Swords, shrouded in legends

Swords there, shrouded in legends that energized the invented and the real stories of murders and bloody confrontations. Sword - it's the only weapon in the fairy tale, and history has left a trace.

Semizuby sword

The document, which describes the early history of Japan, there was mention of the sword Nihon Shoki, belonging to Empress Jingu-shaman. At the end of the Second World War in Japan, Isonokami Shrine, we found an unusual sword with six branches (the seventh considered the blade). Time has left its mark on the state of the sword, but the inscription, which is able to decipher said, that it is a gift from the Japanese Emperor King of Korea. Isonokami Shrine and time, when the sword was made by Nihon Shoki, coincided with references to reliable sources in China, Japan and Korea. Thus, the actual confirmation of the legend was found.

Ulfberht

Viking swords Ulfberht that existed thousands of years, gained fame not only feats of arms, but also the quality of steel, which is the other peoples of Europe at that time was not available. Mild steel sword with a logo "+ ULFBERH + T" strength could only be compared with modern material. So quality steel Europe possessed only during the Industrial Revolution. There is a version that this steel, the Vikings brought from Iran and Afghanistan. And still do not know whether Ulfberht one person or group of artists.

Sword Kusanagi

Legend of the Kusanagi sword, known as the "sword in the snake", says that he was found in the body of a dragon with eight heads, who was killed by the god of storms and seas. Sword has always been a symbol of power and valor of Japanese emperors and an indication that the Japanese dynasty has a heavenly origin, and it comes from the sun goddess and has the full right to rule. For several centuries the sword has not been seen, but it is assumed that it is in the Atsuta sanctuary in Nagano. During his coronation Emperor bring to the ceremony, but since he is always wrapped in a cloth, no one really did not see it. Around the world are wondering whether there is a sword really. The documents and oral stories mention the sword, but it is not proof of its existence. At the end of World War II, when the Japanese emperor abdicated the divine origin of his power, he ordered all the same store and protect the imperial regalia, which sword and concerns.

Durandal

For several centuries in the rock above the chapel of Notre-Dame in Rocamadour, France, sticking holy sword Durandal, which at one time, according to legend, Roland stabbed Knight that he should not get the enemy. For more than ten centuries, pilgrims have visited this holy place until local authorities in 2011 did not cut out the sword from the mountains, and they brought him into the medieval museum. As always, there are doubts about the originality of the sword. Knight Roland - famous historical figures, and the battle in which he had died, mentioned in the documents, but it has occurred elsewhere in Ronsenval valley, and it is unlikely hero would be able to throw the sword for hundreds of kilometers. For the first time spoke about the sword monks chapel Rocamadour hundreds of years later, at the same time and there was a "Song of Roland". The fact that in the chapel of Ronald began his last journey.

Curse Muramasa swords

It is known that Muromasa - a Japanese swordsman and blacksmith, who, according to legend, constantly prayed to the gods that they gave him the swords of the most destructive force. The gods heard the master, and gave it the unique quality of a bloodthirsty demon swords. Since then, many owners of the sword or went mad, or were killed. The fact that the weapons must be constantly nourished with blood, and if the host for some time did not take part in the battles, then he died. Therefore, there was a version of the curse that Muramasa swords were awarded. As a result, the order of the shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu, who died almost all members of the family (his grandfather was killed by the sword, and his father and himself shogun they were injured), it was forbidden to use them. According to legend, the wife and adopted son of the Shogun were also killed by the sword. But perhaps it is not a curse, but the fact that these weapons are often used at that time in Japan, so it was very high quality, and its mass-produced master school Muramasa for centuries. And whatever happened to the family of the shogun, it can be considered a coincidence.

Swords Honjo Masamune

In contrast to the bloodthirsty sword Muramasa, who were officially banned in Japan, swords swordsman and blacksmith Masamune considered a national treasure. According to legend, when both masters competed, whose sword is better Masamune sword is lowered into the river not cut nothing worthy of death on his way, he touched, even the air, as opposed to weapons Muramasa. Another mysterious story connected with the Masamune. At the end of the Second World War he was one of the swords in the hands of a US soldier, Sergeant Koldo Bimoru, and he took it as a souvenir home. But neither the soldiers nor the sword were found. Despite the multi-million dollar cost and valuable sword collectors for decades and it has not managed to find a legendary sword.

Sword Joyeuse

The legendary sword that can change its color to thirty times, belonged to the Roman Emperor Charlemagne during the day. On a sunny day, according to legend, the sword shone brighter than the sun. Since 1271 two sword Joyeuse took part in the coronation ceremony in France, which simply could not be, because it is unique, so we can not determine which of them are true. The sword that is in the Louvre, has gone through many changes, and the oldest part of it is considered to handle, which dates back to 10-11 centuries, and the emperor died in 813 year, ie, the sword could not belong to him. In Austria, in the Imperial treasury it is the sword of Charlemagne, who also claims to be called Joyeuse. But she, too, dates back to the 10th century, which excludes all speculation. There is a version that the sword belonged to the leader of the Huns Attila, but connoisseurs of history and reject this version.

King Goujian of Yue Sword

In the crypt in China in 1965, archaeologists found an amazing sword. The fact is that, despite his age, and he was more than two thousand years, on the sword was no rust or damage, and the blade was so sharp that one member of the expedition was wounded. In addition, all impressed with filigree engraving, which could not be so well done at that time. Sword has become a real mystery to experts. When engraving the study, it was found that the sword belonged to a legendary king of Yue, and was mentioned in the 'Lost History of Yue. " According to legend, King Goujian of Yue in the collection, it was only a great and worthy of a sword made Heaven and Earth forces. Why is the sword has become timeless? Sword of the time use a high-level metallurgy technologies, resulting in received anticorrosive alloy from which the blade and executed. Apart from special alloys, swords are handled particularly compositions and scabbard were airtight, which helped to maintain the original appearance arms for two thousand years.

Tyson

Museum in Burgos, Spain, boasts one of its exhibit, namely, a sword that could belong to El Cid, participant and hero of the Reconquista of Spain, defends both Christians and Muslims. The enemies were afraid not only of the legendary hero, but the mention of the sword, as evidenced by the poem "The Word of El Side". Before the sword began to pass from generation to generation in the family False Marquis got his hands of King Ferdinand in 1516. In 1944 weapons deposited in the Museum of Military Art of Madrid, where he was the following 60 years. Once the Marquis sold sword for an exhibition at the Museum of Burgos, the information appeared in the Ministry of Culture, it is made later than the specified period, and could not belong to El Cid. But non-governmental expert refuted the statement of the ministry.

Sword in the Stone

At that time, as the legend of King Arthur belongs to the genre of folk tales and myths, there is evidence that the story of the sword in the stone can be a reality. In the chapel of the town Montesepi in Italy is a real sword in the stone, which can be a clue to the origin of the legend of Excalibur. Do not be amiss to recall the history of the canonization of the Tuscan knight Galgano Guidotti, who drove his sword in the stone, showing the Archangel Michael, that sin is also difficult to leave, as the sword to split the stone. The fact that originally the legend of Arthur mention of sword was not, as it appeared after the story with Tuscan knight. Many doubt that the sword of the Italian chapel really belonged to the Knights, but the fact that it was made in the 12th century, no doubt, since this was proved by researcher Luigi Garlaschelli from the University of Pavia as a result of radiocarbon dating.