samurai is the nineteenth season of the American children's television series Power Rangers. With Saban Brands buying back the franchise, the show is produced by SCG Power Rangers and began airing on Nickelodeon and Nicktoons on February 7, 2011...
, a Zanbato-esque is wielded by ShinkenRed/Red Samurai Ranger. Also in Kaizoku Sentai GokaigerKaizoku Sentai Gokaigeris a 2011 Japanese tokusatsu drama in the Super Sentai Series. It is the 35th entry in Toei Company's Super Sentai Series, following Tensou Sentai Goseiger. It premiered on TV Asahi on February 13, 2011, joining Kamen Rider OOO and then Kamen Rider Fourze as a program featured in TV Asahi's Super...
one of Shinken Gokaioh's weapons is a Zanbatō similar to Shinkenred's.